An Accident Going Somewhere To Happen
Categories: Bible Study LessonsLet no one think this is a blanket condemnation of motorcycles. It is not. Illustrations from life and personal experiences, however, sometimes can be helpful in understanding principles. When I was seven or eight years old, my oldest sister married a long, tall, thin drink of water named “Jack.” Jack loved motorcycles. He owned the biggest Harley available in west Texas in the early 1950s. My Momma said, “That is just an accident going somewhere to happen.” Sure enough, before my sister’s first anniversary, Jack took a bad spill. Scab from head to toe he laid unconscious on a bed in our house for a long time. That scared me as a little boy. Since that time I have found no joy but rather terror in the use of motorcycles. Don’t misunderstand. I’m no coward about this. I have not only ridden with others on cycles, I have ridden alone. Never comfortable. Other folks are afraid of other things. Some just can’t fly, but I love flying. Some people can’t go near water but I love water and swimming. Because public places are inundated with practical nudity, I don’t swim much any more.
I don’t believe in “spiritual accidents.” Unlike happenings in the physical realm where, an attempt to do something or merely being an “innocent bystander” can result in accidents that can either maim or kill, in the spiritual realm, when an individual commits a sin, it is no accident. James, the half brother of Jesus said in 1:13-16, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man: but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away buy his own lust. and enticed. Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin: and the sin, when it is fullgrown, bringeth forth death. Be not deceived, my beloved brethren.”
Not only is sin no accident, but salvation is no accident. One of this scribe’s favorite Old Testament passages is Isaiah 35:8-10 in which God said, “…the wayfaring men, yea fools, shall not err therein.” When I was a boy listening to Gospel preachers I often heard them use this as proof of the simplicity of the Gospel. The follow up statement was usually, “Anyone, even fools, can understand the Gospel.” However, I am sure, now, that this passages teaches that no one enters this way as a matter of accident. Jesus said, in Luke 13:24, “Strive to enter in by the narrow door: for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” No one strives to accomplish an accident. In Matthew 7:13-14 Jesus said, “Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it.” No individual becomes a Christian by accident nor does one remain in the faithful category by accident. “Here, moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful, 1 Cor. 4:2. Salvation comes to those who “obey” Jesus, Heb. 5:8-9. We are to “observe all things whatsoever I (Jesus) commanded you” Matt. 28:20. The apostle Paul was inspired to put it this way, “Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves as servants unto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness,” Rom. 6:16.
I don’t like accidents in the physical realm. No innocent victim is blameworthy in a genuine accident. God will not accept an excuse proffered under the disguise that sin is an accident. No wonder Jesus said, “If any man willeth to do his will…” John 7:17. Thank God that when we do sin (no accident) He has provided conditions for forgiveness both for the alien sinner and for the saint who falls. Eschewing an excuse, no accident, learn what Jesus requires in His last will and Testament to become an heir and to remain in that eternally beneficial position.