Romans 5:20-21 “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”
If you live in Georgia, chances are you are familiar with the infamous “yellow pollen” of springtime. Our tall, statuesque pines produce this pollen in their cones, and when the wind blows, away go billions of tiny yellow pollen grains into the air. While the goal is for the pollen to land upon female cones, it also lands everywhere else! I find that my once-blue car becomes yellow, a clear patio table seems to have a yellow tablecloth upon it, and my white wrap-around porch now seems to be made of yellow lumber. (I shudder to think what the inside of my lungs look like!) As my granddaughter and I did a little yard work, we noticed that even the air had a yellowish hue that seemed to thicken when a gentle breeze blew. It wouldn’t matter if I washed everything down because I knew that the next day would bring a new dusting of pollen on everything once more. There is no escaping it!
Springtime pollen is a lot like sin. It’s everywhere! No matter how hard you try to avoid it, it’s always there! Sometimes it’s like a faint dusting, but it’s there. Sometimes it’s so thick, you not only feel its presence, but you see it clearly! Romans 5:12 states “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” So no matter where you go, sin will be there. The Bible also tells us that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23), and the wages of our sin is death (Romans 6:23a) or eternal separation from God. When I tried to wash away the pollen, it returned. No matter what I did, the pollen still permeated everything, including me! That’s a lot like sin. I can’t make my sin go away. I can try to hide it, but it’s still there, and eventually, it will be made manifest.
However, unlike pollen, which returns year after year, my sins can be forever forgiven! John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Jesus paid the penalty for my sin on the cross when He shed His precious blood and died for the sins of the world. When He rose 3 days later, He proved He was God and had the power to forgive all sins. When I repented and asked Him to forgive me, He did! Romans 6:23b tells me “…the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
In a few weeks, a morning will come when I will notice that there is no longer any pollen on my car or porch. The air will seem fresh and clear! But be advised, the pollen is still there; it’s just so small it cannot be seen with the naked eye. Same with sin. Sometimes I can’t see it at all, but it is still around me. It may be hidden, but it is very present in this world, and when it influences my life, I must be quick to seek God’s forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 tells me that when I ask for forgiveness, God is faithful and just to cleanse me from my sin.
One day, sin will no longer influence my life. That day, in the not-so-distant future, Jesus will come and take me, and those who have trusted Him as Saviour, to be with Him in heaven forever. Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-3). In heaven, there will be no more sin, and the air will be crystal clear, filled only with the glory of God and the praises of His children! Oh, what a moment that will be when I meet my Saviour in the sky to be with Him forevermore!
My friend, Dody Hall, wrote this poem. I thought it was perfect to add to my blog!
“Spring Pollen”
Grains of pollen are ‘round my door,
There weren’t so many here before,
I’ve been too busy to notice them,
They so remind me of my sin,
It daily gathers in my heart,
And daily I must do my part,
I’ll ask my Jesus once again
To sweep away the grains of sin.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” – 1 Peter 1:3-5
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Did you know that there are no Biblical prophecies waiting to be fulfilled prior to the return of Jesus?