|
I recently read a story by Dale A. Hays in the magazine Glad Tidings of Good Things. In it he describes how in a visit to Haiti, a preacher wanted to illustrate to his congregation the need for total commitment to Christ. He told this parable:
"A certain man wanted to sell his house for $2,000. Another man wanted very badly to buy it, but because he was poor, he couldn't afford the full price. After much bargaining, the owner agreed to sell the house for half the original price with just one stipulation: he would retain ownership of one small nail protruding from just over the door. After several years, the original owner wanted his house back, but the new owner was unwilling to sell. So the first owner went out, found the carcass of a dead dog, and hung it from the single nail he still owned. Soon the house became unlivable, and the family was forced to sell the house to the owner of the nail. The Haitian preacher's conclusion; "If we leave the Devil with even one small peg in our life, he will return to hang his rotting garbage on it, making it unfit for Christ's habitation."
The apostle Paul urges Christians to, "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature…Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience…"-Colossians 3:5-12.
Born again, Christ-raised people are changed people. Their lives depict those who are a fit "dwelling for God through the Spirit"-Ephesians 2:22. If that is true, then we must live like it! The apostle says again to the believers at Ephesus, "Do not give the devil a foothold"-Ephesians 4:27. The word "foothold", in the original language can be translated as "space", "locality" or "territory". We must be alert to temptation and never, ever, give Satan any opportunity or place in our lives or hidden corner of our heart.
...No, not even a nail!
Tom Nuckels |