JESUS: The Only “Balm” for Sin’s Sting

Scripture: I Corinthians 15:54b – 55 - Death is swallowed up in victory.”  O death, where is your victory?  O death, where is your sting?”

Bees and I have never gotten along.  I was stung once when I was nine, while away at a week-long summer camp—but that was my fault.  I had “smacked the proverbial bull,” as they say, by witlessly tossing a volleyball at a hornet’s nest affixed to the side of our cabin.  (Not smart)!  I never forgot the lesson:  don’t tease the bees; they come after ya!  When one of “my buddies” stung me recently during the church’s Labor Day picnic, my reaction (a shriek-filled- short-distance-tumble- off-the-bench) provided some comic relief for some nearby saints with whom I was sitting—and for myself as well—after several minutes had elapsed! (Praise God my fall was “well-cushioned).  One of my sisters thankfully shared some bug-bite antiseptic ointment she had brought, which significantly dulled the pain!

Just like sin has left a mark upon this world, placing it under a curse, as referenced in Genesis 3:17 and Revelation 22:3, I am eternally grateful and overflowing with thanksgiving that Jesus’ single redemptive act on the cruel cross of Calvary, made the ultimate “balm of Gilead” available to me thirty-seven years ago, this October 8th.

Upon birth from our mother’s womb, says the Spirit in Psalm 51:5,  we were ALL “stung” by sin, and there was no other remedy, no behavioral “balm” or man-made belief system that could undo or reverse its damaging effects---not church membership, religious affiliation, no lengthy track record of good deeds, not our family’s religious heritage, or even a reputation for being a “sweet or nice person,” whatever that means. Possessing great fame or fortune will not alleviate the eternal sting of sin without the required one-time SERIOUS application to one’s heart of the ULTIMATE “balm of Gilead,” better known as the BLOOD OF JESUS, which imputes to our personal account the PERFECT righteousness of Christ Jesus the Lord!  Is He YOUR personal Lord and Savior? Have you invited Him into your heart?  (Revelation 3:20) There’s no greater life decision for a soul to make.

Prayer:  Precious Abba, it is the most humbling reality to be convicted by Your Holy Spirit that there is absolutely nothing that we immortal souls can do to earn salvation—except to receive by faith the only “balm” offered for our sins’ remission—Christ Jesus!  Thank You, Lord!  Amen!!

(by Denise Diggs)