The Most Important of Warnings

On our way to our vacation destination last August, I was driving through a construction zone with very little traffic and no construction workers on site. The interstate on which I was driving was down to two lanes (one in each direction) with no ability to pass. Unfortunately, I was behind a semi, and I am not nearly as patient as I should be, driving or otherwise.

Of course, when you are going through a construction zone and trailing a semi, cruise control really is not an option, as speeds can fluctuate so much. Thus, I found myself creeping up on the semi, slowing down, creeping up, slowing down, etc. Meanwhile, an Illinois State Police officer pulled out of his observation spot and was following me. I knew he was behind me but did not think much about him, as I could hardly speed or do much, and there was nearly no one else on the road.

Well, as soon as the construction zone ended, the trooper put his lights on and pulled me over. Great! What did I do wrong? Apparently, I did two things wrong. Multiple times, my speed got up to 65 miles per hour in the 55-mph construction zone, and I was following the semi too closely. Looking back, I can recognize the officer was right, and I was guilty of both offenses. Still, I was frustrated.

I cannot really remember what I said to the officer, but what I do remember is that he let me off with a warning. Phew! Perhaps my sweet wife and five scared children sitting with me in the van helped. They certainly helped more than my driving did! One thing I am certain I did not say in response is, “Oh, no thank you, officer. Please give me the full force of justice and the maximum penalty for my offenses.” Instead, I was obviously grateful for the warning and thanked the officer. I am not sure how much he could have penalized me, but I imagine that, especially because I was driving through a construction zone, the fines could have been steep. Praise the Lord for warnings!

ETERNAL IMPORTANCE

Of course, there are no more important warnings than those found in the Word of God. Over and over, the Bible warns us of our need to turn away from sin and trust in Jesus Christ for forgiveness and salvation. Sin has consequences, and so we are warned of our need for atonement, which only comes in and through a relationship with Jesus.

On Sunday morning, Lord willing, I will be preaching through Titus 2:11-14 on the “Second Chances” that only come by the grace of God. The greatest of all warnings points us to the greatest of all graces.

For the grace of God has appeared with salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a people for His own possession, eager to do good works.

Titus 2:11-14

STANDARD OF TRUTH

If I told that state trooper, “But, I didn’t KNOW I could only go 55 miles per hour here,” would that make me innocent? Of course not. As a driver I am responsible for knowing and obeying the law. Likewise yet more importantly, as God’s creation, we are responsible for knowing and obeying His Law – the Bible. Are you seeking to know His Word and heed His warnings?

If I told that state trooper, “Well, maybe it’s your opinion that I was following that semi too closely, but in my opinion, I was just fine. I was comfortable with what I was doing. That’s my truth,” how would that have gone? Not well. The law is not based on my opinions or feelings and abilities. The law is based on standards, regardless of how I feel. I have no right and no ability to change the law, at least not in that moment. Even more so, we can never change God’s Law. His law is perfect and enduring. His standard of truth never changes because He never changes. Thus, we have no right and no ability to pick and choose which parts of His Word we obey. Are you asking for God’s help to walk in humility and obey His Word? Do you have relationships of intentional accountability to help you grow in your relationship with Him?

By God’s grace, He has given us warnings throughout His Word, and He has given us chance after chance to repent and believe. Let us not fail to know and embrace the most important of warnings! Let us trust His grace for salvation and trust His grace for sanctification. To God be the glory!

Receive the greatest and most important of all second chances by trusting in Jesus Christ to make you right with God. Learn more by checking out The Story.

Sinful yet Hopeful

Do you notice anything off about the picture above? Yes, that trailer is supposed to be hooked to that tractor. That trailer was hooked to that tractor, until one of my children (who will not be revealed in this post) was messing around on the tractor and disengaged the hydraulics. Apparently some other things were done, too, causing said-child to retreat in fear of the wrong that was committed.

Perhaps no one would find out, though. After all, when someone comes to move the trailer back into place for our Sunday morning outdoor worship celebration, he will hook the trailer back up, and no one else will be the wiser. So, nothing was said to Marsha or me about the trailer parked unhooked behind the tractor.

A little later, however, while all five of our children were playing outside, they noticed the tractor rolling down the hill. At least one of them wondered, “Who’s driving the tractor?” Oh, no one was driving that tractor. It was now helplessly rolling down the hill.

