Guilty

I recently renewed my fishing license. I also renewed my annual “SIP” permit. I’m good to go. You know, the fact is that you can fish without a license. You may even catch more fish than I do. And you may never get caught. But I have to tell you this. I just feel better when I’m out in a boat knowing that I meet all of the legal regulations. If a game warden approaches me I have no reason to get nervous. I will pull out my license and keep on fishing.

I’m sure you’ve noticed this on the highway. Your traveling along, perhaps going 74 mph on the interstate, and all of a sudden brake lights are shining everywhere. You have to brake yourself. And before you know it you’re going 60 mph. You wonder if there is an accident. But then you see it. The state patrol car, or the sheriff deputy truck is stopped on the side of the road, lights flashing, with someone pulled over.

I get it if you are in the far-right lane. The law requires that you either move over, or that you slow down significantly. And there is a reason for the law. It is the safety of the law enforcement officer. It’s the right thing to do.

But if you are going 70 mph in a 70-mph zone, and you are in the far-left lane, why are you slowing down? You are obeying the law. You have no reason to slow down. There is no need for you to be afraid. And yet, everyone slams on the brakes, and we travel 10 miles under the speed limit until we are 100 yards past the patrol car. And then look out. The race is back underway.

I think it is a guilty conscience that causes this. Even though I may be obeying the speed limit at the moment, I am aware that there are other times that I have not. And so, out of guilt I slow down. I look around. I glance in my rearview mirror to make sure I am not being followed. I have a guilty conscience.

The fact is that we all ought to have a guilty conscience at times. We are all sinners. We all need God’s forgiveness. And we are blessed that He offers it when we confess our sin and repent from it. I am so grateful for the grace of God. It is the only reason I have hope. I pray that you will have this hope, too.