The Scary Tension

Because of grace we’ve been liberated from sin, from its slavery, its bondage in our angle, in our urges, and in our actions. But having been liberated and now living by grace, we are able to basically go too far, put aside all self control, and take our freedom to such an acute that we again serve sin. But that isn’t freedom at all, that is license.

And knowing of that chance, many go for legalism lest they get tempted to live irresponsibly. How much better to have such an awe-inspiring respect for the Lord we willingly hold back as we apply willpower. My pa had been with me almost all of the time during my learning experiences, quietly sitting alongside me in the front seat, giving me tips, helping me know what to do. My ma sometimes was not in on those expeditions as she spent more of her time biting her nails ( and screaming ) than she did advising. When I might drive his vehicle, I’d hit things. He’d say stuff like, “Just keep on going, Bud.

You are learning.” What a great old man. I won’t forget the day I came in, flashed my newly purchased permit, and claimed, “Dad, look. “Holding the keys to his auto, he tossed them in my direction and grinned, “Tell you what, child. You may have the automobile for 2 hours, all on your own.” Only 4 words, but how amazing : “All on your own.”. I thanked him, danced out to the garage, opened the auto door, and shoved the key into the ignition.

My heartbeat rate must have shot up to 180 as I backed out of the drive and roared off. While cruising along “all on my own,” I started to think wild stuff—like, This vehicle can potentially do one hundred miles an hour.

I could go to Galveston and back twice in 2 hours if I averaged a hundred miles an hour. But you know what? I did not do any of them.

I do not believe I drove above the road limit. Fantastic, huh? I had my pop’s vehicle all to myself with a full gas tank in a context of total privacy and liberty, but I failed to go mad. Why? My relationship with my pop and my grandpa was so powerful that I could not, although I had a license and no-one was in the vehicle to curb me. Over a time period there had developed a feeling of trust, a deep love relationship that held me in restraint. After tossing me the keys, my father did not dash out and tape a sign on the dashboard of the vehicle, “Don’t you dare drive outside the speed limit” or “Cops are all round the town, and they’ll catch you, boy, so don’t dare think about taking a risk.” He simply smiled and announced, “Here are the keys, boy, enjoy it.” What a demonstration of grace. Looking backwards, now that I am a dad who has relived the same scene on 4 different occasions with my kids, I realize what a risk my pop had taken.