LEAVE NOTHING BEHIND

How can we who died to sin still live in it? (Romans 6:2). If we are to stay spiritually fresh we must break decisively with everything of which Christ cannot approve. We must get rid of everything that mars our relationship with the Master. This means that we must make up our minds that anything the Lord speaks to us about must go. There is to be no trifling with Him. A gardener who works in an Evangelical Conference Centre tells how, during the first two or three days of a conference, Christians are keen to obey the signs that say, "Do not litter." They go out of their way to carry unwanted paper to the litter bins. After four or five days have passed, however, he finds that people grow tired of looking for the bins and hide their unwanted paper under the bushes. They have enough conscience to hide the paper, but not enough to get rid of it. Do not let this matter of getting rid of the things of which Christ disapproves end in a compromise or a stalemate. Look down into the hidden recesses where your sins may have been tucked away, and bring them all out - every one. They will plead to be left alone, but bring them all out. Not a thing must be left behind. Don't be content with a conscience that will hide sins but not get rid of sins. If I had to put into one word the biggest single barrier to maintaining spiritual freshness, it would be procrastination (postponement). So be decisive - beginning today! Prayer: Father, I have put my hand to the plow, and I do not intend to look back. This shall be no halfway business. Help me to bring to You everything that needs to be dealt with today. Amen. [Everyday with Jesus Bible, Holman Bible Publishers, Devotions by Selwyn Hughes, 2003].