On Sunday, our church’s music leader commented on the purity and cleanness of new fallen snow. Thinking about this, I realized how snow is a reflection of our life in Christ.
When you look at the fresh layer of glistening white snow covering the fields, there’s a beauty there. How pure, clean, and wondrous it is! The ground is clothed in pure white. Something about that beautiful scene attracts people for various reasons. Children long to play in it while adults enjoy taking in the purity—or join their kids in a snowball fight.
But what about the ground underneath? Beneath the white is brown, muddy ground. When the snow is disturbed by vehicle tires or someone walking around, the ugly mess is exposed and often hides what was clean. While the snow remains, it no longer shows its beauty.
When we put our faith in Jesus, when we believe him, when we confess him as our risen Lord, Jesus covers us in his pure, white righteousness. All the ugliness and sin is covered by Christ. Because of his death, Jesus wipes away our sin and accounts to us his righteousness; we are covered in white. Such holiness, hope, and love attracts many for various reasons.
However, when believers act like the world—following its lusts and desires, committing various sins—the ugliness reveals itself. The righteousness of Christ, while still there, becomes difficult to see. Thus, the attractiveness is diminished.
John wrote to believers, instructing us to show our love and faith by obeying God’s commands (1 John 2:3-6). This means rejecting the values and desires of the world and seeking the values and desires of God (1 John 2:15-17; see also Matt 6:33). Jesus called his followers to “be perfect,” as God is perfect (Matt 5:48). However, he cautioned us not to be righteous to gain accolades in this world or just to look good, which is to do so out of pride. Instead, we should live humbly (Matt 6:1-6; see also Prov. 3:34; James 4:6; and 1 Pet 5:5).
Over the next year, we should strive to let God restore the pure white covering. We should find ways to serve our Lord by working for his kingdom. Help those in need, find ministry opportunities in a local church, and share the Gospel often. Read through and study the Bible over the next year with your spouse and children. Join a Bible study group. Pray more often; pray together with your family. Let 2010 be the year you again show God how much you love him!
