Taking A Large Enough Margin

I have a friend who recently underwent cancer surgery that required the removal of 3/4 of his esophagus and 1/3 of his stomach. It was critical that the surgeons removed enough of a margin in the tissue to ensure that no cancer was left behind. IOW, if the bad stuff is 2 inches long, remove 3 inches, just to be sure. This sort of practice doesn't work if you're building a house, but when you're dealing with something dangerous, such precautions are a necessity.

It reminds me of the Hebrew laws prescribed in Leviticus 13 and 14 pertaining to cleansing from spreading molds. No chances were taken in those cases. If the mold was in a piece of fabric or the wall of a house, a very meticulous process was started by the priest which included examination, isolation, cleansing and removal. Further examination and isolation were then performed to make sure the mold didn't return. If it did, more drastic measures were taken.

I think the implications are clear for believers in dealing with indwelling sin. When it's discovered, it should be confessed and not hidden. The matter should be taken to our High Priest and through careful examination, isolation and cleansing, the sin can be removed - not just forgiven, but removed. Catch my meaning? The goal is eradication. If, at a later time, the sin should reappear, a larger margin must be taken and more drastic measures introduced in order to mortify sin's presence in our lives. A larger margin might need to be taken; if there are parts of our lives that tend to lead us closer to sin, that aren't necessarily sinful in and of themselves, they might need to go as well.