Object Lesson: Gear, Motor, Yoke
The Sapphire Review Vol. 3 | No. 12 • April 10, 2026
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:29–30, KJV
INTRO
Consider a simple motor with a spindle. Such a motor is the driving force behind whatever mechanism it is attached to. Without it, a machine will do absolutely nothing, regardless of how advanced it may be.
Next, consider a gear. On its own, it is inanimate, powerless, and unable to do any purposeful work. However, once the gear is placed upon the spindle of the motor, it becomes the vessel through which the power of the motor is transferred throughout the rest of the machine. Often, there are many gears of varied sizes, each connecting in diverse ways to various parts and pieces in order for the machine to be able to carry out its designed purposes.
OBJECT LESSON
Here we see a picture of the working relationship between Christ and His followers. The motor represents Christ, for power and strength is imparted to the believer through Him. The gear represents the Christian who, once surrendered to Christ, is actuated to carry out his God-ordained purposes in life.
As the gear upon the motor remains productive, so also the Christian that abides in Christ will bring forth much fruit.1 However, if the gear becomes dislodged from the spindle, the operations of the machine will slow to an eventual stop. So it is with the Christian, if he ceases to abide in Christ, his fruit will dwindle and even what he once had will be lost.2
We cannot live in the future based only upon past spiritual experiences. We must continually, daily, abide in Christ.
Our adversary, the devil, is ever on the prowl to destroy, discourage, and divide all those who are walking with Christ or considering doing so.3 So long as the gear remains detached from the motor, Satan is satisfied. He is content for much time and money to be invested in the building up of the machine, so long as it remains removed from the motor and source of true power and authority.
Even the smallest, cheapest, and simplest machine, when connected to a power source, is more effective and beneficial than the largest, grandest, and most advanced machine that stands alone and disconnected. So it is with churches today and their connection with (or without) Jesus through the Holy Spirit.
INSPIRATION
The Bible tells us that we are to bear fruit unto the glory of the Father. Go to Christ, take His yoke, and He will teach you, guide you, and help you to fulfill this calling.
“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” (John 15:8, KJV)
The Bible tells us that we are to love one another as Christ loves us.4 Go to Christ, take His yoke, and He will teach you, guide you, and help you to fulfill this calling.
“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” (John 15:12, KJV)
The Bible says that we are to keep the commandments.5 Go to Christ, take His yoke, and He will teach you, guide you, and help you to fulfill this calling.
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” (John 14:21, KJV)
The Bible says that we are to overcome all sin and sinful habits, whether they be inherited or developed. This is true righteousness by faith.6 Go to Christ, take His yoke, and He will teach you, guide you, and help you to fulfill this calling.
“What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.” (Romans 6:15, KJV)
“Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” (Romans 6:18, KJV)
The Bible says that we are to put off anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy communications from our mouths. Go to Christ, take His yoke, and He will teach you, guide you, and help you to fulfill this calling.
“But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.” (Colossians 3:8, KJV)
The Bible says that we are to share truth and the gospel message with others.7 Go to Christ, take His yoke, and He will teach you, guide you, and help you to fulfill this calling.
“What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.” (Matthew 10:27, KJV)
The Bible says that we should have good works as evidence of faith. These works should be seen by others in such a way that they glorify our heavenly Father.8 Go to Christ, take His yoke, and He will teach you, guide you, and help you to fulfill this calling.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16, KJV)
CLOSING
The list could go on, touching on so many things, but the principle here is clearly presented. Without the help of Christ Jesus our Lord, we can do nothing.9 The best we can hope for is a mere form of religion, absent of any real life and character changing power. (a machine without a motor)10 With Jesus, by His spirit, we are able to fulfill every calling that God places upon our lives.11
We will never be saved by our works any more than the machine will ever operate with the main gear detached from the motor. However, to the converted Christian who is abiding in Christ and has the law of God written upon his heart,12 good works, obedience to God’s commandments, love for Christ, love for others, transformation of character, and overcoming sins will continually develop throughout their lifetime. They will be as the gear which remains connected to the motor and as one who daily takes up the yoke with Jesus.
PRAYER
May God help us to be more like Christ every day and to abide firmly in Him. May our characters be continually transformed into more of the likeness of Christ and less of the worldly pattern.
God Bless,
Charles
SCRIPTURE INDEX
