I confess to having recently received a red
light camera ticket. One evening just before
the new year on the way home from visiting
friends, we approached an intersection. The
light turned yellow, and I didn't think there
was time to stop safely on the slick road, so
I went through. Bad call! The light turned red
as I was going through.
I knew I was busted before we cleared the
intersection, because I saw the flash on the
camera go off. I'm now $237 poorer (OUCH) but
at least with a photo ticket it doesn't impact
my driving record or insurance rate. It's the
first ticket I've had in many years, and
prayerfully the last.
People complain about photo radar and red
light camera tickets, claiming that they are
just a cash grab. The reality is that if we
didn't speed or go through red lights, we
would never have to worry. I could complain
about the ticket I received. I could say that
it was strictly a judgement difference. The
truth is that no matter what the reason, I
went through the red light. I'm guilty. I'm
not happy about that fact, but it's pretty
hard to argue
We often try and justify our breaking of
the rules. We're masters of justifying and
making excuses. No one else obeys the rules. I
had a reason to be speeding. My employer
underpays me so they can afford it if I take a
few things home. Who is going to know? No one
is being hurt. It's only one time. I'm not as
bad as he is.
People even try and rewrite the Bible to
excuse their sin. Oh God didn't really mean
that. That was for then, things are different
now. Jesus didn't really say that, it was
added later. The list goes on and on. I'm sure
you've probably heard (or used) some of the
excuses yourself.
The truth is we're often more repentant
over being caught than over having sinned.
That reveals a heart condition that needs
adjusting because sinning is never excusable.
The fact is sin is sin. God knows what's
best and He knows any sin is too much and
without justification. As His children we're
called to not sin and to be holy.
But just as he who called you is holy,
so be holy in all you do; for it is written:
"Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter
1:15-16 NIV
He knows that we won't be perfect and He
offers us redemption when we fall short, but
the call is still to be righteous. The call is
to shed our sin and be blameless.
Walking in the light involves a choice. So
does staying in the light.
Until next time, may He convict us of our
sin and teach us that He's interested in pure
hearts not excuses.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)!
Kevin
