What impresses me about this up and coming race season is how much it costs to be ready. I have purchased a new helmet, race suit, kart nose cone, bearings and had engines rebuilt. I have spent much of my spare time in the last three months tearing down and rebuilding my karts. While doing that I came across a crack in the main frame that was almost completely around. I said a prayer, “Thank you Lord", for I hadn't finished my last race at the rough I.R.P track because of another problem. But it was no problem for me to take it to a welder and drop $50 to fix it.
Why has it become so easy to pay for the cost of racing? Because of the joy set before me. It’s obvious, I love racing, the total package. I love the track experience, the competition, the fellowship with my racing friends, especially my daughter. Add to that the open door to share the Lord, what more could I ask? Let’s take this thought of cost and joy and relate it to God.
In Isaiah 53:5-10 it says about Jesus, "He was bruised for our iniquities, it pleased the Lord to bruise Him." Taken from a story told by Evangelist Ray Comfort, let me illustrate how this relates to us. A small boy was forbidden by his father from touching an antique vase. One day the child not only touched it, he accidentally broke it. But he wasn't concerned because he thought it could be easily replaced. When the father found out it was broken, he told his son that it was worth $25,000. It was only when the child understood the vase's true value that he saw the seriousness of his transgression and felt sorrow of heart. When the father saw that the child was truly sorry, he said, "Son, it's going to cost everything I have, but because I love you, I will replace it myself."
In the same way, only the realization of our sin can bring home to us the tremendous cost the Father would have to pay to grant us forgiveness. The Ten Commandments were given as a standard for living. Have we loved God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength? Any graven images, like forming a god in our minds which is not the true God of the Bible? Have we remembered the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy, honored our parents, hated, stolen, lied, coveted? It is clear; we are all guilty without excuse.
The just Father paid the cost by the sacrificial death of his Son. Why did this please the Father? Because of you and me and the joy He would have as each of us comes to Him through Christ. John 1:12 says "But as many as would receive Him, to those who believe in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." Have you received Him?
