A few months ago, I decided to give pencil sketching a try. I wanted something relaxing to do occasionally that wouldn’t require much investment.
At an art store, I purchased a Pentalic sketchbook, a set of tinted German-made Staedtler pencils, and a high-quality eraser. A few weeks later, I added colored pencils and another sketchbook to my collection of supplies.
Lacking sketching experience, I looked at pictures I had and did my best to replicate them with pencil drawings. My husband gives me lavish praise for my little sketches. I appreciate his enthusiasm about my new hobby, but he and I both know that I am just beginning. At some point, I would like to take a class or two and get some pointers from an art instructor.
One thing I learned right away was the value of an eraser. As I sketched olive branches, lavender sprigs, or a scene from the Holy Land, I found myself reaching for my eraser. When I sketched something that did not look quite right, my eraser got a workout!
It dawned on me that God was giving me the most basic lesson on forgiveness. After all, what does baptism do? The Bible uses the word “remission” to describe how baptism in the name of Jesus washes our sins away (Acts 2:38, KJV). When we are baptized in the name of Jesus, our sins are forgiven and removed. They will never again be held against us.
This is wonderful, of course. But many people wonder what we should do when we sin after we have been baptized in Jesus’ name. Nowhere does the Bible tell us to get re-baptized following our initial baptism in Jesus’ name. So, how are our sins removed after baptism?
I John 1:9 has the answer. First John is a letter written to the church that has been born again of water and of the Spirit. Verse nine says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This is a promise specifically for born-again believers.
God does not want us to sin. But He knows that we will sin. Our humanness sometimes leads us down that path. So, when we sin, we confess our sin to God. In other words, we tell Him what we have done wrong. This establishes accountability between us and God. Because He is faithful and just, He will forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. What an amazing eraser! Only God can erase our sins. Only He is able to cleanse us this thoroughly.
A sketch artist does not throw away all of her art supplies because she made a mistake. She uses her eraser to remove the mistake. She learns from her mistake. Then, she picks up her pencils and continues where she left off.
When we sin, hopelessness and discouragement can set in. Sadly, some people become so consumed with the weight of their mistakes that they walk away from God. But God does not want us to throw away our entire lives when we do something wrong.
Will I ever be an accomplished sketch artist? To be honest, I seriously doubt that I will ever become the sketch artist version of Picasso or Michelangelo.
But whether my artistic skills improve or not, I have been reminded of something much more important. God does not want me to sin. But when I do, He has a solution. He is willing to forgive me the moment I come before Him with a repentant heart. When I confess my sin to God, He erases it. Then, He offers me a fresh start. Sins that I looked at with dismay because they were marring the picture of my life are wiped clean. Regret is replaced with renewed focus on the goodness of God.
God does not want me or you to dwell on the mistakes we have made. We can’t undo the past. But we can run into God’s arms of mercy, confessing our sin, knowing that He will love us, forgive us, and restore us. He will extend to us the opportunity to begin again. He wants to help us create something beautiful from our lives, one gentle pencil stroke at a time.
PRAY WITH ME: Thank You, Jesus, for reminding me that when You forgive me, my sin is no longer visible. My heart is full of gratitude to You for your mercy, grace, and kindness. I am so glad that sin does not have the final say in my life!
Today’s devotional was written by Sylvia Ferrin.
