My Dirty Cars

Alex D. Ogden

Currently Pat and I own two vehicles (not counting the cars each of the kids have). Pat's is a 2000 Toyota Camry and mine is a 1998 Nissan Sentra. Even though both vehicles were purchased used, they were so clean and shiny from one end to the other (inside and out), when we first purchased them.

Now anyone with any ability at all to see can tell our cars no longer look like new. The exteriors are dull and in desperate need of washing and waxing. Mine even has some sort of fungus spots growing on it (at least that is what it looks like to me). The interiors are usually dirty and cluttered with at least some trash.

Occasionally my mother-in-law, or other close relatives (Pat!), will tell me I need to clean them. They say it as if I didn't know the job needed to be done. I drive my car most every day and am thus well aware that the hood is dull and needs waxing. I've even been known to use the squeegee at the gas station (you know, the one you use to clean your windshield) to wash small sections of my hood or roof. I am also aware of the garbage on the inside (after all, I am responsible for most of it). So I don't need to be made aware that the car is dirty, I am well aware of that.

Some may feel that I just don't know what to do to clean a car. Not true. I am well aware of how to take a bucket of soapy water and a big sponge and proceed to clean the dirt off the car. So the fact my cars haven't been washed in months has no connection with my ability to clean them. For the record let me say that I once purchased a large sponge to wash the car with. It remained in the original plastic wrapper for years. Wonder what ever happened to it? Anyway, I did purchase it in preparation of washing the car.

Others may feel that I just like a dirty car. No, not true. I like and appreciate a clean car like the next fellow. I desire very much to have a car which is clean and shiny both inside and out. In the past my desire to have a clean car even led to an agreement among the family that we would work hard together to keep it clean and looking like new. So much for that agreement. A few years ago I ate at a Hardees restaurant in Arkansas. When I came out, one of the employees was washing off the parking lot with a hose right next to where my car was parked. I tried and tried to talk him into washing my car but he just wouldn't. You see, I do desire a clean car. I certainly am aware of the advantages of keeping the car clean and I do intend someday to give it a good cleaning. But my desire to have a clean car isn't enough. I still don't clean it.

So why is it my cars still need to be cleaned? One reason would be because I don't place enough importance on having the cars cleaned. If I really felt it was something that was of great importance, I would get the job done in a hurry. Since I don't place much importance on it, even though I do desire a clean car, I don't find the time to do the job. Another reason is simply because I allow other things to get in the way. I know it needs to be done but other things seem to be more important and thus they prevent me from getting it done. It goes back to how urgent a matter that it is in my mind.

You may be asking yourself why I have said so much about my dirty cars and why I don't clean them. The reason is because we are often guilty of the same thing with regard to our soul. We may be perfectly aware of the sin stains upon our soul but take no action to remove them. In this way we do as I do with my car, allow it to remain dirty.

The person who has never obeyed the gospel of Christ Jesus may have been taught enough of God's word for them to realize they are guilty of sin before God. "For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). They may also have been taught what to do to be cleansed of their sins (Acts 22:16) and may even have a general desire to have their soul cleansed. Most, however, decide to remain dirty with their sin stains.

Even erring children of God are often guilty of this. Clearly they know God's will and thus they know when they have erred. But because of other things of this life they choose to dirty themselves again with sin and to remain with such filth on their soul.

Why is it so? I feel it is as least in part due to the degree of importance they have placed on having a clean soul. We don't place enough importance on being cleansed of our sins. Oh yes, we tell people what to do to be cleansed, but we sometimes fail to develop in them the desire necessary to get them to act. I won't clean my cars until I feel it is really something important. One who needs cleansing by the blood of Jesus Christ (Revelation1:5; 1 John 1:7; Acts 4:12) will not do so until they feel it is really important. We must be aware, and make others aware, of both the benefits of this cleansing by the blood of Christ and the cost of not "washing away" our sins (Acts 22:16). Being cleansed of our sins means we have a hope of eternity with God in Heaven. Without this cleansing there is no hope. Paul speaks of the end of all things when Jesus will come "rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus: who shall suffer punishment, even eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might" (2 Thessalonians 1:8,9).

Have you cleansed the sin stains which are upon your soul? If not, realize the urgency of such and do it today, while you still have opportunity.

P.S. Any volunteers to wash and wax my cars??