Perhaps the most critical and ubiquitous warning that relatively modern man has faced – and faces yet today– is the STOP sign. That warning sign is displayed at the intersection of virtually every highway junction along the busily traveled motor highways of the world. In rural areas it’s a painted sign and in urban areas it’s often a traffic light.

If you’re paying attention, you can’t miss them. And you don’t want to miss a stop sign!

“Fair warning” is the spirit of the law behind speed limits, merge traffic and other legislated traffic rules and signage such as yield and speed limit signs. Even at intersections without signs, the “rule of thumb” when more than ordinary traffic flow is present is to assume a “four-way stop”.

The “fair warning”, by sign or light, carries the weight of the government of that nation, state, or city. The law is there, even without a sign.

Signage is key

The principle that activates these symbols is – in essence – stop when the sign says to “stop,” and go only when it says “go”!

However, scofflaws (the term for such people) in traffic are typically those who willfully ignore those fair warnings and blaze on through often causing injury or death to innocent citizens who seek to obey the law.

Don’t be a “scofflaw”

As true Christians we especially don’t want to be, or even appear to be those who scoff at the laws of man, unless obeying a particular law would cause you to break God’s law. In which case, we ought to obey God rather than man.

Therefore, we literally don’t scoff at the law, whether driving or otherwise. And we especially don’t scoff at God’s law.

King David of ancient Israel was inspired by God to summarize a true Christian’s attitude regarding the divine law of God.

In Psalm 119:97-100 you will find perhaps the most beautiful and direct praise of God’s Law:

“Oh, how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
⁹⁸ You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies;
For they are ever with me.
⁹⁹ I have more understanding than all my teachers,
For Your testimonies are my meditation.
¹⁰⁰ I understand more than the ancients,
Because I keep Your precepts.”

Take time to read this entire Psalm (there are 22 stanzas, just read one a day for the first 22 days of the month) and reflect on the many facets God inspired King David to use to so beautifully describe His law. Read it often. Savor God’s marvelous law, meditate on the principles of its foundation, and in so doing, learn to love God’s Law.

Fair warning: We live in an age when the world mocks, ridicules and rejects God’s law and His way of life that it teaches. Love God and carefully avoid becoming a scofflaw!  

– Randy Stiver