A boy had a little dog named Remmy while he was growing up. Remmy was a Jack Russel. He was mostly white with one brown ear. And he was very loved.

One day it snowed outside. Remmy went out into the garden. That’s when the boy noticed something about his beloved dog. He wasn’t white anymore, not really. 

What happened?

The boy’s parents smoked. Over time, Remmy’s white fur had turned into a nicotine-stained yellow. But it was only after he saw it contrasted with the bright, fresh snow that he noticed the difference.*

Have you ever felt convicted of sin? It’s when you realize on a deep level that you have sinned (past tense) or that you are sinning (present tense). God has opened your eyes about what is really going on.

This often happens on the path of faith. The more we know Jesus, the more we perceive his perfection, and also our own imperfections. We see more clearly how our own sin contrasts with the purity and goodness of Jesus, just as that young boy saw the change in how his dog looked contrasted against the brightness of the snow.

At first, this can get us down. That’s understandable. Sin should make us mourn. At the same time, we should not lose heart. Not only is Jesus’ righteousness credited to our account (2 Corinthians 5:21), but he forgives us (1 John 1:9), and moves us forward in Christlikeness (Romans 8:1-17)!

Look to Jesus.
Rejoice at his goodness.
See your own sin.
Mourn for it.
Ask for forgiveness.
Cooperate with the Spirit’s renovating work.
Move forward.

As the apostle John instructs us: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

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Notes:

-*As told in: Tim Chester and Christopher de la Hoyde, Who on earth is the Holy Spirit? (The Good Book Company, 2005), 35.
-Bible quotes are from the NIV.