LightGrams
January 23, 2025
Volume 29, Number 4
A video was recently released by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). It wasn’t a video designed to entertain as much as to warn. In it they showcase some items that travelers tried to smuggle onboard a flight in 2024.
Among the attempted contraband were exotic snakes hidden inside a man’s pants, a vapor pen tucked inside a tube of toothpaste, and marijuana hidden inside a peanut butter container. One of the more concerning catches was the finding of parts of a pistol – along with bullets – stuffed inside a sock at the bottom of a box of Lego pieces. The message of the video was clear: Don’t even think of bringing forbidden items on an airplane.
The state prison where I teach classes and lead worship is concerned with contraband, too. Every person who enters the facility is subject to search and X-rays, but even that doesn’t keep all forbidden objects out. Drugs are sometimes hidden under postage stamps, and on one occasion a search of lumber entering the facility found recesses that had been carved into the wood to hide knives, cell phones, and other forbidden items.
We hear about these things that are caught, but do we imagine that nothing gets by these detectors? There is not a 100% foolproof system, whether for the TSA or for the prisons and jails.
The army of Israel was about to invade Jericho as they began taking possession of the Promised Land. Joshua warned them against taking any spoil, as all the items of value were “consecrated to the Lord” (Joshua 6:19). One of the Israelite soldiers, however, could not resist the temptation to take a beautiful garment, 200 shekels of silver, and a large wedge of gold (Joshua 7:21). Because of that man’s transgression, 36 men were killed in the following battle against a much smaller city. What Achan tried to hide could not be hidden from God. Serious consequences followed his sin.
In Numbers 32:23 Moses gave a warning to some of Israel that is truly a warning for all: “But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out.”
“Be sure your sin will find you out” doesn’t always work in this world, but when considering our standing before God it is always true. God’s security system, you might say, is 100% foolproof.
The last words of Ecclesiastes affirm this principle: “For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14). Will we be able to sneak sin past God? Only those who are deceived will entertain such thoughts!
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
~~~~~
Copyright, 2024, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “[email protected]” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
Permission to reproduce and/or use the messages for noncommercial purposes is freely granted provided the messages are not altered.