Posted on 03/27/2014 10:20:21 AM PDT by Repent and Believe
The Ten Commandments of The Automakers:
1. Thou shalt not drive thy automobile without having oil in the engine
2. Thou shalt not drive thy automobile without a connected battery of 12 volts D.C.
3. Thou shalt not lock the doors of thy automobile and dispose of all of the keys
4. Thou shalt not cover all of the openings provided through which to view the surroundings
5. Thou shalt not remove all of the wheels on thy automobile’s axles
6. Thou shalt not remove thy steering wheel with which to control the automobile’s direction
7. Thou shalt not forget thy ignition key
8. Thou shalt not permit thy automobile’s fuel tank to remain empty
9. Thou shalt maintain working brakes in thy automobile
10. Thou shalt not remove thy air filter and pour sand into thy air intake nor block the air intake as with a rag or bag or other severe obstruction
If the auto owner were to violate any one of the above 10 commandments provided by the automaker his driving experience would very soon become a curse. If he were to follow all of them his driving experience would be likely very useful, fruitful and enjoyable experience – a blessing.
So it is with the 10 commandments provided mankind by his Maker, God (Who is to be praised and thanked always for his great love and kindness and absolute power and dominion!) If someone practices all but one of His ten commandments, that person will experience the curse of that one omission, just like an automobile is a cursed heap of metal and plastic and rubber without all of its proper needs met. After all, the driver is not more of an expert on automobiles than the engineers and assemblers who made and built it!
You said, “…we do not have to be, and, in fact, cannot be perfect.”
Jesus said, “Be ye perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
You said, “…If my works have anything to do with my salvation, then Christ’s sacrifice was useless.”
Look at it, rather, this way: It is due to Christ’s sacrifice that my works are able to help save me. Were His sacrifice of no use then my works would not even be considered in the equation. This is not a matter of pridefully earning heaven, but a matter of living in the fear of the Lord. And it has to do with following in His footsteps.
Look, Adam and Eve (that means we) really blew it in the garden. We deserved to be thrown into hell for all eternity without a second thought. But since God is love, he sent His only begotten Son on our behalf. So now it is possible to please God with our works as we live in Jesus through the grace that He offers us.
To many at the last judgment He shall say, “Depart from Me, for when I was thirsty you did not…” This evaluation is based upon works versus no works.
“those who did good will come forth to life; and those who did evil will come forth to judgment.” (John 5:29)
You said, “…How can I, therefore, do anything to unearn or undeserve that salvation, except to willfully reject Him.”
To sin seriously is to willfully reject Him. The two are the same. “If you love me then keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)
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