INSTRUCTION MANUAL
04th Sep 2024
When you acquire a new piece of equipment, do you carefully study the instruction manual? If you want to get the greatest benefit from your new purchase, giving close attention to the instructions is very important.
The new life in Jesus comes with an instruction manual and it is called the Bible. Why is there such ignorance of the Word? Why is so much preaching in our churches so lacking in Word content? Why do so few people read the Bible on a daily basis?
2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
If we want our lives to be strong and purposeful, if we want to live lives that are pleasing to God and bearing good fruit, we need to carefully study the “Instruction Manual”.
We meet many folk who are recommending books on living a healthy lifestyle, avoiding processed food, taking adequate exercise. They seem avid readers of the latest book written by the “expert of the moment” but are they studying God’s Word so that they are living a healthy spiritual lifestyle?
When I was a teenager and had just acquired my full drivers licence, and was a bit of a boy racer, I was also a fan of motor sports and read books and magazines avidly. One book “The Racing Driver by Denis Jenkinson” was instrumental in saving my life. I will tell the story on this week’s video.
Hebrews 4:12 says, “The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to the dividing of soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Living with God’s word as our vital handbook is how all believers should live. In John’s gospel Jesus is challenging his hearers with strong truth. Some could not handle this and it says, “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord to whom shall we go? you have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:66-68)
Are His Words, instructing you, protecting you, challenging you, warning you on a daily basis?
by Charles Sibthorpe
