This post is written by Katie Orr as a companion for Unit 27, Session 4 of The Gospel Project for Adults, Volume 9: From Death to Resurrection (Fall 2023).
Purchasing a car is a chore. Since it is such a massive purchase for most, and we typically use our cars every single day, when a new car is needed, it is not a simple errand to be run. Hours and hours are spent scouring the internet to research different brands and their safety ratings. We peruse consumer reports and have conversations with anyone we know who are current owners of the cars we have our eyes on. Then there is the task of finding the sweet spot of what you require and what you can afford.
Once you’ve narrowed it down to a few makes, models, and years that fit the bill, then it’s time to start looking at inventory. Nowadays, thanks to the internet, this work can be done from the comfort of your home. But in due time, your feet must hit the dealership floor. This is where the exhaustion sets in. Test drives, price haggling, the signing on the dotted line . . . then another, and another, and another. But the process is worth it to fulfill your transportation needs with confidence that your automobile acquisition is an exceptional one.
Many dealerships provide a customer satisfaction guarantee. These typically go a long way in breeding trust in the dealer and providing assurance for the consumer. We all want to make a great investment. Averting risk is a big part of the process. Dealers know that we need to feel safe to move forward in a large purchase like a car. No one likes throwing money down the drain and experiencing buyer’s remorse. Yet the reality is with any buy we carry out, there is no way to remove every risk possible.
Not so, with Jesus. Through His sufficient work on the cross and the power displayed through the resurrection, we can hold on to absolute certainty in our decision to place our faith in Him for salvation. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. The Son of God sits at the right hand of the Father on an eternal throne of righteousness. The Creator of the cosmos holds all things together with His power. Jesus is more than worthy of our trust.
By His track record alone, we should be able to place our complete confidence in Jesus. But to demonstrate the assurance of all we will experience for eternity, God has sealed us with the Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance. Instead of offering a warranty spelled out on a piece of paper, filled with loopholes and limited offerings, we have been given the presence of God as a down-payment of all that we have to look forward to through Christ.
Katie Orr is the author of Secrets of the Happy Soul, seven FOCUSed15 Bible studies, and is the creator of the Bible Study Hub community, where women can receive training, encouragement, and accountability to enjoy God’s Word. Katie holds an MA in discipleship from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. She and her husband, Chris, along with their three children, live in central Florida.
