On August 15, 2022, train inspector Russell DeCeck accidentally fell on to the railroad tracks in the Long Island Railroad<newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/08/15/gov-cuomo-signs-law-prohibiting-smoking-on-metro-north-lirr-platforms/>’s Babylon, New York yard. He fell onto the third rail, the electrified rail that transmits electrical power to the moving train, and died.
We too have third rail issues in our lives – painful issues in our relationships that never seem to go away and can also lead to death – of trust, relationships, marriages, and even life itself. It may even lead to our eternal death in the Lake of Fire, for God is a holy and righteous God who does not allow any sin into heaven. So that sin of unforgiveness and unrepentance that you justify in your mind and cherish in your heart may just cost you your seat on the train headed to heaven.
Common third rail issues include: money (never enough), in-laws (too close and too often), parents (not leaving and cleaving), how to raise/discipline children (his, hers, theirs), relationship with ex-spouses (all of them), TV remote (really), food preparation (too much work), alcohol/drugs/porn (and other addictions), vacations (NASCAR or the beach?), spending priorities (4 wheeler or new sofa?), sex (big surprise), lack of communication (another big surprise), and religion/church (yours or mine?).
Addressing third rail issues starts with serious listening to the other person and their concerns. If we won’t listen to them and try to see the situation from their perspective, they won’t listen to ours. As we seek to work through issues, remember that God gives us the keys to shutting down third rail issues in our lives and relationships. They are repenting of sins we have committed against that person, asking for forgiveness, and forgiving that person in return. When we do this, God shuts off the power to the third rail issues in our lives, and we can live free of the past, enjoying the present, and looking forward to the future.
We too have third rail issues in our lives – painful issues in our relationships that never seem to go away and can also lead to death – of trust, relationships, marriages, and even life itself. It may even lead to our eternal death in the Lake of Fire, for God is a holy and righteous God who does not allow any sin into heaven. So that sin of unforgiveness and unrepentance that you justify in your mind and cherish in your heart may just cost you your seat on the train headed to heaven.
Common third rail issues include: money (never enough), in-laws (too close and too often), parents (not leaving and cleaving), how to raise/discipline children (his, hers, theirs), relationship with ex-spouses (all of them), TV remote (really), food preparation (too much work), alcohol/drugs/porn (and other addictions), vacations (NASCAR or the beach?), spending priorities (4 wheeler or new sofa?), sex (big surprise), lack of communication (another big surprise), and religion/church (yours or mine?).
Addressing third rail issues starts with serious listening to the other person and their concerns. If we won’t listen to them and try to see the situation from their perspective, they won’t listen to ours. As we seek to work through issues, remember that God gives us the keys to shutting down third rail issues in our lives and relationships. They are repenting of sins we have committed against that person, asking for forgiveness, and forgiving that person in return. When we do this, God shuts off the power to the third rail issues in our lives, and we can live free of the past, enjoying the present, and looking forward to the future.
Every person we meet has third rail issues in their lives – they may be low voltage or they may be high voltage and hot. Let us go forth with the love and truth of Christ, and share the keys of repentance and forgiveness to help free people from the danger of these third rail issues in their lives.
To God be the glory
Board of Evangelism