Faith

As traffic moved forward at an intersection, a car on my left drove around me, crossed both lanes of traffic, dodged several cars and then sped away. I felt both anger and disbelief at the driver who violated a red light simply because he did not want to stop and wait his turn.

Laws (such as traffic signals) are made to protect us and ensure our rights as citizens against abuses by other people, organizations and the government itself. When men live by their own rules and beliefs, chaos and rebellion occur.

However, God provides us with a vehicle, His written Word, to guide our hearts and minds.

The Apostle Paul challenges us in Ephesians 5:15-21: “Live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility, not as men who do not know the meaning and purpose of life but as those who do. Make the best use of your time, despite all the difficulties of these days. Don’t be vague but firmly grasp what you know to be the will of God.  … and fit in with each other, because of your common reverence for Christ.”

Like traffic signals, God gives us very clear, basic laws called the Ten Commandments [Exodus 20:1-17] that allow men and women to live in harmony and order. The first four laws are about our relationship to God; the remaining six deal with our relationship to other people. Violating God’s laws causes confusion and damages our relationships vertically with God and horizontally with men and women.

These laws written by God allow our lives to flow peacefully and with purpose. God does not want to restrict or punish us. He desires to protect and bless us as a loving Father.

GOD’S TRAFFIC SIGNALS 

Red Light – means STOP! In the Bible, clear standards and directions are given. When we run through God’s Red lights, we live life irresponsibly with dangerous consequences.

Isaiah 8:20: “Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark.”

Yellow Light – means PROCEED WITH EXTREME CAUTION!  Yellow lights deal with gray areas (questionable situations or behaviors) in life. Living in confusion about what is right or wrong, our adversary (Satan) encourages our decisions to be made by feelings or emotions. But God gives us answers in His Word.

RON AND BETH WELLS

At Centrepoint Ministries in Tyler, Ron and his wife, Beth, use teaching, mentoring and discipleship to help people develop stronger relationships. centrepoint.cc. 

A yellow light alerts us to move with caution, and invites us to search God’s Word and seek godly counsel to guide us.

Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp for my feet,  a light on my path.”

Green Light – means GO! When God’s Word is clear, we are to do it! Loving others as ourselves; forgiving one another; sharing generously with those in need; speaking truth and keeping our word – these lights do not get any greener.

When we sit through God’s green lights, we lose opportunities to do the “right thing” toward our family, neighbors, friends, and even enemies.  

Hebrews 11:8: “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”

THINK OF THE FOUR A’S

How do we live responsibly? The four A’s can help. 

1. Accountability: Do you allow people you trust to hold you accountable? When the Prophet Nathan confronted King David with the murder of another man, David faced his wrongdoing with deep repentance. Aligning us with what is right, these trusted ones can “speak truth” into our lives for good. If a trust has been broken, accountability can help to restore these relationships.

2. Accessibility: Allow trusted people to access the “rooms” in your life. Everything should be open including your datebook, your checkbook, your electronic devices and Internet searches. Allow no hidden secrets or relationships in your life, and face hard issues and struggles with courage and transparency.

3. Accuracy: The Bible is accurate and true. Develop an intimate knowledge of God’s Word by reading it, obeying it and living it. When lost, we need an accurate map – one without mistakes to show us the way. God’s Word is our map for living. Martin Luther says, “The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold of me.” The Bible is always relevant and eternal and a perfect standard to live by.

4. Action: Do what you know to do! Act on decisions based on truths found in God’s Word and not on feelings. Proceed forward – nothing happens until you act. Theoretical knowledge changes nothing until it is practiced.

God gives us instructions to live by. We would never buy an automobile or large appliance without following the manufacturer’s guide. However, we often follow public opinion and human reasoning before God’s truth. If God is not the Author of how we live, then men write their own laws with grave consequences.

 It is a challenge to live life responsibly. Life, ultimately, is about personal choices – our way or God’s way. We can ignore God’s signals to our hearts, minds, and spirits and live by our own rules; or, we can choose to seek and obey the Creator God who loves us and speaks to us through His Word. The choice is ours.