The Parable of Two Vehicles

This story is about a used 1979 GMC pickup truck, and a 1980 Suzuki CS750E. We will take a look at the natural descriptions—yet see spiritual truth.

First the truck … God showed me a picture that I was going to buy a dark colored pickup truck. This came to pass. This vehicle was used and abused, and its servicing had been neglected. It was dark blue, no power steering, manual transmission, oil like tar, coolant red with rust, it leaked oil and coolant, and 2nd gear would jump out. When I saw the extent of the repairs that would be needed to bring this vehicle to proper running condition, I thought that it would be a bad investment and decided to junk it. Then the Lord reminded me that this was the vehicle he wanted me to have. Seeking God's help I dove into fixing all its problems. I fixed the oil and coolant leaks, changed the manual transmission to automatic, and installed power steering.

Now for the motorcycle … It was red with a blue fuel tank. It was abandoned by its owner, left outside with its seat, fuel tank and spark plugs removed for a year. The engine was full of water and seized. Once again the Lord told me this was the motorcycle I was going to obtain. I was hoping that the engine would just need a flushing and good doses of penetrating oil. This was not to be. Complete overhaul was in store: pulling the engine, removing every item from the engine, cleaning all passages, and adding some new parts. Then, finally, the job was finished.

The parable that God revealed to me is this: Both vehicles looked fine on the outside and both had problems hidden from view. Both were dysfunctional, the motorcycle worse than the truck. People are like these vehicles—outwardly things look fine, but the spirit and soul need help.

The motorcycle is a type of sinner; the engine being seized speaks of being dead in trespasses and sin. When one gives onself to Christ there is a transfer of ownership from Satan to Jesus. The red on the motorcycle speaks of the atonement—bought and redeemed from sin by Christ's shed blood. The blue on the engine tank speaks of God’s holiness; God removes our sins by flushing (or purging) our sinful ways. He imparts to us His Holiness, heals us and makes us whole (engine repaired). The motorcycle was given to me without charge. This speaks of the free gift of eternal life. The repair manual I purchased speaks of the bible, which shows us the inner working of soul, spirit and flesh, also helps us to see who God is and shows us the way to new life in Christ.

The truck speaks of a backslidden Christian. It had no power steering, transmission was manual, and it had developed water and oil leaks. This speaks of a Christian not having the full power of the Holy Spirit or not even being filled with the Holy Spirit at all. Without the indwelling of the Spirit, you try to negotiate direction (steering) and changes in life's trails (transmission) with only the power of your own strength and will. The water leak speaks of the word of God, and how one doesn't retain knowledge of the word by hearing only. The loss of oil speaks of losing God's power and anointing due to disobedience.

The good news is that these vehicles were put into hands that could remedy their situations. As we submit to God, He will restore us, and be able to use us effectively. Ask God to be filled with the Holy Spirit (power steering). He will lead and guide us into true righteousness, and also keep us from stumbling. The transmission jumping out of gear also speaks of trying to do good things without having faith in God and being led by our own will rather than His. Having faith enables us to adjust to life's difficulties automatically (auto transmission). There is no one so deep in sin or backslidden in their walk with Christ that God cannot restore. His love and grace is greater than our failure.

Rodley Russo is vice president of the Spirited Thunder Chapter #645 of the Christian Motorcyclists Association, headquartered in Torrington.