Hidden Sin

While having a home resided, I experienced a real shock. This was an older home with hardboard siding. It was being replaced with new vinyl siding. The old exterior appeared like it was still in good condition except the paint was badly peeling.

Hidden Damages
While the contractors were removing a section of the old hardboard, I was stunned to see the backer board (the substrate surface) looking like swiss cheese and thousands of carpenter ants scurrying around do to being exposed. There were some areas where no remnant of backer board remained, only powdery wood shavings proof of the mighty little workforce doing their business. Before removing the old boards, there was no visible evidence of ants being present inside or outside the house.

Allegory from Nature
While talking with a friend about the situation, he remarked, “the house is kind of like a life with sin.” Sometimes sin remains hidden (not from God) but it can be hidden from others. Seen or unseen sin’s destruction is real and can be extensive, just like the damage from the ants.

“The one who conceals his sins
will not prosper,
but whoever confesses and
renounces them will find mercy.”
Proverbs 28:13

Fortunately, the home could be repaired and reconstructed with new materials, some money and a little extra work. Like the home, a life damaged by sin’s destructiveness can also be restored. Restoring broken people requires the forgiveness and cleansing power of Jesus Christ. God alone has the resources and ability to rebuild and transform a shattered life.

“How joyful is the one
whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered!
How joyful is a person whom
the Lord does not charge with iniquity
and in whose spirit is no deceit!“
Psalm 32:1-2

For Further Study
Read and meditate on Psalm 32, Proverbs 28:13 and Hebrews 4:13. Has the Carpenter, Jesus Christ, done rebuilding and restoration in you? If not, don’t be deceived by thinking your sin is not visible, no one will know, or it’s not hurting anyone. Sin is a destructive evil but through Christ we can have the hope of receiving mercy.

Prayer
Father God, thank You for being the God of restoration. You forgive us and reconcile us to Yourself through Jesus Christ. I am so grateful that the ravages of my sin can be made whole and new through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Holy Father, I am indebted to You for overhauling my soul by the touch of Your hand – the Master’s touch. You are the God who can take what is about to collapse or has been obliterated and rebuild a life on the solid foundation that will last for eternity. Thank You for Your precise and complete care.

Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay.