Toothache

Toothache

There is nothing quite like a bit of toothache to bring on a touch of depression, is there? Nothing nags away so insistently and so annoyingly as toothache. It is one of the most feared afflictions that mankind can have – not because of any real danger to health, but because it is so relentless – and it usually starts at night when all good dentists are most unlikely to do anything for you. Talking of dentists, of “Fang Farriers” as a friend of mine used to call them, have you seen their prices these days? I have never, ever seen a poor dentist.

Toothache is a bit like sin really. Once you know about it, it troubles you until you do something about it, and then the cost is high. Again it is like sin, because once we get relief, or once we are forgiven, the sense of relief is so great and we are so very grateful. Yet many people tolerate it for seemingly an unending time before they feel so moved and pained by it to do anything about it.

Sometimes we even get comfortable with it – especially sin. With sin, the temporary relief comes when someone tells us, “Never mind, you can’t help it.” Then they tell you something like, “Jesus knows and He understands, and He will forgive you.” Its like an aspirin to an ache sufferer – it gets rid of the pain for a while, but it doesn’t resolve the problem. Yes Jesus does know, and understand, and He will forgive you provided, of course, you confess your sin. But, like your toothache, He will remind you of it again and again until you do something about it.

AND forgiveness is always free – unlike the dentist.

Why not take your old persistent sin to the cross today. Give it to the Lord and let Him deal with it. Feel free once again and rejoice in God’s goodness and mercy as He forgives you once more. But like all repentance, to make it stick, turn away from your sin and do it no more.

Just do it !!