Adam says nothing, letting Isaac work things out for himself with the help of the lap top programs and the web. Something on the road ahead of them catches Adam's eye. Paying close attention, Adam sees what looks like a cylindrical object in their lane a short distance in front of them. With the truck moving slowly up the steep grade Adam prepares to drive around the dangerous looking obstacle by changing lanes. Seeing only one dark car a long way behind them and no traffic in the lane on his left, he signals and then starts to move his rig over the white dotted line.
A quarter of the way into the fast lane he checks his passenger mirror to make sure he will miss the jagged end of a large broken pipe. The sound of a blaring horn coming through the driver’s door window startles him. Looking to his left, he sees a dark car overtaking the truck at a rapid pace. The driver fingers him out of the sunroof opening as he flies past, going at least sixty clicks over the buck ten speed limit.
Instinctively steering to his right to avoid a collision with the speeding car, Adam is unable to avoid the sharp end of the pipe with his trailer tires. He watches in his mirror with a grimace as the front right outside duel tire's sidewall scrubs hard on the pipe's broken end, sending it spinning wildly off into the ditch. Immediately, the sound of escaping air reaches Adam. Slight plumes of dust fly off the pavement and into the air each time the tire's rupture rotates to the ground. A few revolutions later and with the hiss of escaping air stopped, the now flat tire is left flopping as it continues to role beside its mate.
“Damn! Stupid Jerk!” Adam yelled at the vanishing car.
Startled, Isaac looked up from the lap top screen, “What's wrong! What's that noise!”
“That's the sound of about four hundred dollars escaping from my pocket,” Adam said angrily. “And about an hour of extra time, if I'm lucky. At least we are almost at the top of the hill. I'll pull a U-turn into the brake check lane on the other side of the road and can put on the spare tire there.” Adam was still fuming but he felt better that at least he had a plan. “Good thing I got a spare along,” he said out loud. While silently in his head he was still heaping curses on the dark car's driver.
Pulling over onto the highways paved shoulder, He waited with his four ways flashing. A couple of cars whizzed past. Seeing no traffic from either direction he cranked the steering wheel to the left as hard as he could. Guiding his truck across all four lanes of the highway and onto the brake check lane they exited off the highway before going down the long steep hill they had just climbed. Staying to his right, Adam pulls about halfway down the empty brake check lot where he dynamites all of the brakes and parks the truck at the top of the long steep hill they had just climbed.
“I've never changed a tire before,” said Isaac excitedly. “This, will, be a trip to remember.”
“Ya, it seems like you always try to have a pleasant uneventful trip, but you only remember the ones that were crappy and you had trouble. The only good thing is that the aggravation usually diminishes with time. You can even find yourself laughing about the troubles later,” Adam tells him with almost half a smile. “Well let’s get started and we can get it done while the weather is nice.”
Using the small outside storage door, Adam gets the wheel tools and a beat-up red hydraulic bottle jack out from the sleeper storage bin along with a small cloth tool bag. Handing them to Isaac, he pulls a six foot long two inch wide hollow chrome pipe out from its resting place between the truck frame and fuel tank. The two of them wrestle the heavy tools to the back of the truck by the trailers flat tire.
Crawling under the trailer, Adam positions the jack so that it will lift on the axle picking the flat tire up off the ground. Getting part way back out from under the trailer, Adam makes his way forward to the spare tire cradle. Unhooking the safety chain that was keeping the spare tire from escaping its confines, Adam slides the tire out of the rest and roles it back to the flat.
Isaac mostly watches but tries to help when he sees the opportunity. Adam explains how the tire tool works by putting it together with the pry-bar and getting it ready to loosen off the first wheel lug nut. Picking up the five foot snipe Adam slides it over the pry-bar; the free end of the snipe is about six feet off the ground. Holding onto the end of the snipe Adam puts all of his weight on the end by dangling under the snipe with his knees bent. Nothing happens so Adam starts to make bouncing movements and slowly the snipe starts to lower towards the ground as the wheel nut begrudgingly turns counter clockwise.
“Well that's one loose, only nine more to go,” Adam says a bit out of breath.
“If there is anything that I can do let me know. So far I haven't been much help,” Isaac said earnestly.
