"It's hard to stop a Trane."

This has been the slogan for a company that may have assembled the unit outside your home which keeps your home climate controlled. In my mind, it’s what I would hear when I was running down the basketball court. Even when I was well-conditioned while playing basketball, I weighed more than most guys taller than me. Running down the court at a full sprint made it where it was a challenge for me to stop instantaneously. The momentum was carrying me along.

In 1 Samuel 2, we see what spiritual momentum can do. Hophni and Phinehas, as young men, would rob the Lord of the portion due Him. Before the sacrifice was completed, these rascals would take more than their share of the meat.

1 Samuel 2:17
Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord: for men abhorred the offering of the Lord.

Soon we learn that Eli’s sons were guilty of worse crimes. The tabernacle had begun to resemble the pagan worship sites where immorality was designated a form of worship. Eli pleads with them to mend their ways. He points out that their sin against other men could be addressed by reaching a settlement, but what was to be done about their sin against God? He asks a terrifying question:

1 Samuel 2:25
If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall intreat for him?

Eli did too little, too late. The momentum was carrying these boys right along. The man of God announced to Eli the judgment of God not only upon these young men and not only upon Eli’s family, but upon the entire line of Aaron! The work of the priesthood would one day be replaced with Someone who could stand before God.

Check your spiritual momentum. You may tolerate certain actions as if they are insignificant. Contrary to what Eli believed, every sin is against God. Your spiritual momentum could be leading you in a downward spiral.

Should you be terrified like Eli was about who will mediate for you? Thankfully, you do not need to fear because the Lord himself is willing to forgive. Jesus Christ is our mediator and “ever liveth to make intercession” (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 7:25).

Point the train of your life in the right direction and allow the spiritual momentum to carry you onward in faithfulness. Whenever your train falls off the rails, rest assured that “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” for “we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 1:9; 2:1)!