FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS

“All Scripture is inspired by God
and is useful to teach us
what is true and to make us realize
what is wrong in our lives.
It corrects us when we are wrong
and teaches us to do what is right.”
2 Timothy 3:16 NLT
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Some people have the tendency not to read instructions. They start putting the thing together - or start trying to operate the gadget – not really knowing how it works.

In this digital age, new communication devices are hitting the market in a steady stream – only to become obsolete in a very short time because somebody created something new and better. Replacing a ten year old computer or switching from a PC to a Mac certainly requires a good look at the owner’s manual. A brief overview will probably enable us to work some basic functions, but if we want to enjoy all the latest features of the new machine, we really need to become familiar with the instructions and follow them.

It is amazing how people go about attempting to live life without consulting God’s instruction book. They see what other people do, and pick and chose what suits them. The result of lives lived like that fill News Programs every day. It doesn’t have to be that way! God has provided life’s instruction book through inspired prophets and apostles - The Bible, and it never becomes obsolete! “It is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”

It instructs us how we can be set free from the deadly consequences of sin – (something everybody needs to know and take advantage of). It tells us how to best get along with people – how to cope with life’s problems – how to see God’s loving hand, even in the hardest of times. It tells us how to experience his joy and peace - a sure hope for the future – the assurance of being raised from the dead and spend eternity with our Lord in heaven!!

James, our Lord’s half brother wrote, “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” Just as with any instruction book, it is not enough just to know what it says - we need to FOLLOW ITS INSTRUCTIONS in order to reap the benefits.