Sin is Lawlessness

February, 5th

 

Dear City Calvary,

On Tuesday of this week, I had something happen to me that hasn’t happened since 1986.  I was pulled over by officer friendly and given a ticket for speeding.  Big bummer and I have no one to blame but myself.  I want to fight it.  I want to get out of it.  I don’t want to pay it.  One option is to contest it but that won’t likely accomplish much because the cold hard facts are on record; the radar detector said 41 in a 30.  I could pay it but that is not appealing because the fine is $164 and the ticket goes on my record.  I could check the box for admission of guilt and throw myself at the mercy of the judge, hoping for a reduced or deferred sentence (no fine and no ding on my record as long as I don’t get another ticket for a year) and still pay $100 court filing fee.  My fourth option is to hire an attorney who would likely get the ticket dismissed for a nice one-time fee of $300.  Whatever option I choose, there will be pain.

This makes me think of our passage this past Sunday.  1 John 3:4-5 says “Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.  But you know that He appeared so that He might take away our sins.”  When we sin, we break the law.  The cold hard facts are on record and the evidence for conviction is complete.  We have no defense (you are included in “Everyone”).  There will be no deferred or reduced sentence.  We cannot pay enough to get out of it.  We are guilty of breaking God’s law and justice must be served.  However, this verse reminds us that Jesus appeared so that He would take away our sin.  He was punished for our violations against God’s law so that we could be forgiven and all charges dropped.  Isn’t that good news!!!

One positive thing that getting a ticket does is make me more conscious of my speed, that I maintain it close to the posted limit.  The speed limit laws are there for a good reason, for the safety of all on the roads.  I don’t want another ticket and even more, I don’t want to cause an accident.  The same is true when we repent of our sin and put our faith in Jesus. We realize what we have been forgiven of and the great price it took for justice to be served on our behalf.  This should have an impact on the way we live.  1 John 3:9 “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning because he has been born of God.”  We don’t want to live recklessly or without regard for God and His word/law.  We are born again, made into new creations, ready to live to honor Him with our lives. 

This coming Sunday, we will be looking at 1 John 3:11-24 and learn about the importance of loving one another.  Read ahead and be ready to learn and grow.  Regarding the report about the Myanmar mission trip, the team will be giving that presentation on February 15^th and not this coming weekend.  There will be people out of the service, helping prepare for the pancake breakfast.  They asked if we could postpone it for one week and that is what we will do.  Come to church with big appetites as the youth group will feed us a great breakfast.  See you Sunday.

Blessings in Jesus,

Pastor John