Dead Mice and Decaying Hearts

A peculiar smell greeted us from the kitchen a year ago. At first, it was like cooked fish, but the following day it was like something going off. Cupboards were searched, but the source of the stench could not be found. It seemed to be coming from the fridge, but all within was fresh and correct. I moved the fridge out by wobbling it from side to side, but again, no sign of rotting meat or something foul. Being a man, and not a very practical one at that, I suggested we buy some strong air fresheners and ignore it, but persons of better judgement got out the fridge again and searched beneath. Sure enough, the corpse of a mouse was found within the electrics; for its curiosity it had met with a quick death, and we received the benefit of its decaying odour.

My plan to simply mask the stench with air fresheners and scents is symbolic of false religion. It tries to conceal and disguise our inherently sinful natures, but it can neither atone for our crimes nor effect transformation. It might limit murder and theft, but it can do nothing against pride and smugness. In fact, it makes them worse, exagerating our self-satisfaction. The gospel covers our guilt and the Holy Spirit works on our hearts, renewing, re-making and reviving that which is dead and decayed. Manmade religion tries to cover up our moral decay; the gospel roots it out. 

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

-Psalm 139:23-24

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