When asked about how to go about becoming rich, he answered, “get close to
a rich uncle when he is dying.” Not sure if it is urban legend or truth, but
Malcolm Forbes was a very rich man. Who loved to ride motorcycles, and under
the moniker of Capitalist Tool, organized rides around the world, including a
famous one into Russia, where very few Americans traveled. When he first got
the fever to ride, he bought his whole family motorcycles, then bought into a
dealership with Hank Slegers, forming Slegers-Forbes, the first mega dealer in
the US of A. Just as Steve McQueen described himself as a motorcyclist who
liked to act, Malcolm was a motorcyclist who ran an empire. And in New Jersey
became a legend among those of us who ride.
The Garden State Parkway was and is a beautiful road designed for limited
access via toll. Which used to ban motorcycles, which upset Malcolm. And us.
Since it was private, they could do what they wanted, but still patrolled by the
State Police. So no motorcycles, period. Think of a freeway with no Jon or
Ponch patrolling, they would be banned also. But for one shining moment, with
Malcolm leading, we rode down the Parkway. With a police escort, not to lead
us, but to lead us off. After being pulled over, all 50 of us or so, we were
verbally warned, no cop wanted to write 50 tickets, and led off at the next
exit. When as soon as the officer left, we got back on. And the scenario
repeated itself, gathering much needed attention, and some years later
motorcyclists were no longer banned. And when riding it a few years back,
somehow the thrill was gone, no longer a rebel, I was welcomed at each toll
plaza as a paying customer. Not sure how much of an impact we made that day,
but we always felt victorious in our battle against the man, and the road he
patrolled. Chalk one up for Malcolm, for without his name recognition and love
of riding, we still may be an endangered species on the Parkway.
There is never any reason to sin, but when we do we have an advocate in
Jesus Christ. But if we try to make excuses and represent ourselves, it doesn’t
work. His defense is to no avail if we try to defend ourself and our actions.
You can either rely on his atoning blood and forgiveness, or make excuses for
your actions, knowing they are sinful, but whining to God who knows better. You
can make excuses that under the circumstances you had no choice, or the action
wasn’t sin, but God knows. As long as you remain defiant or evasive, you are
still justifying and excusing yourself, and therefore the judge can only permit
the inevitable, the built-in judgment that follows to upset you, overthrow you,
harass and baffle you, leaving you in weakness and open to attack. But if you
stop justifying your sin, Jesus will justify you. His blood cannot cleanse
excuses, only sin.
So why do so many Christians suffer needlessly? They operate under their
own gospel, denying the power of the spirit God has granted them. It’s only a
glass of wine, only an R rated movie, only a wink at work, just a small cheat on
my taxes. But once sin has entered, and the door of our heart locked behind it,
we are as messed up as the world, as if telling Jesus “I don’t need to be
healed, I am fine as I am,” and the excuses continue. We deny the sin, calling
it a weakness, and making excuses for it, as we decay further and further. It
cuts the bottom out of the redemptive power of the cross, denying his grace and
mercy, and we suffer for it. And all those whom we encounter. There is no
isolated sin, it is more powerful than gravity, more destructive than the wind,
and ever present. But we can stand up against it and win in the spirit, “for
not by might, not by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord.” So stop making
excuses for your actions, and start acknowledging the grace of God in Jesus
Christ.
Riding with Malcolm that day we were prepared to get a citation. We were
riding where it was illegal. But the judge on duty, the State Policeman, showed
us mercy. He faced a gang and didn’t want to provoke them any further. Soon it
became a game for us, a frustration for them. Think sin is a game? If it
wasn’t fun, would you still do it? The office made excuses and let us go, we
too have a judgment ahead, where in Christ we will be found not guilty and
allowed into heaven. All others go to hell. No free pass, no final exit
chance. It is a choice made via excuses and denying the truth. And when
Christians who know better do it, what does that show the world about Jesus? Is
he a joke like your witness, your life? What you follow controls you, we
followed Malcolm that day, and for better or worse, we would reap what we
sowed. Same with your sin, is Jesus who he said he is except for you? That day
we had Malcolm, who do you ride with daily? Who do you trust to get you down
the road? Are you guided by circumstances or the holy spirit? Still making
excuses, repent, turn away from your excuses, which are really just lies
packaged for you, but with lousy results, and come back to Jesus. Trust him
again. Jesus works on your behalf. Wonderful counselor he is called. And who
doesn’t need one when tried?
Or you can go on sinning, amassing tickets until you lose your license and
cannot ride anywhere. Is sin worth giving up your freedom to ride when and
where you want? Maybe a reminder the next time you accelerate onto the freeway,
the law kills, grace adds life. The law adds points to your license, grace
removed all traces of sin from your record. Next case please, “who do you have
representing you today?” “And how do you plead...”
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
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