Grace in Our Weakness: The Story of Simon the Slug

A Slug and His Garment

Simon the Slug lived as all slugs do—crawling through the dirt and mud of the world, unaware of how filthy he had become. Each day, as he slithered along his usual paths, the grime clung to him, staining the little garment he wore. At first, Simon didn’t think much of it. This was just life, wasn’t it? Everyone around him was just as dirty.

Then, one day, a great and loving hand plucked Simon from the muck. With a warm smile, God wrapped him in a brand-new, dazzling white garment. Simon had never seen anything so beautiful. He marveled at how clean and fresh he felt.

But the next day, as he crawled through the same old paths, he glanced down and gasped—his new clothes were just as dirty as before! Frustrated and ashamed, he searched for God. Once again, the same loving hand lifted him up and clothed him in a fresh, spotless garment.

The next morning, Simon set out again. But this time, when he approached his favorite mud hole, he hesitated. He glanced down at his white garment, still clean, and decided,

"No. I don’t want to get my clothes dirty again."

He turned away and chose a different path. At the end of the day, however, he noticed that his garment was still stained—not as much as before, but still not pure white. With a heavy heart, he searched for God once more, and as always, God smiled, lifted him up, and clothed him anew.

The Lesson of Simon the Slug

Simon’s story is our story. When we are saved, God washes us clean, clothing us in righteousness. Yet, as we walk through this world, we still get dirty. Sin is all around us, and even when we try to avoid it, we find ourselves stained by the filth of life.

But grace is not a one-time event—it is God’s continual work in us.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV):"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Like Simon, we don’t always notice the weight of our sin until we see how clean we could be. And when we do fail, God doesn’t cast us away—He lovingly restores us, just as He has done before.

But as we grow, something changes.

We begin to recognize the filth before we step into it. We start making choices that keep us cleaner than before. That doesn’t mean we never stumble, but it does mean we are growing.

What the Other Slugs See

Simon wasn’t the only slug in the mud. The others watched him with curiosity.

Some scoffed, saying,

"Why does he even bother with those white clothes if they’re just going to get dirty again?"

Others felt something stirring in them—something they didn’t understand. They saw a change in Simon. He no longer wallowed in the mud like he used to.

He wasn’t perfect, but he was different.

Some slugs began to ask,

"Who is the one giving you those new garments?"

And Simon, with a grateful heart, could only point them to the One who made him clean.

Romans 6:1-2 (KJV):"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"

This is what it means to live as a Christian. We don’t walk in perfection, but in grace.

And grace is not a license to sin.

We don’t keep going back to the same mud pits, thinking,

"It doesn’t matter, God will clean me again."

Instead, we begin to choose a different path, striving to stay clean.

A Daily Renewal

Like Simon, we will never be able to walk through this world without getting some dirt on us.

But the good news is that we have a loving Father who lifts us up, washes us clean, and sets us on our way again.

Each day, as we strive to stay clean, others will see the difference in us.

Some will mock.

Some will be convicted.

And some will ask,

"How can I be made clean, too?"

That is how God uses our weakness—our very struggles—to reach others.

Not by making us flawless, but by showing the world that there is a God who never stops forgiving, never stops cleansing, and never stops loving.

Jude 1:22-23 (KJV):"And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh."

Final Thought: What Will You Choose?

God has clothed you in His righteousness.

Will you crawl back into the mud, or will you choose to walk in His grace?

Would You Like to Be Made Clean?

Maybe you’ve seen others trying to stay clean in this world, and you’ve wondered, What is it that makes them different? Maybe you’ve watched them struggle, fall, and get back up again, and something inside you is stirring.

That difference isn’t found in their own strength—it’s found in their Savior, Jesus Christ.

If you’ve been feeling like Simon, constantly frustrated by the stains of life, you don’t have to stay that way.

God is ready to lift you up.

All you have to do is turn to Him.

If this message has spoken to you, I invite you to pray.

Ask for the cleansing blood of Jesus to wash away your sins. Ask Him to come into your heart and change you.

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."Isaiah 1:18 (KJV)

Jesus is waiting with open arms, ready to give you a new garment—one that only He can provide.

Will you accept it today?

Signed,

Charles Jones