It was one of our weekend rides, that found us out near an old girlfriend
of BH. At an hour when all sane people are fast asleep, we found our 230am
desire to hook up with her a priority. In the midst of the Pocono Mountains in
eastern Pennsylvania, the roads get dark, there are few people, yet still
chances to get in trouble. Which we soon found out...It seems the appearance in
some small towns of motorcyclists can be cause for alarm, and that morning, a
local Leroy, aka the sheriff pulled us over. Performing his sworn civic duty,
he asked for our licenses, and had begun questioning us as to why we were out at
such a time, when suddenly, a chopper went by, and in the full illumination of
the streetlight, you could see he had no helmet. Pennsylvania had a helmet law
at the time. Quickly handing our licenses back to us “here hold these, I’ll be
right back,” he took off in pursuit of the scofflaw. As soon as he was out of
sight, without words, we took off in the other direction. What made him think
we would stand there in the dark for who knows how long so he could return and
give us a ticket? For doing nothing but riding after midnight? So we fled the
scene, and never looked back, gave up on the quest for the old girlfriend, and
slept along the road for a few hours, before continuing our ride. Later we
joked about what we had done, but we were glad we had done what we did. The
jury still may be out on our decision, but what would you have done? What if it
was hours? What if he never came back? What if he did? And we never got a
chance to meet the chopper rider to thank him. Another take on the biker
brotherhood, and taking one for the team.
Scripture tells us we are to confess our sins, that Jesus is just and will
forgive us, and purify us from all unrighteousness. But unlike asking for
forgiveness, confessing God does not have to include sin. We only confess our
sins and ask for forgiveness when we realize our actions are wrong, but when
Jesus Christ comes into our lives, our lifestyle, words, attitudes, and actions
should confess him. They should represent him as we go about our daily lives.
A funny thing happens to a Christian when they don’t confess Jesus in their
lives, they fall into sin. For if we are in God’s will, being led by the
spirit, we will be doing no wrong, remember we only need forgiveness and mercy
after we sin, and we are forgiven for now and forever. But confession...that’s
different. For Jesus tells us that if we do not confess him before men, he will
not confess us before his heavenly father. And when we fall back into sin,
because we neglect God, by our actions, then we see the importance of confessing
him in our lives. Christians who stop or don’t confess Christ are miserable,
and hard to deal with. Soon we quit calling on them, and their witness is in
shambles. Then they need to turn and seek forgiveness, because they have failed
to confess Jesus as he tells us. Purification is an ongoing process, for we get
dirty and need to shower, and our heart can deny us and we can get it dirty.
Only God can clean us up, and is willing to.
But what of those who profess but don’t confess? Even a non-believer is
confessing his belief or non-belief by his lifestyle. If we profess to be a
Christian, the world expects us to act like one, or at least their vision of
one. It is only when walking in the spirit we truly confess Jesus, for the
world and all its temptations can easily cause us to stray. We need to be in
the word, and have the word in us. We need to see God in all things, both
spiritual and secular. To thank him when we see the beauty of a flowery field,
when watching a sunset, or seeing new baby. But also to see the dark side of
those lost and who need salvation, for we are the ambassador God chose to reveal
his love. So do you have a confession to make about Jesus Christ today?
Without your Christian t-shirt, your regular place in church, your Bible book
cover or bumper sticker, will anyone know you know Jesus? Do you confess him in
spirit and truth to a lost and dying world, or just to other believers? Is
there any evidence in your life of Jesus Christ? Would anyone accuse you of
being a Christian? What would you say if they did?
Jesus is faithful and just. We never stuck around to see if the sheriff
was. The law is like that, love isn’t. Love purifies, gives hope, and saves.
The law condemns and convicts. Under grace we are no longer under the law, but
have been given one law, that of love. As Jesus himself did. The disciples
fell asleep one night, and Jesus confronted them, “couldn’t you have stayed
awake just ne more hour?” Today that hour may be required of you, will you
confess Jesus when needed? Or will you make an excuse? Will you flee the
scene? When you become a Christian, you have marked yourself as not of this
world. And much is expected of you. Take the time to show love and compassion
to all you meet. If you don’t, you will need to ask forgiveness. So please, I
ask, don’t do anything to me that will cause me to have to forgive you. And I
will do the same. In the name of Jesus....
Our story of that night was certainly different than the one the sheriff
told, if he told it at all. What would you have done? If I have caused any to
go astray, I am sorry. Forgive me. Seems we got the forgiveness part down, we
are masters at sinning. Now about confession....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com