He has used shovels; pick axes and an electric power saw to get at the roots. Working diligently, he has dug, chopped and sawed his way through a tangle of root bed in order to eventually have a level area on which a new patio will be built.

As I watched this spectacle over the past week I thought about the root bed of sin and how it's roots burrow deeply into our lives. The older we are (as in the neighbors tree) the deeper the entanglement of roots go.

I thought about the impossibility of purging ourselves of sin, as I viewed the hard labor of the contractor's employee. He has used multiple tools and yet has not been able to remove all evidences of the tangle of roots. In fact, he would probably need to dig at least twenty feet, or more, to get every root out of the ground. The tree was very tall and large.

If we had to work that hard to remove sin's roots from our life most of us would simply fall in an exhausted heap – and the sin would remain. God knew we could not/would not be able to do such a thing.

Thankfully, He provided a Savior for us, our Lord Jesus Christ, and made possible the indwelling of His precious Holy Spirit. That wonderful duo identifies and destroys sin and it's roots while freeing us from sin's bondage and curse.

The miracle of forgiveness and conversion is an instantaneous act of God set in motion by our repentance and obedience. No shovels, pick axes or power saws are used in this battle against sin and it's pervasive roots. Rather, the dynamic power of God and the efficacious blood of Jesus set us free.

Now, take a big, deep, appreciative breath and shout, "Hallelujah."

I pray the Lord blesses you today.

Warmly, in His love and life,

Roland Scroggins

© 2006