Praise the Lord that none of our children were near it when this happened, and no one was hurt or killed! Praise the Lord that no other vehicles were in the parking lot, and no damage was done! Praise the Lord that the tractor came to a perfect stop at the end of the gravel lot, and nothing bad happened! God’s mercy and grace are all over this story.

SIN HAS CONSEQUENCES

Well, God’s mercy and grace are all over this story, that is, until I walked outside the next morning for my (usually) very-enjoyable morning walk. Mercy and grace were not words that would describe my initial attitude toward my children when I saw what had happened.

When I first noticed what you can see in the above picture, I thought, “Why in the world did someone decide to use the tractor and then leave it down there? And, who was it?” That thinking was only for a moment, though, because I quickly realized it must have been something my children did. That was all that made sense.

How did this happen, though. When did this happen? How did my wife and I not know? How are all of our children still alive? Are we the worst parents ever? Do we have the worst children ever?

When everyone was awake, my wife and I questioned our children and quickly learned the truth, including the fact that all five of them knew who was guilty and knew what had happened. None said a word, however. No one told us, somehow thinking we would not find out and/or that it would not be a big deal if we did.

A John Deere tractor that our kids were playing around rolled 200 feet down a hill!

Needless to say, Marsha and I had a long, serious conversation with our children. Furthermore, they proceeded to lose a lot of privileges, and we hope they have learned their lesson.

You see, sin has consequences. In this case, disobedience and disrespect could have led to someone being killed, and death is the ultimate curse and consequence of sin.

THERE IS HOPE

On Sunday morning, Lord willing, I will be preaching on how we can “Find Hope in God’s Judgment” (Micah 4). Yes, sin has consequences. Yes, God judges sin. Yes, we all deserve the devastating eternal death that is the curse of sin. Yet, there is hope.

We are all sinful, but we can still be hopeful, hopeful if we know and follow Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The only hope that conquers sin and death is the hope of the gospel. Do you have this hope? Do you rejoice in this hope? Do you find satisfaction and contentment in this hope? Are you daily living for the God of this hope?

Like our children, we all deserve much greater consequences to our sins than we have received. The fact that we are still breathing, despite our countless failures and rebellions, is living proof. We deserve death but by trusting in Jesus’ death in our place and by believing in His resurrection from the dead, we can have life and have it abundantly.

Look out for the consequences of sin. Look out for God’s certain judgment. Look out by looking up (to Him). Look out by looking back (to the cross). Look out by looking forward (to eternal life). Only then will you have the hope that never dies.

P.S. – “Children, obey your parents as you would the Lord, because this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land” (Ephesians 6:1-3).

If you have yet to believe the gospel and surrender your life to Jesus Christ, please do not delay.

Judgment for Injustice

On Wednesday afternoon, I wept. Rarely do I cry when by myself – much less often than I probably should, particularly over my own sin. Yeah, I get emotional and shed tears sometimes when I preach and get passionate about God’s grace and forgiveness. When alone, though, I rarely get that way because, for whatever reason, the tears seem to come more when I am talking (or trying to talk) about something emotional.

On Wednesday, however, reality overwhelmed me. I have no idea what it feels like to be discriminated against. More importantly, I have no idea what it feels like to be choked to death. It sounds horrifying, though. It looks horrifying, as so many people learned like I did after the recent video of George Floyd’s murder. I saw the video Wednesday.

In February, Ahmaud Arbery was murdered, and the men known to be responsible were not charged with anything for weeks, until the video of the shooting was released. How is that possible?

How is it possible that George Floyd was allowed to be murdered by one police officer while other officers stood by?

THE BLAME

Please realize – I cannot imagine how difficult it is to be a law enforcement officer. I know several law enforcement officers and know them to be great people and great officers. I am grateful for what they do to serve and protect our community. They have a job that is beyond difficult. What certainly should not be difficult, though, is getting your knee off a person’s neck when the person is hand-cuffed and no longer struggling, and you have back-up. Surely, of all the difficulties that come with being a police officer, that should not be one of them.

What brought me to tears (and continues to bring me to tears even as I write this), however, is not the blame I place on law enforcement. What about me? How much of what is wrong with this country and the continued racial divide is my fault? My sinful pride is just as disgusting and just as damning as that of a racist or a criminal or a murderer.

