Trains

June 5, CNN included this link on their news site: Amtrak train hits cars, kills two people. The link included the following leading paragraphs:

“The southbound train hit a car in south McComb, Miss., and sent the car's 19-year-old driver to a hospital.

“The train then continued south, and after it crossed into Louisiana, it hit another car near the town of Independence.”

The picture created in our minds is that of a train actively, aggressively, searching for vehicles to hit. Most such articles do lead with the active verb being applied to trains. The specifics, however, paint an entirely different picture:

“… the car was traveling east on Anderson Road when the collision happened. … witnesses heard the train blowing its whistle, but the car did not stop.”

Yet the connotation is that the train was at fault. Moving forward on fixed, firmly laid out tracks, sounding warnings loud and clear – yet the train is considered at fault.

In many ways, Christians are considered having the same aggressive intent as the train.

Christians sound out warnings, loud and clear:

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23 KJV)

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10 KJV)

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23 KJV)

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31 KJV)

And their message is considered an error. Christians are considered foolish and weak, out of touch: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; (1 Corinthians 1:27 KJV)

When people refer to the “straight and narrow” they actually refer to: Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:13-14 KJV)

I am so grateful that I do not have to ‘find’ it – the way has been openly shown to us. Just as the railroad runs on straight ground, soundly based with firm foundations, most often with signs and warning lights and bells, Christ’s message is broadcast in similar manner.

It is up to those on the broad way, able to change their direction, to pay heed. If not, we can only surmise they do not wish to follow the way God has provided for all