One of the things I do at work now is run basic public records reports on different individuals. Mainly, they are things like judgments, liens, foreclosures. Sometimes there are notes about criminal records without any details. Occasionally something catches my eye. Last week I came across this notation “Criminal: violation of the basic rule.” It was an Oregon violation.
That, of course, peaked my interest. What does Oregon consider as a “violation of the basic rule.” It turns out the unabbreviated notation is “violation of the basic speed rule” and pertains to driving faster than the conditions warrant.
After learning what Oregon considers a violation of the basic rule, I figured I should find what God considers a violation of the basic rule. That was an easy one. God gave the basic rule in Deuteronomy 6:5: “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” [NIV]
Then He followed that in Leviticus 19:18 with: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” [NIV]
Jesus also reminded us of these in Matthew 22 and Mark 12. We have all violated God’s basic rule (the only exception is Jesus, God’s Dear Son). We’ve never loved God with all our heart, soul and strength. And we’ve done a pretty poor job of loving our neighbors to the same measure we love ourselves. Our heavenly records look pretty much like that man’s Oregon record: “Criminal: Violation of God’s Basic Rule.”
Thankfully, our criminal record has been wiped clean, for “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” [Rom 5:8 NIV]
Thank you, Father, for the great love you have given us in Christ Jesus. For taking us from being criminals and bringing us into Your family as Your children. Amen.
