23 October | Youth
«As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one.”» Romans 3:10
Lucas lived holed up inside the house. Few people had the opportunity to see that talented young man’s face. “My son is an excellent singer, but shame prevents him from performing his talent in public,” said the boy’s mother. What was the reason? He was ashamed to show his face. Only that? No! It was not that simple. That boy's face carried a scar that had a lot of stories to tell.
When I (Ailton) spoke to Lucas for the first time, I thought I would come across a moody, depressed and, who knows, even aggressive person. Although the unusual sign caught attention at first glance, behind that scar there was a happy and playful person. Even though we tried to help him, he claimed that no one could change the situation, only God. According to him, he carried marks of sin, which evidenced his disobedient conduct.
Used to a secret double life, whenever he was alone, he got involved with drugs, alcohol, and went to inappropriate places. On one of these adventures, he got into trouble. Since that day, he has had a large scar on his face. “I know that God can forgive me, but I will never forgive myself for that,” said the young man, quite disappointed with himself.
The conversation with that boy made me think about the situation of many people today. We all have a sinful nature, which drives us to evil. This is the greatest mark of sin in the human heart. The root of sin is a corrupt heart and mind.
Because of this “tattoo” in our essence, terrible and eternal marks were engraved on the body of Christ. In His hands and on His feet the cost of sin is forever marked. The Lord paid the price for corrective surgery to be performed inside every human being. It is a “plastic surgery” to remove the mark of sin from us. He took upon Himself the greatest of all scars so that we could live in peace.
When we allow the grace of Jesus to cover us and justify us from all sin, there will be no more condemnation (Rom 8:1). We will not need to hide, even if we carry physical scars from a dark past. They no longer talk about sin, but about the size of the grace that has reached us. Every time you feel ashamed of your “scars,” look at the hands and feet of Jesus, and you will find hope and strength to live and be happy.