For the past several weeks, I have been leading an adult Sunday school series at Calvary Baptist Church in Bellefontaine, Ohio. The topic–politics from a biblical perspective. Such discussions are always a bit touchy since my presentation does not always conform to expected patterns.

I spent one lesson exploring our obligations to government as believers. I am becoming more and more convinced that we, as scholars, have attempted to erect too many political edifices atop Scripture, often passing by persistent, basic duties.

As part of that discussion, I talk about our obedience to the law, and how that obedience is not simply a fear of punishment, but a matter of conscience, as Paul tells us in Romans 13. This is a fantastically high bar, one that we routinely fail to clear. I always use, as I did in Bellefontaine, speeding as a point of discussion. As Christians, we should obey the law regardless of possible consequences, for that is acting based on conscience, not only out of fear of punishment. This is an internalized obedience that builds the right kind of respect for government and our leaders.

Well, as God so frequently reminds me, I fall short. On the way to Bellefontaine, to teach such principles, I failed to follow Bellefontaine’s speed limits. An officer pulled me over and was prepared to dispense cold, hard justice. Instead, he showed mercy and I received the warning in the picture above. Yes, once again, I became a walking, breathing illustration. In my minor defense, this was not an act of rebellion, but more of carelessness. I was driving along, listening to a song by The Strumbellas (Spirits), and simply did not see the speed limit. The problem, I think, is that I like music too much. I am sure there is another lesson lurking in there as well.