Looks good, doesn’t it? An American classic – peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Second daughter loves peanut butter. The rule in her home is that no one opens the jar except her, so she can get the full effect of fresh peanut butter fragrance! Back in 2007, though, our favorite brand wasn’t available. Somehow, salmonella invaded their plant. The peanut butter was linked to 425 cases of salmonella across the United States. One article estimated the cost to the economy from one salmonella contamination at a billion dollars.
What’s the cost of sin in our lives? Just as the salmonella outbreak, the end results are not immediately apparent, but eventually cause and effect are apparent. Moses was aware of this as he led Israel. They would regret not following God’s will:
But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out. (Numbers 32:23)
It doesn’t take much sin. Remember the list from Revelation 21:8? If anyone can convince me they’ve never, ever, told a lie – black, white, good reasons or bad – I will be shocked. It’s one of the first rebellious things we do as we learn to talk. “Did you _____,” our parent asked and our immediate response was, “No!”
God knows we’ve sinned. He knew there would be a fall. It had happened before, by creatures He had created. They, as we, cry “Unfair!” but He isn’t. His judgment comes following a process whereby we may learn and use what we’ve learned to come closer to Him.
Jesus said it:
Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. (Matthew 18:14)
Peter remembered that and repeated it:
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
Coming to repentance means recognizing that there is sin in our life, even if we think it is small, insignificant and can’t possibly be as bad as the horrible sins of those around us. In the Bible, leaven is often used as an example of a small amount of sin. Paul used that analogy in his letter to the Galatians:
A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. (Galatians 5:9)
Once we recognize that even small sins contaminate, just as a small bit of salmonella contaminated, what are we to do?
What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. (Psalms 116:12-13)
Then, build your faith through His word.
I think of the scripture about the "Little foxes that spoil the vine" Cute little things they may seem but with the potential of great damage. Old Barney Fife in Mayberry used to say, "Nip it in the bud" LOL he had some great wisdom there.
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