The Exterminator

I'm not sure if this is Biblical, but I don't see any reason why I can't make this comparison. It helps me and maybe it will help you too.

This is on the topic of repentance and forgiveness--everyone's favorite! Yeah right.

"For I know my transgressions and my sin is ever before me." (Psalm 51:3)

As I read this verse, something stuck out to me. I know in my life I try to ignore my stubborn sins that won't go away and I fear asking God to show me my ugly sin so that he can forgive it. Sure, God knows our hearts and knows what we think, say and do, but we still have to reveal it to Him. We have to acknowledge that our "transgression and sin are ever before us."

We go throughout life trying "play ignorant." (Please don't get offended, just stay with me.)

• Elaine does it on Seinfeld when she tries to avoid a conversation in a cab by pretending to be deaf.
• Some girls have been guilty of "playing dumb" to appear innocent and attract boys.
• Some ESL students who can speak perfect English try to trick the substitute that they can't so they don't have to participate in class. (I know this one from experience!)
• I sometimes find myself not wanting to take the time to examine my heart before God so that he can reveal and forgive my sin because its ugly and I don't want to go there. Can't God just forgive all of my sins when I say "Forgive me of my sins."?

The answer is yes, but according to the Psalmist, he acknowledges his transgression and sin before God when he is asking for forgiveness.

Consider this: When you have bugs in your home, you call an exterminator. You must first call him, however. He just doesn't come over. Sure he knows that there are pests living in people's houses out in the world, but he waits until he is called before he just goes around door to door killing them all at will. When he gets to your home, he may ask where the bug problem is. You have to tell him or show him so that the poison will effectively kill the heart of the problem. Then after you have acknowledged where the bugs are hiding out, you give him permission to get rid of them. A price is paid and you are free from bugs.

What if I said that the "exterminator" is a metaphor for Jesus and that God just happens to be in the "extermination" business.

When you call (pray to) the "exterminating" business, the owner (God) sends his exterminator (Jesus) to get rid of the bugs (sin) in your life. When he gets there, you then explain your "bug" problem: that you have bugs (sin), you name (confess) them and reveal where they are hiding in your home (heart). The exterminator (Jesus) then removes the unwanted pests (sin) in your life because he knows what he is looking for and where to find it. Now the best part! Instead of paying for this "extermination" service out of your own pocket, the exterminator (Jesus) picks up the bill (price for forgiving sins) because the owner (God) of the "extermination" business said to him that this one is on the house. No cost. What's even better is that the "exterminating" business has a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Plus, the exterminator (Jesus) left you with some daily treatments (the Word) to ensure that the bugs (sin) does not come back. If the bugs (sin) comes back, the owner (God) will send the exterminator (Jesus) out again to rid you of your pest problem (forgive you of your sins) again. For free.

I hope this gets you thinking about the importance of confession, repentance and forgiveness. Be blessed!