No Tracks

Tracking a wounded animal is [apparently] a skill. Mr. Bill's been called on several times over the years to assist in following an animal's trail. Even sin of which we've confessed and repented can leave a trail. The Puritan prayed, "Annihilate each clinging shred of self-righteousness." How wonderful to know forgiveness and the freedom it brings! We struggle, however, at a sin's clinging shred - a trail so-to-speak - by which we are led right back into its grip. Romans 8:13 tells us "through the Holy Spirit we mortify the deeds of the body." Yeah, there's the struggle! Few Christians (I fear) take seriously the annihilation of sins' lures - serious enough they are attentive to sin's tracks. "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof." (Romans 13:14). If you're tempted to watch trashy movies, cancel your movie channels; if you're tempted to read seedy magazines or novels, stop buying magazines or novels; if your friends are leading you to go places you shouldn't, change the crowd you hang with.  Sound radical?  Desperate times call for desperate measures; only radical living helps annihilate sin in our lives.  It's the only way to turn your road-to-ruin into the road-to-life.  Only Christ forgives sin but each Christian has a responsibility to recognize and (by Grace) resist a sin's lure.  Are you tracking your sin?  If so, be alert - be vigilant - be watchful - let sin leave no tracks.