Manhood 101

by Joey Davis

Three boys were pushing their truck. You know, you don't see many people in Mt. Juliet anymore who know how to "push-off" start a vehicle. Few and far between are the folks who understand the intricate balance of achieving the right speed and letting off the clutch at just the right moment. When I was growing up, that was required curriculum in the undeclared required course "Manhood 101 ."

Seeing these fellows reminded me of my first vehicle . . . a 1952 Dodge Pickup. It was beat up. None of the four tires were the same brand or type. . . one a 70 series, one a snow tire, etc. When I got it I didn't like the color, so I got some left over baby blue house paint from a friend and painted the truck with a brush. It was ugly, it had brush marks in it, it was nippy because of the hole in the floor board. .. but it was mine and I loved it!

I'II never forget buying it. Our neighbor was selling it. Even though he had already basically "licked all the stripes off of this piece of candy," he figured somebody might be willing to buy it anyway. He had a couple of lookers but knew that I wanted it bad. So he told me to put some "earnest money" on it and he would save it for me. ''Earnest money?' He said that earnest money was a significant down payment paid to show that a buyer is serious about making good on the rest of his promise. Of course, he said it in similar terms.

I emptied my pockets. I don't know how much it was, but he was sure that I mean business. Why did I want it? Because I did, that's all . . .

. . . God has purchased us in the same way. He bought.

us with the blood of His Son. But why did he want an old beat up worthless rascal like me? It'll definitely take more than a coat of paint to fix me up. Because He does, and that's all we need to know.

Not only has He purchased us, but He has given us His Spirit as earnest (2 Cor. 1 :22; 5:5). By His Spirit, we know that the greatest spiritual experiences in this life are just a small portion of the awesome joy of being in His presence for an eternity. His Spirit in us reminds us that He is retuning to close the deal for these who are bought with a price. The Holy Spirit is heaven's "earnest money."