Stain Remover
July 1 2024
Golf captivates me, and I make time to hit the greens at least twice a week. It’s a sport that tests my limits like no other. While some may dismiss it as dull, I find it thrilling, a true test of mental and physical prowess. It is not easy to hit a golf ball over 200-250 yards straight down the fairway.
Like most sports, it has its own unique attire. Golfers typically don knee-length shorts, a polo shirt, and golf shoes. Adherence to dress codes is strict; without the proper attire, and your shirt tucked into your pants, you may not be able to play.
The cost of playing golf can vary widely. Green fees for 18 holes often fall between $40-$80, which can add up quickly, especially for those who play frequently and invest in quality gear and attire.
I recently purchased a stunning green and black shirt that I liked, paired with black shorts and shoes; the outfit was quite nice. However, after a round of golf, I discovered stains on the shirt. Despite multiple washes and various stain removers, the blemishes persisted. Reluctantly, I conceded defeat to the stubborn stains and discarded the shirt.
This experience parallels our spiritual journey before embracing Christ as Lord and Savior. Our lives bore the stain of sin, resistant to all our efforts to cleanse or conceal it. Surrounded by others similarly stained, we became desensitized to our own blemishes. Yet, through His Son, God offered a path to purification and stain removal. The Bible tells us in Isaiah 1:18, “though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” God has the power to remove the stain of sin from our lives. It doesn’t matter how light the sin may seem or how dark, it cannot resist the power of “The Stain Remover”.
I washed the shirt with no change to its appearance. David, reflecting on his transgressions in Psalm 51:7, said “wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.” The confidence David spoke with is the same confidence we can speak with. God promises to wash away our sins, leaving no trace behind. Just like a clean shirt after washing, we too will look new and spotless.
1 John 1:7 reveals the ultimate stain remover; Jesus’ sacrifice. His blood removes all traces of sin, for He bore our sins despite being sinless. In God’s eyes, we are sinless, our stains forever eliminated by Jesus’ saving act.
The mystery of what ruined my shirt remains, but the clarity of Christ’s sacrifice is unmistakable. It cost me nothing, yet it cost Him his life. His death was the price for humanity’s redemption, a testament of His boundless love for us in our sinfulness. Accepting Him as Lord and Savior initiates a transformative cleansing, making it easy for the stain of sin to be removed. He will never throw us away!