“That's OK. You look a bit light to break these nuts free, but you can loosen them the rest of the way off. They are supposed to be torqued on from five to five hundred and fifty foot pounds, but a little bit of rust in the threads can make them even harder to get off. If we can't break them all free, we may have to drive back to town and find a tire shop. Check in the cloth tool bag and pass me the can of WD40 would you.” After liberally spraying all of the lug nut studs Adam relaxes, sitting on the ground with his back resting against the trailer tires. “We'll let that work on the nuts for a bit, it should make them easier to get off.”
Isaac sits cross legged on the warm pavement. He silently contemplates his thoughts for a moment, then expresses them to Adam. “The primary desire of God is to heal the relationship between himself and mankind, broken by sin at the Garden of Eden. Nothing is more important to him, he loves us. So much in fact that he sent his son Jesus to die for us, so our sins could be forgiven and we could be with him. As Christians, our job is to tell people about Jesus so they can be saved from their sins and join with God as his children. There is no other way for our sins to be forgiven, we must go through Jesus. If a person doesn't accept Jesus they are doomed.”
Adam nodded his head in agreement while Isaac spoke. “Now with that I can wholeheartedly agree. But tell me, when does this accepting of Jesus need to take place?
Isaac was perplexed by the question. “Well, now, while they’re alive and able to. Once they’ve passed on, it’ll be too late for them.”
Frowning, Adam shakes his head slightly. “That way of thinking stems from the conspiracy. It's only to late if this present life is the only time that humans can come to Jesus to be saved. Believing the conspiracy has blinded mankind to the potential they possess and has diminished the privilege and blessings shown by God to those, who do, come to Jesus in this life. Not everyone is capable of coming to Jesus during this life. What if they never heard about Jesus due to a lack of preachers? What if the gospel never made sense to them? People must be drawn to Jesus by God. Christians are called out of this world to follow Jesus, by God himself, but we must choose to follow.”
Adam stands up and starts to undo the lug nuts on the wheel. He doesn't notice Isaac get up and head towards the truck. He soon returns and resumes his position on the pavement. Only this time he has the lap top set up and has started typing.
“What about these verses?” Isaac questions demandingly.
“2 Corinthians 6:1-2 KJV
We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
2 Peter 1:10
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
It is in this present life that we have to be faithful in following Jesus. We aren’t given any other time to be saved. We have only this life to follow Jesus and we must not turn away,” Isaac continues to read and question.
“Luke 9:62
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
If we do we wi
ll be tossed into the fires of Hell like in the parable of the tares and wheat.
Matthew 13:24-30 New KJV
Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. 26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. 27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’
We need to accept Jesus now while we can and not put it off. We don't know how much time we will have before the Lord will return for us and we are raptured away.”
Adam stops working the heavy tools long enough to agree with Isaac. “Those points are all very accurate. God's greatest desire is to repair the relationship that mankind has abandoned. His plan is to give everyone the opportunity to accept the salvation brought by Jesus. All will have that chance, but not necessarily during their present life in this world. The majority of mankind has not lived their lives with the ability to learn about Jesus, to become saved. Your belief would place them all in hell, tormented for the rest of eternity. They would be all lost children to God. Aborted out of son-ship before they had the opportunity to even hear of Jesus and the deliverance he brings them.
Christians are individually called out of this world by God, to come to Jesus during this life. If God does not draw us, we cannot come to Jesus. God has shown us love while we still hated him, all of humanity has been blinded to Jesus so that ‘seeing they cannot see and hearing they cannot perceive’. Most Christians don't realize the special gift we have been given through our calling.
Look up the verses that say how we are called or predestined to come to Jesus. God specifically chooses to call the foolish and weak of the world to confound the mighty. The ones that God doesn't call cannot come to Jesus at this time, but they will have their opportunity, when God's time is right.”
Isaac starts to go through Bible references and dutifully reads them out loud as Adam continues to undo wheel nuts.
“Here are some of the scriptures that you referred to, in the KJV” Isaac announced before he started to read the located texts out loud.
“John 12:40
He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
Matthew 13:13-15
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Luke 8:10
And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
Mark 4:12
That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
Romans 11:7-11
What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded. 8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. 9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: 10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. 11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
Romans 9:18
Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
Acts 28:26
Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:
John 9:39
And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
Matthew 22:14
For many are called, but few [are] chosen.
