Like a Pickle Analogy

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1:7).

Traditionally, women across America would be making pickles about now in the past. First, the cucumbers are picked, cleaned, and any bad spots removed. This is what happens to Christians when their sins are washed away by Jesus' blood because they accept Him as their Lord and Savior.

Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? (Luke 14: 34-35).

The cucumbers are then soaked in a brine solution. Salt is a preservative and also helps purify. Once a person is saved, he or she continues to be sanctified — made holy, concentrated, or set apart for God, especially if he or she stays saturated in the Word. It's an ongoing process that helps us grow and become more Christlike. 

In this world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33b).

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

After the brine solution, the cucumbers are rinsed and then blanched or dipped into boiling water to kill any impurities that might remain and cause them to spoil and not be edible. Christians aren't immune to problems, but God can use troubled times to make us stronger in our faith and get rid of stumbling blocks that hold us back.

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38).

In the Greek, baptizo means to immerse.  A Christian's baptism symbolizes they belong to Christ. They die to their old selves and become a new creature in Him. It's basically one of our first acts of obedience. Both the salt immersion and the final vinegar solution preserves cucumbers, making them crisper, changing their taste, and transforming them into pickles. The Holy Spirit also transforms ordinary people, making them new, better, and ready for service.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:2).

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