Many years ago, in the Southern Indian state of Kerala, the river Pamba flooded, sweeping many villages into the sea. The villagers lost everything, as they kept most of their belongings wrapped up in a bundle of cloth.

As the flood was sweeping everything downstream, a number of men were taking advantage of the disaster. They were swimming into the flood to retrieve the black bundles that were floating on the water. When opened, they contained all kinds of money, jewels, and possessions.

One man saw what he thought was a very large black bundle, so he dived into the water and swam towards it. As he came near to it, he reached out and grabbed the bundle. To his horror, the black bundle grabbed him! It was a black bear which had been washed down with the flood. The more this man struggled, the more tightly the bear hugged him. His friends could see him in trouble, so they cried out to him "Let go of the blanket!". The man replied, "I have let go of the blanket, but the blanket has not let go of me!", as both he and the bear were swept down the flood.

How this story reminds us of the power of sin! Many enjoy sinful pleasures, but when sin begins to bring misery into their lives, they try to give it up, whether it’s drink, drugs, gambling, or immoral living. To their dismay they realise that though they have let go of sin, sin has not let go of them!

We are all by nature sinners and under it’s power. This is why religion, ceremonies or rituals cannot change anyone. Stay this way, and you will be swept into hell! The Bible says, "If the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (John 8v36) Only Jesus has the power to forgive and free those in bondage to sin. This is because He died on the cross to pay the price we deserve. He rose again from the dead a living Saviour. Will you continue in your sin, or will you repent of it now, and trust in the only One who can save you?