2 Timothy 1:9
Who hath saved us, and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
John 6:44. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Romans 8:28-30
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”
Pausing briefly for a few deep breaths and a sip from the pop he pulled from his hoodie pouch, Isaac continues to read out loud.
“1 Corinthians 1:25-29
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 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; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
Ephesians 1:3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
1 Peter 2:20-21
For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Hebrews 3:1
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
John 17:24
Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
John 6:37
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
1 Peter 1:15-16
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14
But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for
you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 4:7
For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
Ephesians 1:11
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:”
Wiping his forehead with the palm of his hand Isaac sits back on his elbows questioning Adam. “Those are interesting scriptures, but where does it say that God is not calling everyone when they are alive?” Isaac Quotes
Romans 1:20,
“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
See people are without excuse not to know God.” Isaac says contemptuously. “God has made himself available to everyone from the beginning, but mankind has sinfully turned their backs on God, not wanting to follow him.” With eyes narrowing and his face looking stern, Isaac ads. “Sinners deserve to suffer in Hell for the sins that they do in their lives. They must choose to follow God now. That is why Christians have to teach the world about Jesus, as he is the only way to salvation.”
Adam has all of the lug nuts off and has started removing the flat tire off of the axle. Pulling the wheel in a jerky motion he gets it to slide off the hub and free of the axle end. Rolling it off to the side he wipes the sweat from his forehead with a fairly clean rag. Taking a few deep breaths he rests, leaning against the side of the trailer and addresses Isaac, “I think you should read more of that passage in Romans 1, as it will make what Paul is talking about, more clear.”
Isaac obliges quickly, smug in his thoughts of accuracy. “OK, how about this?” he asks sharply.
“Romans 1:18-21.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”
“That should do” Adam says, stretching out the muscles in his arms and upper body. “Notice that the wrath of God is against the willful sins of the people. They knew right from wrong, but they were willfully sinning, they actively sought out sin. God is revealed through his creation to the world. People are without excuse, but without excuse for what? If we refer to what Paul is talking about at the beginning, we see that it is referring to God's wrath. People are without excuse for encoring the wrath of God by sinning. Later on in Romans, Paul tells us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. He also goes on to tell us that the wages of sin is death, not eternal torment. The point Paul is making, is that we all need a Savior, Jew or Gentile and the only one who can save us is Jesus.”
Adam wrestles the spare tire into its proper position on the axle. Reaching for the tool bag he pulls out a small tin of never seize, spreading it sparingly onto the threads of each wheel stud with the little brush built into the lid. “That should keep them from rusting on again,” Adam audibly says to himself.
“What?” Isaac says. “It's hard to hear you when your head is turned away.”
“Oh, I was just talking to myself about the studs. Talking to yourself, dangers of the job and old age,” Adam says laughingly.
Picking up where he left off Adam goes on with his thoughts, turning his head more towards Isaac, so as to be better heard as he starts the lug nuts onto the wheel studs. “This visual display of God, through creation, lets people know there is a God. The knowledge of knowing there is a God however is not what is needed for salvation, as you so rightly pointed out, we can only have our sins forgiven if we accept, Jesus, as our Savior.
That is why Paul was not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus, as it is through that message all must be saved. Christians need to share this message about Jesus and the coming kingdom of God with as many people we can. It's through hearing the gospel message that people can learn about Jesus. But it's by seeing the gospel lived out in people’s lives that the world is drawn to Jesus by God. God reaches out to the world through Christians, calling those he has chosen. Those who don't hear the gospel for whatever reason, or who God does not call, have no chance to follow after Jesus during this life.”
Picking up the wheel wrenches Adam laboriously starts to install and tighten the lug nuts back up.
“Just knowing there is a creator God will not save anyone. Like you said, we can only be saved by going through Jesus. The resurrections provide the only time-frame when those, not called by God in this life, can have a chance to learn about Jesus. Coming back to a physical life through a resurrection is the only way most people will have their eyes opened to Jesus and the love of God. Free from the influence of Satan, everyone who has ever lived will have their turn to accept or reject Jesus.”
Chapter 7
One Chance For Salvation