A rearview mirror is an important item to have on every car, van and truck for safe driving. I appreciate ours even more after something that happened a short time ago.
Our family went on a camping trip to Indiana this past August. We wanted to enjoy a last outing before our four children had to go back to school for another school year. We packed our van and got an early-morning start before rush-hour traffic. We had a safe trip and arrived at the campground in good time.
The weather was very warm, and we all agreed that a visit to the campground swimming pool would be a good way to cool off. It was a short but hot drive to the pool.
As we parked the van a funny thing happened to our rearview mirror - it fell off of the windshield! Apparently, the inside of the van had gotten so hot that the glue just lost its holding power, and the mirror came down.
Maybe that doesn’t sound like a big problem, but it was a problem just the same. Perhaps we can compare it to the common problem that we all have. That is the problem of SIN. Sometimes it doesn’t seem so important, yet we know inside that all is not right. We need to face our sin problem seriously and agree with God, that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23).
What is truly wonderful is that God has a remedy for our sins. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7). I was going to learn too that there is a remedy for reattaching a mirror to a windshield.
At first, when we returned home, I tried using my own ideas on how to solve my problem. I found a tube of glue which was good for metal and plastics. I thought, That’s close to what I need. Glass is almost like plastic. I’ll give it a try.
I was careful to do a good job cleaning the windshield and then gluing on the mirror. But it didn’t do the job. It held the mirror on for only 3 1/2 weeks.
Next, I tried a different kind of adhesive, and it didn’t even last 3 1/2 weeks.
We, as sinners, often try our own ideas for dealing with our sin problem. Adam and Eve tried wearing fig leaves to cover themselves, but they found that fig leaves did not solve the problem. Some people hope that God will be pleased if their good deeds outweigh their bad. But the Bible, God’s Word, tells us that “all our righteousnesses [good deeds] are as filthy rags.” Isaiah 64:66But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6). Others think that giving up certain things they like will help remove the burden of sin. But the Lord Jesus tells us how to remove the burden of sin: “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28). He is the one to go to with the problem of our sins.
And I finally went to the right place with my mirror problem -the hardware store. After I explained my problem, they sold me a “Rearview Mirror Kit” containing just what I needed to reattach my mirror.
But we can all understand that my mirror didn’t reattach itself; the glue had to be applied. And you may know about God’s remedy for sin, but the remedy must be applied to your own heart.
The kit had two parts: a primer and an adhesive. This reminded me of the two steps which are necessary for salvation to do our souls good. “Repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:2121Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:21).
There was just enough primer in the kit to mount one mirror. It was in a glass vial which had to be broken in order for the primer to be used. Repentance is an individual matter. I must confess to God that I am a sinner, deserving to go to the lake of fire. “A broken and a contrite [sorry] heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.” Psalm 51:1717The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. (Psalm 51:17).
The second part of the kit was the adhesive. Here the instruction was beautifully simple. Only one drop was to be applied, and the job was finished. Faith is simply believing what God says in the Bible. “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.” Exodus 12:1313And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. (Exodus 12:13).
Faith is a very simple thing,
Though little understood;
It frees the soul from death’s dread sting,
By resting on the blood.
There was enough adhesive in the tube to mount a lot of mirrors. And so the work of Christ on the cross is enough for every sinner who trusts in Him.
I’m thankful to say that our rearview mirror is still on the windshield. Another hot day may mean I’ll have to do it all over again. But not with salvation; salvation is forever! “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish.” John 10:27,2827My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:27‑28). Won’t you trust the Saviour now?
ML-01/30/1994