Obey the law or pay a price

The above sign is frequently posted throughout the streets of New York City. You wouldn’t know a regulation exists by the amount of horn-honking you hear from drivers trying to squeeze through every little opening they can in traffic. But I assume, from reading these signs, that a law exists in that town to help keep peace on the streets. Noise pollution from impatient drivers does not add to the city’s attractiveness!

During one walk, Kathy and I were waiting at a street corner for the lights to change. In front of us were two police cars, parked one behind the other on the side of the lane. The furthest back police car pulled out to pass the other and move on down the road. As soon as he pulled the nose of his car out into the main stream of traffic, a big SUV coming from behind honked at him.

We were surprised! I don't think I'd ever honk at a police car!! But this guy did.

Surprised at the brazenness, I looked at the impatient driver. He was a businessman dressed in a dark suit with white shirt and talking on his cell phone. He had that look of “don’t get in my way!”

The traffic situation was inconvenient to halt, so the police car, after reacting with a jam-on-the-brake stop, cruised over to the side, let the SUV pass, and then pursued him with lights flashing. The horn-honker was going to pay…

I figured the horn-honker was so absorbed in his telephone conversation, that he didn’t look at the car he honked at. He probably honked out of habit, disregarding the spirit and intent of the horn-honking law altogether.

And the lesson I witnessed was being reminded of how law-breaking often works. Violators may get by for a while breaking the law when no enforcers are around to watch, but eventually, their criminal actions are going to get them into trouble, perhaps when they least expect it. Their brazenness blinds them and causes them to do stupid things.

Moral and spiritual violations in life are no different. Some people may go undetected lying once here, twice somewhere else, or cutting ethical corners they should not and get by for a period. But eventually, the moral illegality will catch up to them and there will be a price to pay.

It’s best we rectify our actions ASAP, and keep ourselves out of trouble to begin with! It's a lot less costly.


It’s always safe to live a moral, pure and clean life. No expensive penalties to fear then!

It's easier to stay clean

A high-profile lobbyist in Washington DC named Jack Abramoff recently pleaded guilty to three felony counts. His up-coming testimony threatens to end careers of several members of Congress associated with his shady dealings, plus land himself in prison and end a high-flying career.

“The way of transgressors is hard,” the Bible reminds us. His plight reminds us it’s much easier to stay out of trouble then to restore one’s reputation and integrity once its been ruined.

Selfishness, greed and lack of respect may tempt some power players to ignore sound ethical choices at times, but the good news is we don’t have to give into temptation. God is the source of everything good we need to live a happy prosperous life. We don’t have to compromise with evil to prosper and do well. The trade-offs aren’t worth it. We can resist wrong and do what God wants us to do in the first place.