Small But Painful

I had an infected toe this past week. Actually, it wasn't just an infected toe. At the risk of grossing you out, it was a really bad case of athlete's foot. The crack in between the toes felt like it infected the whole toe. It hurt almost as much as when I fractured my ankle many years ago. One little sore toe impacted my whole ability to walk.

Isn't that just like sin? Sin can crowd out our whole relationship with God. God forgives us unconditionally, but sin does have an impact. If sin did not have an impact, then much of the New Testament epistles, much of the first half of Romans, etc. would not exist. It is possible to "quench the Holy Spirit" (1 Thess 5:19). Our attitude towards sin can greatly affect our relationship with God. The closer a person is to God, the more their sin bothers them. So-called little sins can be deadly if left untreated. They can beget big sins if we are not careful.

To treat the toe, I had to directly address the sore spot or the infection. I had to render it inoperative. I think that is what Jesus was referring to when he said to cut your eye out if it causes you to sin (Matt 5:29, 6:23). Harsh language because the localized infection affects the whole body.