An Open Letter to the Guy Who Stole My Car

Dear Person Who Stole My Car,

I wish I knew your name. And I wish you knew that you didn’t just steal my car, and leave it abandoned in the middle of the road. Because you didn’t just steal my car. You have caused a giant headache for my life.

You didn’t just steal my car. Somehow you broke my car to the point that we still don’t know if it is drivable two weeks later. Within the two hours you had the car, somehow the engine failed to work.

It is now eight weeks later, and we still don’t know if the damage to the car is going to be covered by insurance. Yes, it has been a long road.

Sin Ripples

It has had ripple effects into the lives of my loved ones too. Physical issues, and emotional fear. A lot of stress.

I could go on, but this isn’t what I really want you to know. What I really want you to know is that God loves you. And you don’t have to live a life of sin, when you have a good Father who says “I have a better way.”

Dear Person Who Stole My Car, What I really want you to know is this… Click To Tweet

I know you are a man, probably a young man who thought this was “fun”, but I remember the woman who was brought before Jesus by Pharisees accusing her of committing adultery. They knew by law she should have been stoned to death, and they asked Jesus what He would say?

They probably hoped He would say that she should get what she deserved.

But He didn’t.

Who Am I To Cast A Stone?

He said “May the one without sin cast the first stone.”

Jesus was without sin, but they weren’t. He turns to the woman and says, “Has no one condemned you?”

“No, Sir.”

And then He says, “Neither do I.”

Grace.

He gave her what she didn’t deserve according to the law. And then He says “Go and sin no more.”

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Hope for the Future

He doesn’t just not condemn our sin. He wants us to turn away from our sin, and turn to Him. He is full of grace, and He is full of love.

And that is what I want you to know. I am not mad. The people around me may have fear, but my heart breaks that you have to result to a life of sin, opposed to an abundant life filled with everlasting joy. His joy isn’t a temporary high, but a joy and peace that passes understanding.

I want that for you. I want that for you, more than I want the engine of my stolen car to be covered by my warranty.

I was not much different than you once. I stole something that caused a lot of heartache for a few people. But when I realized what I did, I gave back what was taken. I am not asking you to give back what was taken.

I just want you to know, that I have been in your shoes. And that I am a sinner. But I am a sinner saved by grace, because the love of my Savior, Jesus is loyal, steadfast, and unfailing. 

My Stolen Car Doesn’t Condemn You

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8: 1-2

And this is what I want you to know, you can turn to Jesus to. You can turn away from the path you have been living, and turn to a loving Father, who’s love is unfailing, so that He can show you His unshakeable grace. You just need to ask Him.

In His grace,

Jess

Dear Readers…

And now I write to you all. This is what my stolen car has taught me about sin.

Sin doesn’t just affect the person committing the sin. Sin has a ripple effect. Kind of like we are still dealing with the ripple effects of sin since it entered the world, like right after the world was created. I bet Adam and Eve never imagined what would have happened next.

I bet the guy who took my car didn’t either, and I forget that my sin has a ripple affect too.

And I long for the day when sin is no more, and the picture of Revelation 21:4 comes to pass.

You know what else I know?

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Grace Ripples Too

That even though sin has a ripple effect, so does grace. We are forgiven, and in turn we can forgive others. We are offered grace, so we can extend it to others. We can look at those who are drowning in sin with tears, because there is a better way, because we know that there is a better way!

I have been deep into Psalm 119 recently, and it is a cry from someone who deeply desires to know God’s word so that He doesn’t sin against Him.

I found it kind of interesting, because honestly, we don’t know His commands, limits, boundaries, statutes, precepts, or desires for our lives unless He teaches us His word.

And when we want to know how to live, we can look at how Jesus lived, because “He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1: 2-5

We Can’t, But Jesus Did

But truthfully, we are never going to be able to check every box of living up to the law. And thankfully God knows that, and that is why He sent Jesus to die in our place, so that the veil that was between us and Him could be torn. We are set free, so that we share His testimony in our lives.

Do you want to know a few words that just melt my heart when I read them in Scripture?

And. Jesus. Said.

Because what Jesus says is true. And these are His words written in blood red.

• “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me.”
• “Love your enemies. And pray for those who persecute.”
• “Forgive and you will be forgiven.”
• “Celebrate with me!” He cries. “I have found my lost sheep.”

Let us live like we know His grace. Let us love, like we are forgiven. And let us pray for the lost to be found, even if they have done us wrong. And let us celebrate when they have given their lives to the One who paid the ransom for their sin.

4 Things Jesus Said That Change The Way Jessica Views The Person Who Stole Her Car. Click To Tweet

My Stolen Car & You

I hope you can’t relate too well to my stolen car incident, but I do hope you can relate to God’s grace. How has God worked in your heart recently?

*Originally posted April 14th, 2021

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