Claim denied. Now then, let’s stop a moment . . . there definitely is an air of finality about that statement. Immediately our minds flood with questions: what claim?—was there an accident?–were there injuries? — will remuneration be met?
Yes, there was an accident and let’s go back to the curbside of the drive leading on to the busy thoroughfare. We see a bicyclist near the curb about to make a left turn into the drive, and then a Chrysler sedan appears and slows down. We see the driver making a quick look for traffic to the left and without stopping proceeds to consummate a right turn.
What we are witnessing is two moving objects—and collision. The Chrysler, hitting and running over the front wheel of the bicycle, grinds to a halt. “I didn’t see you!” exclaims the young driver to our cyclist lying prone on the roadway.
Are we experiencing fear? – –Fear for the cyclist who is pulling one leg out from under the bicycle and then getting up. There is no injury and we think of the ‘protective fear’ of the LORD that the Psalmist delineates: “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”
We look now at the twisted frame of the former operative three speed. Is not this a very definite property damage brought upon one by another? Will the courts of the land grant restitution? While we wait for the answer we think of the wisdom of the great King Solomon who tells us in Ecclesiastes, “Whoso keepeth the commandment shall fed no evil thing; and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment. Because to every purpose there is time and judgment.”
Anxiously we await the decision; then we hear it. The law reads with only 1% of ‘contributory negligence’ (herein both parties are negligently involved — the cyclist turning from the inside and the driver slowing down but not looking to the right before turning the claim is denied.
This example leaves us on the cliff of life’s experiences with our sympathies relegating toward the receiver of damage; there will be no adjustment for the loss suffered. But are not these things of the earth, earthy, and of little consequence when we consider that forthcoming greater tribunal when the Lord of heavens w ill descend to proclaim judgment on the just and the unjust? When the law of the land in this case of ‘contributory negligence’ says that if you are 1% guilty you are guilty of the whole, can we expect less impunity for the small 1% wrong doings’ from our God who is magistrate overall?
The Apostle Paul tells us that ” The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” We recognize sin to be transgression of God’s law–but how much sin will mean eternal damnation? “Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point is guilty of all.”
How unbreakable, like the law of the land, will be that final judgment of God. As surely as we are experiencing the exactness at hand in today’s claim where restitution is denied because of negligence, we each must face that everlasting judgement. The choice to follow righteousness is ours, and if sin reigns we may expect the words of Christ professing, never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
But we serve a gracious God who has provided the means of covering our sins. He is ready’ and willing to forgive if we come to Him through His Son and if we follow His commands. With God’s commands the rule of our life, may’ we then expect to abound with entrance accepted as the judgement of Christ sounds forth, “Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”
Let us now look at three passages in Titus (1:2; 2:13; 3:7) and bring to a conclusion the great hope and reward for which the righteous children of God are looking forward:
In the hope of eternal life which God that cannot he, promised be fore the world began,
Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the Great God and our Saviour Jesus host,
That being justified by his grace we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life
Assuredly we must strive for that one hope and not let a 1% sinning be our undoing Let us therefore abide in the will of God ts we seek to make Life Eternal our claim not to be denied
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One