The White Rag and Sin

by Melissa J | More from this Blogger

15 Feb 2007 02:16 AM

I was very young when I came up with the analogy of sin being like grime, and a rag being like us. Since then, I've heard this same metaphor used a few times. As a young child it helped me grasp the need to repent and return to God.

A rag which is clean and white does not stay that way for long if it is to be used around the house. It might be used to pick up spilled juice; it might be used to dust off the fireplace mantel. The rag might even come face to face with some of the most disgusting places like the toilet. Unless the rag is cleaned each time, it makes doing some of the other jobs harder. For example, cleaning the porcelain sink with a peanut butter coated rag does not serve its purpose well; rather it creates a bigger mess.

When I applied the dirty rag idea to my own life, I realized I was like that rag. I was constantly going into "dirty" places which made my "white rag" tainted with sin. Once I've seen my life affected by sin, I know I need to return to God and ask for forgiveness. I know I need His help to wash me clean. When I don't repent, it's as if I take that already dirty rag and use it in another area of my life, not just becoming dirtier, but my sins prior mucking up other areas of my life like the peanut butter on the porcelain sink.

I have yet to meet one person who's never had to go to God for that good cleaning. I need to go there at least once a day. I'm not sure that we can live in this world and never have our rag turn color. Even the whitest garments when stored can yellow do to oxidation requiring cleaning. So sheltering ourselves and keeping ourselves from the world is not a good option.

• "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." (Psalm 51:7)

• "...These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." (Revelation 7:14)

If you're feeling like a dingy used rag and want a fresh new start so you can feel clean once again, please seek the Lord and simply ask Him to forgive you and help you abstain from sin.

• "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

Scripture references are quoted from the NKJV.

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mama2riley (24481) 15 Feb 2007 02:07 PM

I love those verses you shared Melissa. Very accurate analogy!