Daily Archives: August 29, 2007
Even in the little laws
“We know that everything in the Law was written for those who are under its power. The Law says these things to stop anyone from making excuses and to let God show that the whole world is guilty. God doesn’t accept people simply because they obey the Law. No, indeed! All the Law does is to point out our sin.” – Romans 3:19-20 (CEV)
Romans is my favorite book of the Bible. Set aside the exquisite writing, it quiets every argument against grace. Since the beginning of time, people have been trying to be God. We want to prove we’re excellent enough to set the rules. Even when faced with God’s rules, we try to convince ourselves and everyone around us that we meet the standards without exception. We claim to do everything right, but we never do. None of us is perfect. None of us truly meets God’s standard of righteousness. To prove this, God gave us the Law. If you’re Jewish, you know what that means. If you’re a Gentile like me, you may understand something about the Law, but you have no idea of the weight of the law. That is, unless you’ve actually read through Leviticus and Deuteronomy and tried to live by the 614 regulations stated there. The Law was given to humanity not to offer a path to salvation, but to highlight our need for grace. Even the “little” laws do this.
I got a ticket today. I’ve been driving for sixteen years and have only been pulled over twice.
The first time was the day before my wedding. I was so giddy about becoming Mrs. Richard P. Dennis that the officer let me go with well wishes for our nuptials. Our wedding memories included over three feet of snow, a fire, lost contacts, cancelled flights and a bunch of relatives trapped in a hotel with nothing more than frozen dinners and a microwave. And, of course, my almost speeding ticket. I loved that day!
The second time was today. I wasn’t giddy today. We were driving to the mall for a price adjustment. A certain sale is offering the school clothes I bought three weeks ago for Isabel at one-third the price I paid. I was already frustrated at the need for the trip and my impatience to wait for a sale in the first place. Then, in the car, Isabel started arguing with me over something, I don’t remember what. I missed my turn and was forced to take the longer route. I continued barking at Isabel then saw the police officer step into the street in front of me. It was then I looked at the speed: 50 mph in a 35 mph zone. It gets worse. I couldn’t find our proof of insurance. I found four insurance cards in the glove box, but none of them were the right one and all were expired. Fortunately, the officer was merciful. Yes, I got a ticket. I actually have a court date and a point on my license, but he didn’t impound the car. That’s good – right? He waved to the kids and told me since I had them with me – well, if I hadn’t had them with me, he would have impounded the car immediately.
I spent the rest of the drive and our entire time at the mall blaming everyone but myself. If Isabel hadn’t been so argumentative, I would have been more focused on my driving. If the store didn’t have such high prices, I wouldn’t need an adjustment and we wouldn’t have been on the road in the first place. Why is the speed limit thirty-five there anyway? It’s clearly a nonresidential road and so the limit should be higher! I’ve never seen any kids around there. And where is my insurance card?! I blamed the city, the other drivers (who prevented me from making my turn), Isabel, Rick (poor guy wasn’t even in the same county), and just about everyone. Everyone but me. But none of them were at fault. I was speeding. I am to blame.
The Law is not intended to prove how good we are. Its purpose is to prove how good we are not. This was just the speed limit, but the implications are vast. This one little law, when broken, shed light on so many of my imperfections: my pride, arrogance, slanderous thoughts, impatience, unloving attitudes, disrespect for authority … I am in desperate need of God’s grace! Praise God for the Law!! Without it, I would think I was doing pretty well. With it, my shortcomings are unmistakable. My only way out is through repentance.
Praise God for His goodness! May it always be more obvious than my faults.
Photo by Elvis Santana, used with permission. yotophoto.com
