One of the games that many of us would have played as a child is Snakes and Ladders.In this game, there are usually 100 squares with numerous snakes and ladders spread out all over the board.
The objective is to reach square number 100 in the shortest time possible, based on the throw of a die.
One hopes to land on the foot of a ladder, so as to climb it and advance several squares towards the destination.
At the same time, one hopes to avoid landing on the head of a snake, because this would mean sliding down its body to a spot several squares away from the ultimate destination.
Let's say we were to compare our life's journey to the game of snakes and ladders.
Whenever we exercise faith or obey the LORD, it is like arriving at the foot of a ladder in order to advance many steps in our spiritual journey.
On the other hand, whenever we blow it or foul up, it is as though we have stepped on a snake and slidded down, even as far back as to square one.
As believers however, the truth of the matter is that our game of snakes and ladders is radically different because ALL the snakes have all been removed, leaving only the ladders behind!
The result of the finished work of Jesus is that He has removed those snakes, so to speak.
In other words, whenever we exercise faith in God's Word, He credits it to us as righteousness. On the other hand, whenever we make mistakes, God does not count them against us.
We see 2 very clear examples in the Scriptures.
The first example is Abraham. We read in Gen 12 and again in Gen 20 about how he tried to pass off his wife Sarah as his sister on 2 separate occasions, because he was afraid that he would be killed by Pharaoh in the 1st instance, and by King Abimelech of the Philistines in the 2nd.
We read in Gen 16 how he decided to produce a son via Hagar, instead of trusting that God would bless him with a son via Sarah.
We read in Gen 17 about how he fell over laughing in unbelief, when God told him he would be a father at the age of 100.
In spite of all the above, the Holy Spirit saw fit to record in Rom 4 and Heb 11 only Abraham's acts of faith, which God reckoned to him as righteousness.
The snakes were removed, leaving only the ladders!
Another example is Elijah. In 1 Kings 19, we read about how Elijah feared for his life and fled from Queen Jezebel, instead of trusting God to protect him. Yet the Holy Spirit saw fit to record in Jas 5, referring to him as an example of a righteous man whose prayer availed much.
The snake was removed, leaving only the ladder!
Dearly beloved. Let us be encouraged that God does not remember our sins and lawless acts anymore (Heb 10:17). In our game of snakes and ladders, only the ladders remain. The snakes have all been removed. Amen?
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