I almost got killed today driving home from work. I was driving uphill on a curvy secondary road when a garbage truck was coming the other way. The two drivers of vehicles behind the garbage truck became impatient and passed it despite it being a double-line on a two-lane road. Neither driver must have seen me or else they were both trying to drive recklessly.
The first driver sped around the garbage truck with no problem and quickly went back into his lane. The second driver was in an old pickup truck and was in my lane headed for a collision with me. As he passed the garbage truck, he had to jerk the wheel to get back into his own lane as I hit my brakes in order to avoid a head-on crash.
I’d like to think I am above getting worked up about such circumstances, but my first reaction was to think, “How could they be so stupid and reckless?” I thought maybe I’m living in the wrong place… There is no reason I should love that guy… Why should I pray for people who act so dumb?… My spiral of negative thoughts was abruptly halted when I felt the Holy Spirit nudge me regarding something I had recently written concerning our battle not being against flesh and blood. Of course, wanting to be offended, I started listing in my head how my negative thoughts were supported by past experiences. I had proof that I was allowed to be offended and move somewhere that didn’t have inconsiderate drivers.
Fortunately, the Holy Spirit did not stop convicting me, so I recognized that I did not have to agree with the spirit of offense and I didn’t have to act as if Jesus died for everyone except for people who almost crash into you while driving.
Jesus really did die for the reckless drivers that I almost had an accident with today. He died for me though I have done things that were much more inconsiderate and irresponsible. The key for me regarding the spiritual realm (at least in this instance) is that the enemy can gain a foothold with my being offended, even if I was not the one in the wrong while driving today. If I agree with offense, then I am trying to put up a wall of division saying who is and who isn’t worthy of being made in the image of God. If I allow that negative spiral to continue, then I eventually start to classify members of the human population as worthy or unworthy of salvation, depending on how upset I am with their actions at the moment. You can see how this leads to an unbiblical view of salvation and the price Jesus paid dying on a cross.
Christ died for us while we were still sinners. Even though we may now be saints, it is only because of the righteousness of Jesus that we can have that new identity. So I appreciate the Holy Spirit reminding me of my identity and convicting me when I was agreeing with offense.
May we always remember that our battle is not against flesh and blood, that Christ died once for all, and that everyone who receives Christ, “the Word,” has the right to become children of God.