This morning, we greeted our readers to start the day, as is our usual practice. And because today is Good Friday—the day when we remember the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ to atone for our sins—we challenged people to examine their trespasses when using their motor vehicles.
Before we proceed, note that we just commemorate the Crucifixion, and that the Lord doesn’t literally die annually. It took place 2,000 years ago, and we don’t need to perform penitential rituals to avail of God’s mercy. Our salvation is finished. It’s done. It’s perfect, period.
Most of us are probably enjoying a well-deserved vacation right now. And that is nice. But may we invite you to spend a few minutes to reflect on our lives and the role that sin plays in our existence?
Now, you might think: “Why do you have to be such a killjoy by taking driving errors so seriously?” Well, that’s because we have a God that takes sin so seriously.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
But let’s be clear: An honest mistake or error is not a sin. We refer to callous behavior on the road that willfully goes against traffic rules. And disobeying edicts from the authorities is a sin.
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. (Romans 13:1-2)
In our post this morning, we asked readers to list at least three “motoring transgressions” that they consciously commit. A simple exercise that actually made us analyze our own behavior behind the wheel. We realize that “three” is such a small number. If we are honest, we’ve all been offenders on the road by violating not just three motoring rules.
In the process of meditating on this, we thought of 26 motoring sins. We’re sure there are more, but below are the common ones:
- Speeding
- Texting while driving
- Driving while intoxicated
- Counterflowing
- Tailgating
- Parking in a no-parking zone
- Violating number-coding rule
- Cursing at other motorists
- Driving with an expired license
- Driving an unregistered vehicle
- Ignoring traffic lights
- Not giving way to pedestrians
- Blocking a driveway
- Misusing PWD parking slots
- Blinding oncoming traffic with high-beam lights
- Disrespecting traffic officers
- Bribing traffic officers
- Failing to give way to an ambulance or a firetruck
- Taking photos/videos while driving
- Blowing the horn excessively or unnecessarily
- Overtaking on a solid line
- Overloading
- Not paying attention to blind spots
- Cutting in line
- Feeling hatred toward other road users (like e-trikes)
- Using the car to commit sexual immorality
You may deny any wrongdoing and insist on being the “perfect driver,” but consider this verse:
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8-9)
A blessed Holy Weekend to all of us. With God’s grace, may we all strive to live a life of righteousness.
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