“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” I John 1:9

Marvin, I, and a friend were driving through the Joshua Tree National Park in southeastern California and stopped to take pictures of the cactus plants.

Norm asked me to take his picture standing beside a big cactus plant. What we didn’t realize was that the cactus prickles are a lot like porcupine needles. They hook the clothes skin, shoes — anything — of anyone who gets too close.

Well, Norm got too close and ended with his clothes and shoes covered in prickles. When Marvin tried to help remove them, they stuck to his hand. What to do? We didn’t have a pair of pliers or tweezers to pull them out.

We continued our drive — Marvin with a ball of cactus prickles clinging to his finger and Norm covered with them. Both men were in pain!

A short time later we came upon a car parked by the side of the road. We stopped and asked the occupant if he had a pair of pliers. He not only produced a pair, but proceeded to pull out all the cactus prickles. What relief! The kindness of this man was wonderful. He told us that he understood — he had made the same mistake.

Spiritual application? How often do we get too close to sin and then have to suffer the consequences. Too much food, alcohol, gambling, ungrateful attitudes, and criticism, to name a few. Often others near us get embroiled with the same sin.

But we have a Savior! Just as the man by the side of the road saved us, so Jesus will save us from our sins. He will forgive and remove them,

“He will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

Question. Are you stuck with sins that you can’t get rid of? Ask Jesus to do it. He will!

Pray this prayer. “Lord Jesus, I confess that I am caught in the sin of _______. I can’t get rid of it. Will You please forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness? Thank you so much! Amen.”

By Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• Finished with Sin
• The Sin Tracker
• A Lost Art

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