Acquired Tastes

The movie “Days of Thunder” is a fun film about NASCAR racing. The two main rival drivers played by Tom Cruise and Michael Rooker, are causing all kinds of dangerous chaos on the racetrack trying to win races. They are constantly spinning people out, bumping and crashing their way to front of the field. They are brought before a disciplinary committee because of their lack of regard for the rules of racing. Big John, the commissioner, tells them a story of a “Japanese lettuce inspection”. Big John says when the Japanese get a shipment of produce that they may not want to let into the country, they just let it sit on this ship until they are ready to inspect it. The delay in inspection allows the lettuce to decay and rot. Big John then says to these two drivers, “Well what we are going to do here is a little bit of Japanese inspection on you boys”. The point being that these drivers were now under the microscope for everything that happens during the race.  

In verse 21 in the NIV it reads, “What benefit did you reap.” In the King James Translation, it uses the word “fruit” instead of benefit. This passage is challenging me to examine the fruit my life produces. It contrasts being slaves to unrighteousness or righteousness. Simply put: Who do I really serve? God or my own selfish sinful desires? When I examine my life before I knew Jesus I see many things to be ashamed of. Things that may have seemed important before my life with Jesus but now are empty and have little value. A relationship with Jesus realigns my whole life. This new focus becomes how can I become more Christlike in my everyday life? This means I must examine my motives, actions, and responses to make sure they align with God’s commands and principles. These inspections, if done honestly and regularly, will produce good fruit in your life. So, no matter what place you are at in your spiritual journey of faith, accountability and inspection of your life are key to taking that next significant step in your faith journey.