When Tesla first introduced the autopilot feature in its electric cars, it created quite a sensation in the automobile world. Shortly afterward, it created more commotion throughout the media when people started crashing their cars while using the new feature. As it turned out, drivers were putting entirely too much confidence in the autopilot and doing other things like taking naps and reading books instead of keeping their eyes on the road! Accordingly, Tesla responded by stating, “Autopilot is an assist feature that requires you to keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times,” and that “you need to maintain control and responsibility for your vehicle” while using it. In other words, the feature was never intended to replace the driver, it was simply implemented for assisting the driver during his trip.

There is a spiritual lesson here we could certainly apply to Christianity. It is seen in what the apostle John wrote, “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin,” (1 John 1:7). That word “if” is the key! It implies that we can drift off the path, or that we can wander off course. It also implies that we are capable of getting back on track, or that we can correct our trajectory when we stray by returning to walking in the light. Just as Tesla’s autopilot still requires the driver to be vigilant and make corrections whenever necessary, so likewise does the Christian need to do during their spiritual walk. 

Just because we have been saved and are cleansed by the blood of Christ, does not mean we should take our eyes off of Him! Think about how a sailor navigates a harbor, or a farmer plows a field, by pinpointing a landmark in the distance to mark and maintain a straight line in his course. This is what Paul is referring to by writing, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth,” (Colossians 3:2). It is truly the key to a successful spiritual walk and reaching spiritual maturity! Christians must maintain their spiritual compass so that it tracks straight and true.<be>

The Bible is full of this principle. Throughout the Old Testament, God uses the phrases “If you obey” (Deut 11:27); “if you do this” (Ex 18:23); “if you walk” (1 Kings 6:12); “if you heed, or if you keep my commandments” (2 Chron 7:17) to remind His people to stay on track and not drift off course. In the New Testament, Jesus also teaches us that we cannot serve two masters, so we should “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,” (Matt 6:24,33). For a Christian, all of this has to do with keeping our eyes on Jesus. It is the only way we will make it to heaven. The way we keep our focus solely on Him is by learning God’s will through the Scriptures and then remaining obedient to His commands (1 John 5:1-3). This harmonizes perfectly with Revelation 2:10, “Remain faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life.” That certainly implies a true and straight trajectory, maintained through vigilance.

So, just as Tesla stated that a driver “needs to maintain control and responsibility for their vehicle,” a Christian also needs to maintain self-control and responsibility for their spirituality. A Tesla driver must keep their eyes on the road and a Christian must always keep his/her eyes on Jesus. You can keep your eyes Jesus by “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God,” (Heb. 12:2). He left an example for us to follow (John 13:15).