What is wrong with this country? What is wrong with this world? I am. Pride like my pride is what divides. Sin like my sin is what destroys.

I really want to point my finger at those who are at fault in our country and in our world. I want to yell and scream and cry out, “Injustice!” First, I must point that finger at myself.

Sure, I have had black friends for as long as I can remember. My wife and I have an Ethiopian daughter and a Chinese son, and while I have never seen myself as a racist, my prideful sin that has harbored bitterness and resentment against others is no less appalling.

I, too, am guilty, and until I come to grips with that and realize the horror of my own sin before God and before others and repent, then I can never help those around me make our community better.

THE SOLUTION

Change needs to happen. Things need to get better. Injustice needs to be addressed.

Our country has to be better than it was decades ago when it comes to racial equality, right? I do not know. Some things are obviously better, but then again, it does not seem to be any better than when I was a kid during the Rodney King beating in Los Angeles.

I wish I had the brilliant solution that would fix the racial divide and allow for conversations and actions that would facilitate good change. Although I am really not that smart, I hope I can at least play a role in that process, even if just among my own community.

Here is what I do know about the solution, though… The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only thing that will solve our problems. The gospel is the only thing that will cleanse me of the guilt within and allow me to stop pointing the finger at myself and others. You see, the gospel allows me to point my finger at the cross because Jesus Christ took the judgment that I deserve. He died in my place for my sins. Then, He rose from the dead to win the victory over sin and death, so that everyone who turns to Him to forgiveness and eternal life will be made new. The gospel is a solution like no other because the gospel is the only solution that is eternal.

Whether you think you struggle with racism or not, would you look at yourself before looking at others? Whether you have contributed to injustice or not, would you recognize that you, too, are guilty? Whether you have experienced injustice or not, would you realize that no sin anyone commits against you is as bad as your sin (and my sin) that put Jesus on the cross?

Yes, black lives matter, and that is okay to say because it is true. Yes, blue lives matter, and that is okay to say because it is true. Yes, all lives matter, and that is okay to say because it is true. Remember, too, however, that we are all sinners, and the solution to our sin and brokenness is only found in and through Jesus Christ. Only He can change me, change you, and change our community for good.

On Sunday morning, Lord willing, I will be starting a new sermon series through the Old Testament book of Micah – Walk Humbly. How ironic (or not) that the first message, from Micah 1, will be on our need to “Recognize God’s Judgment.” Will we recognize the judgment we deserve? Will we recognize the judgment our nation deserves? Will I recognize the judgment I deserve? Will we recognize that the only solution to that judgment is Jesus?

Let’s trust God to change the world by changing us first. Check out The Story.

Why Justice & Politics Will Let You Down

How much hope do you place in worldly justice and/or politics? Your answer to that question likely indicates how encouraged or discouraged you are on a regular basis. The reality is that the justice and politics the world has to offer will leave you disappointed.

Yes, I still think we should vote. Yes, I still think we ought to take a stand for things that matter. But, the world has never known a truly just court, and the world has never seen a politician who can deliver continued hope.

Sure, there have been many heroes, including people who have accomplished great (and good) things politically, but does the change last? Do things just keep getting better? Do they fix all of our problems? Of course not.

Sadly, the good politicians seem to be quite rare in world history, and the devastating effects of oppression, injustice and corruption only continue.

Solomon’s words are still true today: “There is wickedness at the place of judgment and there is wickedness at the place of righteousness” (Ecclesiastes 3:16). Worldly justice and politics will let you down, but the Lord God will not let you down.

If you are trying to find your hope and security in justice and politics (or in anything(s) other than in the God who created you), will you consider seeking and trusting in the Lord?

This morning during our morning worship service with Richland Baptist Church, I preached on the “Futility of Justice and Politics,” sharing three reasons justice and politics will let you down (and what you need instead). You can listen to this and other messages HERE.

Please understand, I am grateful for the country in which we live and the hard work of those who seek to uphold justice and integrity. I praise God for people like my friend Jake (pictured below with his parents at his recent graduation), who is now a Missouri State Park Ranger. We must be careful, though, to realize the absolute futility of finding our hope and assurance in what people can do in a fallen world. Let’s serve and rely on one another, but let’s always find our hope in the Lord.