The Doctrine Of Justification And The Snowfall

I am watching fresh snow cover the ground as I write this. The dark snow pile that was covered by dirt has once again been made gleaming white. The neighbor’s cat poop that was in our yard before the snow fell has even been covered and is now a bright and pure white.

I once worked on a farm for almost a year part time. We would scoop the manure out of the chicken house and leave it in a big pile to be used later in the spreader. From there it would fertilize the fields to promote growth and more hay production. In the wintertime, if it snowed, these monstrous piles of smelly chicken manure would be covered with gleaming and pure snow.

Luther’s Dunghill

It is said that Martin Luther used this as an illustration for the grace of God in the justification of sinners. Dunghills, as they were called, were piles of manure that were spread out along the countryside. When the weather was right, these dunghills were to be spread on the fields. The dunghills, it is said, dotted the landscape and was smelly and ugly.

Luther equated people, in our sinfulness, to be like the dunghills. We are ugly and offensive to God and there is nothing  in us that would be attractive to Him. In our sin we are a stench in the nostrils of God due to our sinfulness. Yet, the first snowfall changes everything. The first snowfall covers everything with a pure white and uniform blanket, even the large piles of dung. That which was once foul is covered with the beauty of the pure white snow.

The Beauty In The Dunghill

Here is the beauty of this illustration. We are sinners in whom is found great rebellion and ugliness. Those who have trusted in Christ…those who have turned from ruling their own lives and placed their faith in Jesus Christ have had their sins washed away(Romans 3:25) and have been covered by the pure righteousness of Christ (Philippians 3;9). Like that offensive dunghill our offenses have been covered. We are now pure in the sight of God.

Conclusion

Here is the beauty of our salvation. Here is the great mercy given to sinners. Our ugliness is washed away and covered by Christ. Here is the challenge for believers. Will you live in this truth? When you despair over your sin and shame, will you live in this truth?

For unbelievers, won’t you come and trust the Savior? He will make you whiter than snow.

R. Dwain Minor