the basic message # E65
Psalm 34:9
Fear the Lord, you saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.
“No Fear”, the sticker boldly proclaims from the pickup truck window. By scriptural definition, this person can’t be a Christian, since God commands us to fear him in many passages of scripture. The “No Fear” man probably never considered the connotation in stating his lack of fear, but what about the other bumper decorations we see? How about, “Yes Lord, we will ride with you”. What the heck does that mean? Or how about the car window decoration featuring Calvin from the Calvin and Hobbs cartoon who seems to be urinating on everything and everybody in sight. Now I see stickers with the little fellow kneeling at the foot of the cross. So, is Calvin a Christian, or a little troublemaker who has no respect for anyone? Would the real Calvin please stand up? Maybe Calvin should be the poster-boy for Christians who can’t seem to decide whose side they’re on.
James 2:14
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but no deeds?
A person’s deeds includes how he drives, so let’s not leave out the famous “Jesus fish” stickers seen on thousands of cars each day. Perhaps it’s my imagination, but it seems like some of the most rude drivers I’ve seen have the Jesus fish on the back of their cars.. One day a truck almost ran over me on the interstate. Guess what the license plate said on the front of the truck? JESUS. Great advertising for our Lord, Mr. Speed Demon. I compare obeying the speed limit to living an obedient life. There will be times when we will have a legitimate reason to speed, but that shouldn’t be our normal driving mode. Speeding should be the exception, not the rule. “Oh my goodness, John, are you saying speeding is a sin too?” I’m not, but someone else did-
Romans 13:1-2
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
Clear on that point now? How about this famous bumper sticker: “God is my co-pilot”. Sorry, pal, but God doesn’t settle for anything less than the Captain’s seat. Not only have many people reduced God to the role of co-pilot, some folks have even demoted him to flight attendant (Get me a cup of decafe boy!!). Let’s not forget the infamous, “Christians aren’t perfect, only forgiven”. Don’t aim for perfection my friends, rather, aim for excellence, since we will never be perfect on this earth. I think we can change the world one person at a time, but!, before we can change anyone, we must begin a change in ourselves. Jesus talked a little about that too:
Matthew 7:3
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”