A Little Scratch
A LITTLE SCRATCH
Read 1 Corinthians 5:6-8.
“The time is 6:21 p.m.,” announced Tim as he looked at his new digital watch.
“Well, thanks for keeping us informed,” said his sister, Maddie, as she answered the phone. “For you, Tim,” she said.
After he hung up, Mom asked, “Did I hear you tell Shawn you can’t play ball tonight? I thought you and your friends were going to the gym for a while.”
“Yeah, well, Shawn is such a klutz,” said Tim, looking at his watch. “The time is now—”
“Don’t change the subject,” said Dad. “You lied to Shawn, didn’t you?”
“Oh, Dad, it was such a little thing,” protested Tim. “I mean it’s no big deal—just a little lie.” But Mom and Dad explained to Tim that God didn’t see it that way. Although he refused to admit they were right, he agreed to call Shawn back and invite him to join him at the gym. “No answer,” he said a few minutes later. “Well, at least I tried.” He put on his jacket.
When Tim returned home, he wasn’t quite so happy. “What’s the problem?” asked Dad.
“I fell,” replied Tim, holding out his arm. Across the face of the watch, Dad saw a small scratch.
“Oh, that’s too bad,” sympathized Dad. “But at least it’s just a little scratch.”
“Yeah,” said Tim, “but it goes right across the numbers.”
“A little scratch messes up a new watch,” Mom said, “and a little sin messes up one’s testimony for the Lord.”
Tim knew what she meant. “You’re right,” he admitted.
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you told a little lie? Been a little unkind? Do you think a little sin doesn’t matter? It does. Confess even the “small” sins and ask the Lord to help you overcome them.
TO MEMORIZE:
The person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as the person who has broken all of God’s laws.
James 2:10
LITTLE SINS MATTER.
From the book
