Racing is happening all over the world. In the United States alone there are over 1500 tracks. At many of them and at every track that sponsors a NASCAR or Indy event there are ministries available to both the teams and the fans. Motor Racing Outreach (go2mro.com) ministers to the drivers, crews, and officials. The National Fellowship of Raceway Ministries (racewayministries.com) ministers to the fans, employees, and drivers at NASCAR and Indy tracks as well as at many local tracks. When you are going to a race check out one of the web site to see what is offered to you and your family.
With all of the different styles of racing in America, from dirt tracks to the large asphalt tracks, there is one thing they have in common and that is the use of flags to share with the race car drivers information about what is going on during the races in which they are participating. These flags look different from each other so they can communicate different aspects of the race. We would like to take the time to show you how the colored flag system can be compared to faith in God’s Son, Jesus Christ as we explain what the flags mean.
The Yellow Flag represents CAUTION. The drivers need to drive slower and much more carefully. This can happen before a race starts or during a race. Usually when it is waved, there has been a wreck on the track somewhere or some type of debris on the track in which could be hit by one of the vehicles.
Yellow (or Gold) is used in the Bible to represent Heaven’s streets of Gold. Heaven is God’s home and He wants you to join Him and His Son there. Our goal should be to join Him there. But, He didn’t say that everyone would make it there. We need to use CAUTION as we go through life. The reason is because there is a problem on the track that we need to be made aware of. The problem or debris on the track is called SIN. Not everyone who calls me their Lord will get into the kingdom of Heaven. Only the ones who obey my Father in heaven will get in. Matthew 7:21 (Contemporary English Version)
The BLACK flag is waved at certain vehicles during the race to tell them that they need to leave the track. Either the driver has not obeyed a particular rule or the track officials have judged the vehicle unfit to continue racing. If a rule has been broken, the driver, the owner or his team is given a penalty and the car cannot continue racing in it’s present condition. The car must be repaired in the pits or in the garage until it passes inspection to continue racing.
The BLACK flag is like SIN. We are all guilty of it. Sin is an old archery term. If someone launches their arrows at a target and is not in the “exact” center can follow all of God’s rules perfectly. Because we are not perfect, we are judged by God as unfit to be with Him in heaven forever...how we are right now. A penalty has been handed down from the judge and we need to work on fixing those imperfections so we can get back on the track. “Those who do not know God’s Law will still be punished for what they do wrong. And the Law will be used to judge everyone who knows what it says.” Romans 2:12 (CEV)
The RED flag is waved to share with drivers about a danger ahead of them. Because of this danger, all vehicles must come to a complete stop on the track. This happens when the track is totally blocked because of an accident or some other reason. But, when it happens, all drivers must stop their cars completely and turn off their engines.
The RED flag represents danger, right? There is a penalty for SIN. This penalty is eternal separation from God. Someone who loves us paid this debt that we could not pay. That someone was Jesus. By the way, He was the only perfect one who walked this earth. He died on the cross and shed His blood for us, so we wouldn’t have to. But if we live in the light, as God does, we share in life with each other. And the blood of His Son Jesus washes all of our sins away. 1 John 1:7 (CEV)
The WHITE flag that is waved at the drivers makes them aware that there is one more lap remaining in the race. It is waved first when the race leader crosses the start/finish line at the beginning of the final lap. The official flagman waves the flag at all drivers until the leader crosses the start/finish line again. White represents a perfect and sinless life. Remember, we are not perfect? But, if we accept what Christ has done for us by dying on the cross and shedding His blood, then we have begun the process of being forgiven of our sins and made perfect. Our life used to be like dirty, filthy garage mechanic rags and has been made clean. Your sins are scarlet red, but they will be whiter than snow or wool. Isaiah 1:18 (CEV)
The next flag is the GREEN flag. After the race car drivers have started their engines and are in a pack on the beginning pace laps, this flag is shown to the drivers to start the race. If you look around the world in spring time, green stands for new growth and of life. Once a person accepts who Jesus is and what He did for them, they start new growth and a new life. The Bible says that they have become a “new creation”. Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (CEV)
The last flag is probably the most recognized flag in racing and that is the CHECKERED flag. It is waved at the drivers to indicate the end of the race and a winner has been declared. That flag is also usually given to the race car driver who won the race so they can hold it out their window of their race cars as they take a victory lap around the track.
Our VICTORY as Christians happens on that day when we accept what Jesus did for us and we are allowed to enter the kingdom of heaven. At that point, we’ll be able to see Jesus face-to-face, fall on our knees and bow before Him forever. But thank God for letting our Lord Jesus Christ give us the victory! 1 Corinthians 15:57 (CEV)
If you are curious how to have a personal relationship with Jesus you can call 1-888-JESUS2000 and an encourager will answer your questions. You can start your relationship right now. The following prayer will help you. Let us know about your decision at cvbc@canaantv.tv
Dear God, thank You for sending Jesus to earth to die in my place. Thank You that He rose from the dead. I recognize that I'm a sinner, and I need Your forgiveness. Please forgive my sins and I will put my faith in Jesus as my Lord and Savior.
Thank You for letting me spend eternity in Heaven with you. Amen
