The Mechanic's Gift - It is Finished. John Saurino
here, Joshua. What do you have planned for today?”
He was moving toward the parts sitting on the workbench when he replied, “I got the engine block back this week, which will allow us to finish prepping it. Once that is done, we can install the bearings, crankshaft, and pistons.”
“Sounds great!”
The next three hours passed quickly. We worked together with greater familiarity of our assigned jobs. After all, this was the second time around, and I was able to help with many more tasks. Our movements made me recall the surgical nurse/doctor cooperation that is found in every operating room in the country. However, this time I was the nurse, and he was the mechanic surgeon using his skills to create a top-level motor.
When there was a momentary break in our work, he looked at me and said, “Did you hear that?”
I stood perfectly still but could hear nothing unusual.
“Hear what?” I asked.
“Shhh…there it is again.” He placed his index finger to his lips.
I repeated my silent stance, then shook my head and raised both hands in question of any unheard sound.
“Listen carefully,” he whispered.
“I’m trying,” I replied just as quietly. We both stood like statues until he broke the silence.
“Are you telling me you cannot hear those chocolate chip cookies calling us?” He broke out in laughter, knowing he had kidded me once again.
“Oh yeah! Now I hear them!” I said while laughing in recovery. I slapped my forehead stating, “I thought they were coconut macaroons! It must have been the tropical accent that threw me off.”
Soon, we were enjoying cookies, lemonade, and the return of spring to his back yard. I recalled the first time we sat here, and how much I had learned over the past six months. There was no doubt that the mechanics of building an engine together had become the platform for a much greater life experience. I was smiling in appreciation when he interrupted my peace-filled thoughts.
“John, are you a sinner?”
“Of course, I’m a sinner,” I stated without hesitation.
“No doubt, that is the most common answer for many Christians and even some non-Christians,” he said. His eyes were gazing at the brick wall bordering the back perimeter of his yard, but his mind penetrated well beyond those physical limits. He paused in thought, rose from his chair, and walked to the very familiar whiteboard. The questioning sentences appeared across the top.
ARE YOU A SINNER? OR WERE YOU A SINNER?
He turned to me asking, “Have you ever seen the movie Bruce Almighty?”
“I think so. Isn’t that the one where Jim Carrey gets God’s job for a while, then he quickly makes a mess of things, and finally gives the responsibility back to God. If I remember correctly, he ultimately discovers that it isn’t as easy to run the world as he thought it would be. Especially when he says, ‘Yes.’ to everyone’s requests.”
Joshua looked at me and smiled, saying, “That’s the one. Let’s pretend for a moment that you, instead of Jim Carrey, have been given the tasks normally assigned to God. We will also imagine you are in charge of writing a book on how people should live their lives.”
“Tall task, Joshua!” I smiled in recognition of the project’s importance.
He nodded and continued, “I believe this book would contain three major concepts. First of all, the book should enlighten you to the fact that you are a sinner.”
“Agreed!” I responded in affirmation.
“Secondly, the book should explain how you need to believe in Jesus to overcome your sins, and, because of this belief, you are saved from their consequences. Also known as your salvation.”
“I’m with you.”
“Finally, the book should teach you how to live AFTER you have been saved and forgiven for your sins.” He emphasized the word “after” to make his point.
“Do you agree that your book about how to live your life should contain all three of these stages of faith?”
“Yes, of course,” I answered, “It must address every chronological step in our spiritual growth.”
He turned to me with a slight grin at my expected reply.
“The Bible does these things. It speaks to you at each phase in your life. The Bible teaches you about the problems in your life before you are saved. It guides you while you learn how to become saved from your sins. And finally, the Bible teaches you how you should live and what you should believe after you are saved.”
“Sounds like my homework has been handed in already!” I raised my glass in celebration.
Joshua tapped his glass against mine and began pacing as he spoke.
“So, if the Bible talks to you at each different spiritual phase in your life, it is your job to determine which one is being addressed as you read its text. Guidance from the Holy Spirit will help you with this decision.
“In other words, does the verse you are reading apply to your life before you have believed in Christ and become saved from your sins? Is it directed at the time you are learning the true meaning of Jesus’s redemptive sacrifice? Or is it addressing how his love will guide your spiritual heart and physical actions after you have received your salvation? As you progress in your faith, the Bible talks to you at your new level of enlightenment. It instructs you on how you should live and what you should believe with each new degree of faith you possess. Simply put, what you believe before you have accepted Jesus into your life will be different from what you believe after you realize what your faith in him has done for you.” He turned to look at me. “Do you understand?”
I nodded in silence.
“If so, we can move on.” He took a cookie from the plate before he asked the next question.
“Do you want to have a close relationship with God?”
“Yes.”
“Does sin exist in Heaven?”
“No.”
“Correct. Remember how Satan had to leave Heaven because God does not allow sin to be present in his home. Also, Adam was banished from the Garden of Eden because he broke God’s only law at that time, namely, ‘You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.’ Unfortunately, Adam’s disobedience caused sin to enter into the world.”
“I’m with you,” I answered and reached for another cookie.
“Remind me, John, how did sin enter into man and the world?”
It was an easy reply, “Sin entered through his disobedience of God’s law.”
“Then, God’s law at that time was based on obedience, do you agree?”
“Seems right so far.”
Joshua stopped to take a sip of his drink before asking, “And why did Adam have to leave the Garden of Eden?”
This was another simple answer. “You just told me that God does not allow sin to be present in his home.”
“So…what caused Adam to be distanced from God?”
“It was sin. Sin hurt the close relationship Adam shared with God.”
“Yes!” He raised his fist for emphasis. “Therefore, being distanced from God is a consequence of sin. This happened to Satan as a permanent spiritual outcome because of the desires of this angel’s heart. This happened to Adam as his disobedience set God’s plan in motion for the redemptive reward of faith in Jesus. And unfortunately, this distancing from God also happens to you.” He turned to take a bite of his cookie and changed his voice to a more serious tone.
“Again,