You can’t save yourself, but…

A couple of months ago, my neighbors put out a simple yard sign with an open book and block letters across it. The sign read:

I drove by it many times, each one thinking “I know which neighbor I don’t need to invite over for Christmas dinner.” Or maybe I do and just probably won’t.

Then, after some time, they started changing the words on the sign. Apparently the text is re/movable. I noticed this on the way in:

Another popular protestant phrase. And I was about 100 yards further when it dawned on me. Do they not see the conflict between these two signs?

In one sign we have actions leading to condemnation.

In the other, we have actions having no merit in the matter of grace.

I had never noticed how strange this, quite popular theology actually is. That works can lead to death, but not to grace.

You can only talk yourself into a ticket.

I was told once that you should not over share when you are pulled over by a police officer. Let them tell you what they want. Let them ask questions. Respond only when spoken to. The reason is that they have, more often than not, already decided whether or not to give you a ticket. You are not likely to talk yourself out of one. But you may talk yourself into one.

You can only talk yourself into a ticket. Is that really how GOD operates? Like a cop who only cares about the rules and is on the lookout for opportunities to think you are being too obnoxious to get away Scot free? Are these not the same ones who insist we refer to GOD as father?

A strange view of GOD

I wonder how many Christians believe GOD works that way. That GOD is already planning what is going to happen to you. That nothing you can do could delight or please GOD more. But you could certain earn GOD’s hate.

What parent wouldn’t love their child unconditionally? And yet what father is incapable of being proud or thankful for a child; lacks the wisdom and love to ever become more pleased with their child; yet they certainly could hate them more? What kind of monstrous parent is so fickle and vile? What kind of horrible parent is this GOD?

As a parent, I am constantly pulled into love with my kids. The drawings, the sayings, the calls to come play. My love is not finite and fixed. It isn’t on the lookout for opportunities to viciously condemn. It is constantly surprised by the sweetness and beauty of my children.

I think, in that way, these signs are both wrong, despite their churchy sound and scriptural hat-tips. They don’t resemble the loving GOD who calls the children close and speaks, not only of disappointment, but surprise in their ingenuity. A GOD that would come to us in the form of a child, vulnerable, to know us, to be with us.

Sometimes a yard sign is just a yard sign.