Thank God an "Out-of Towner" Paid!

No one ever wants to have an accident behind the wheel. But there are some cities and towns where you really don't want to have an accident - especially if you are an "out-of-towner!" One of these towns is Erlanger, KY. Erlanger is a suburb of Cincinnati. And like many other cash-starved municipalities, it is looking for new ways to help fund its police costs. When a member of the Erlanger PD responds to an accident in which an out-of-town driver is at fault, the city plans to start issuing a bill. (Are you ready for this?) The tab will be $14 for the first 30 minutes that an officer is on the scene with an addition charge of $7 for every 15 minutes thereafter. If a police vehicle is involved an additional $154 charge is levied. I wonder if they give you a satisfaction guarantee with the charge?

Now you can't really blame this town of Erlanger (population of just under 17,000). Police protection is not cheap - but it is necessary! So it must be paid for ... and why not let the out-of-towners pay for it? (Critics of the plan worry that it will keep out-of-towners away and if they don't drive through or stop in Erlanger, neither will their cash!) When it came to the payment for our sin and rebellion against God, thankfully it was paid for by an "out-of-towner!" In fact, the one who paid our debt came from heaven itself (I guess that qualifies as being an "out-of-town" place!). Jesus Christ, the eternal God the Son was the one who paid the penalty for our sin. He went to the cross. He bled and died. Not to pay the wage for his own sin (The Bible is clear, "The wages of sin is death." - see Romans 6:23). Jesus had no sin of his own. He was totally and absolutely without sin (see 2 Corinthians 5:21 and Hebrews 4:15). It was for your sin and for mine that he died. And he did so to bring us into a living and vibrant relationship with God (see 1 Peter 3:18).

My friend, have you come to that point in your life that you have admitted your sin and rebellion against God. Have you reached out and in faith asked Jesus Christ to be your savior, believing that when he died on the cross he died there for you? And have you repented (i.e. turned from) your sin and turned to follow Jesus? If you have never done so ... I urge you to embrace Jesus Christ. Read his invitation ... and come to Jesus:

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj