Slick Nick

Slick Nick

Nick just turned five, and the name Slick Nick still applies. He has, in the past, had adventures with Vaseline that have earned him the name (like the time he covered himself completely in Vaseline!.

It’s hard to imagine this angelic boy EVER disobeying.

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We  use Vaseline to sooth the dry patches of skin that plague our children. They all know the large tub is off-limits and only Mommy applies Vaseline, but man, does it look gooey and fun. Judging by Nick’s slippery body and slick hair, he had a blast.

His petroleum jelly grin prompted an outward smile and an inward groan. As a former hairstylist, I know it takes a shower marathon to remove Vaseline from the hair.

As Nick unhappily scrubbed down for the third time in less than an hour, it occurred to me that his curiosity came with a high price tag. He missed game time with the other kids as we attempted to rectify his retro 1950’s hairdo.

Sin comes with a high price tag. Whether our slip is premeditated or innocent curiosity, there are consequences and a price. Nick paid with two days of showers and it cost me free time and a replacement tub of Vaseline.

Like Nick, I experience consequences for my sin as I live in a fallen world filled with other sinners like me. The price of my sin is a life – either my eternal life or Jesus’s life. One of us will pay.

Jesus died on the cross and offers God His life as payment for my sin. After Jesus died, He rose from the grave, swallowing death in victory. I can thank Him for the payment, live a life of repentance and change on earth, look forward to an eternity in Heaven. Or, I can refuse His offering and by default commit to paying the cost myself in an eternity spent in Hell.

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.”