The Ink Stain

 

One of yesterday’s headlines was about the trial of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad .  In the story, the prosecuting attorney pointed at Saddam with a finger that had a big black ink stain on it.  That stain had come from the voting area where he had recently cast his ballot in the new free elections in that country.  The reason for the ink stain was to identify people who had already voted once, hence could not vote multiple times. A stained finger has become a symbol of peace and freedom for the people of that previously oppressed country.

 

Any true Disciple of Jesus has been stained with the blood of our Savior; and is reflective of both our decisions to be baptized, and the loss of our Lord’s blood when He died on the cross.  Like the stained fingers in Iraq , our blood stains have become symbols of righteous people living for Christ. 

 

In due time, the ink stain will disappear from the people of free Iraq .  I truly hope, however, that their freedom continues forever.  The blood stains on our hearts, also, may fade the longer we get from the day of our baptism.  When we are first baptized, that stain is glowing red, and everybody sees it; but occasionally, as time progresses, that stain may also start disappearing.  Fewer people see our love for Christ.  We share our conversion stories with fewer people.  As the stain fades, so does our love for God.  We become lukewarm, a state which Jesus despises (Revelation 3:16); radiance diminishes.

 

Our visible stain demonstrates to others that we have gained our freedom from Satan, much like the stained fingers show the world that the Iraqi people have gained their freedom from tyranny.  Both freedoms can last a lifetime, but the stains rarely will.  I believe it would please God if we cast a vote every now and then, re-staining our hearts, so that our Christian values are more visible to the world around us. 

 

Go to the polling booth, the cross, and cast your votes often (we can do this, the Iraqis have to wait until the next scheduled election) for Christ.  Hold up your blood-stained hearts for the world to see.  Evangelize your neighborhood, showing your love for God and what Jesus has done for you.  We are free!

 

Mac