God's Helmet Law

GOD’S HELMET LAW

by Pastor Jim May

A lot of people are upset this morning in the State of Louisiana. They are upset because someone cares more about their safety than their freedom. For the past number of years our former governor put aside the helmet laws for anyone riding on a motorcycle, but our new governor isn’t such an enthusiast and she had reinstated the helmet law. Now, the motorcycle owners are “up in arms” because they don’t like being told what to do.

Now I can sympathize with their argument. No one likes being told what to do, especially in America, and especially among these South Louisiana Cajuns. We are a headstrong bunch, bent on doing what we want, and we don’t like anyone ordering us around. If you want to see a fight just try ordering a Cajun to do what he doesn’t want to do. I like my freedoms as well, so I do agree with the riders to a point.

But, if you have ever seen a motorcycle accident where the rider wasn’t wearing a helmet, you will quickly realize that we aren’t nearly as hardheaded as we pretend to be. Head injuries are the worst of all to overcome and some are never overcome. If the victim lives, he is likely to be incapacitated for life.

Now what about the argument for their freedom? Should we allow them to have that freedom to choose to ride without a helmet? Maybe you think so, maybe you don’t, or maybe you haven’t thought about it much at all.

Well let me help you here. What happens when a rider chooses to not wear a helmet and he is injured severely? He needs medical help that may be ongoing as long as he lives. And who pays for that help? In many cases, it’s the insurance company, and that leads to higher insurance rates for all of us. In many other instances, where there is no medical insurance, the help is provided for in charity hospitals. Where does the money come from to pay for the charity hospitals? It comes from our tax dollars.

So, no matter whether you like the helmet law or not, it is a necessity, not only for the sake of the rider, but for the sake of the community as well. If the rider has the right to choose not to wear a helmet, then we, who will be affected by the cost of his medical bills, should also have the right to choose whether we pay for his medical attention or not. Since we won’t have that choice by law, then he shouldn’t have that choice either.

I don’t like wearing seat belts. I don’t like being told what to do anymore than the next person. But I know that it’s for my own good, and I don’t like paying fines for being independent, so I wear them.

As much as we like being independent, there are laws that are for the good of us all that we must allow to limit us, or we will be a nation filled with anarchy.

You may be asking, “Where is all this taking us? What does this have to do with a message of the gospel on this Sunday morning?” Here is the point of this message.

God has a helmet law too! Whether we like it or not, whether we agree or not, or whether we choose to obey it or not, does not negate its power, and our choice will definitely have eternal consequences.

There are two very familiar passages of scripture that I want to read as we begin this message on “God’s Helmet Law”.

Ephesians 6:12-18, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole Armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"

1 Thessalonians 5:8-9, "But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ…"