I came around a corner and discovered a huge 18-wheeler stopped in front of a crosswalk. It is the law in Massachusetts to stop when a pedestrian wishes to cross at a crosswalk so I too stopped. We, the trucker and I in my pickup, waited while a Scottie dog crossed the street. There was no human in sight as he held his head high and walked precisely between the lines. It was amazing. I thought I must have been on Candid Camera.
As the huge truck lurched forward and as I proceeded along my way I thought about how well the world works when everyone obeys the rules. When we are where we are supposed to be and do what we are supposed to do life works. And that is what God’s laws are all about. The Ten Commandments are nothing more than a concerned wise Father telling us to use the crosswalk and not to play in the street. God never asks us to do anything that is not in our best interest. He never asks us not to do something if it would be good for us to do.
Sometimes we are afraid to tell our youth they are saved by grace lest they run out and break all the commandments. We underestimate their intelligence. Instead of teaching the heresy of salvation by behavior lets pour our energy in explaining just why the laws exist. Just maybe we as adults will then also understand that life works, families are blessed and people prosper when we listen, understand and obey. Psalm 119:1
Written by Roger Bothwell on November 21, 2003.
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