Some people can tolerate them, some cannot. I suppose it depends on the way you were raised, or how detailed you are as a person. What I’m talking about is dirty carpets, filthy rugs- you know, the kind where you take one look and feel like asking; “hey, ever hear about the invention of the vacuum?”

For a short time in my life I worked for a carpet cleaning company, and believe me- I have seen it all. I have spot treated things that would frighten a Marine, and I’ve also been called out to clean up cracker crumbs in million dollar homes.

Even though I had a wide variety of experiences, there was one truth that tied it all together: a good cleaning can make all the difference. After a carpet becomes dirt free, it changes the whole appearance of a room. It doesn’t matter if that rug was the victim of toddlers, cats, and pasta sauce or just simple little crayon marks: either way it made everything around it look better.

Could I make a comparison to Christ here? Imagine your life being like a carpet. Not that you exist to be walked on, though I’m sure you have felt like that! What I mean is that your existence has a fabric of sorts that tends to soak up the world around it. When you were saved, you were spotless and pristine; unfortunately things didn’t stay that way. You’ve let people and circumstances soil the material of your walk with Christ.

Maybe it was that secret sin that you have hidden, but you are starting to realize that it is as obvious to God as a Kool-Aid spill on a white Berber.

Or perhaps people really have left ugly footprints all over your life- but was it you who opened the door in the first place?

Then there are marks left by uninvited guests who could not care less about the feelings of others.

All these things add up over time and your life continues to get soiled, and though it might not be as obvious to you- it makes everything around you ugly. You feel distant from God, you can’t seem to quit fighting with your family and friends, and your last 2000 prayers have been ‘bless this food to your bodies’. Guess what- you need a carpet cleaner!

So which type of person are you? There are those who just let it go because they are too prideful to let Jesus do the dirty work of removing the filth of your sin. If this is you- let me remind you of another person who had this attitude as well- the Apostle Peter:

Peter persisted, "You're not going to wash my feet--ever!"
Jesus said, "If I don't wash you, you can't be part of what I'm doing." (John 13:8)

Get the point? Jesus wants you to be a part of what He is doing- but He can’t work with filthy rugs! Remember that all it takes is one heartfelt prayer on your part, and Jesus will make you clean. It doesn’t matter what you have spilled, or who has treaded over your territory- Jesus can wipe away every stain. Why not put in a call to heaven right now and become as spotless as the day you were saved? Everything around you will be glad you did!

Questions:

1) In what kind of shape are the ‘carpets’ of your life?

2) How long has it been since you spent time in confession?

3) How has this analogy helped you understand forgiveness?

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