©2002 Charles Darby
When I was growing up it seemed I was always taking some kind of test. In school, as you know, there was always a test coming up. It seemed to me we would barely get through one before it was time for another.
As I reached my teen years I began to look forward to when I could drive an automobile. I wanted my own car! In preparation for taking the test I read and re-read the manual. I had different ones ask me the questions so I would know the right answers.
Later in life I decided to change my vocation. I wanted to become an insurance agent. This would be the hardest test so far. I studied all the material they gave me. I would get my supervisor to ask me the questions over and over again. I took several tests in the office before going to the real test. Many failed the first time. I decided that was not going to happen to me. Just knowing the answers was not good enough. I wanted to know how to apply the answers and make them work for me.
I passed the test with a higher than average grade. This was not because I was smart but rather because I applied myself to learn.
Most of us have been through similar things in our life. All these tests are important and the progress we make in life is determined by us being diligent to learn.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Many Christians that I have met over the
years have not applied themselves to learn God's word. Some have joined
a church that tells them they need nothing else. They got it all when they
joined the church. Now just hold on till death or till Jesus returns.
If we did this on our job, in our home,
or in our marriage, it would soon go down the drain. There is more to our
Lord than we will come to know this side of heaven. That should not stop
us from trying to get to know Him better and better. We should desire to
grow up into Him in all things. I have been married to the same lady for
53 years and there are still things I find about her I didn't know before.
We are growing together, not apart. Should it not be that way with our
Lord?
For this to happen requires diligence on our part. We must apply our whole heart to seek His will and do it. We are told “Seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you.” “Take my yoke upon you and learn of me.” You might ask, “How can I do that?” The best way is to start reading the Bible and if you don't understand, pray and ask Him to show you. Look up the meanings of the words you don't understand. Become a doer of what you learn.
Many Christians of this generation have never read the Bible through for themselves. They depend on some preacher to tell them what they need to know. I have had some try to tell me what the Bible says but what they say sometimes contradicts plain scripture. I have heard preachers and teachers do this. Obviously these have not read the scriptures all the way through for themselves.
We haven't been this way before. Study the road map, the Bible. When traveling we keep a road map handy all the time less we get lost. If we do this in the natural should we not do the same in spiritual things?
We are talking about something much more important than passing a test in school or on the job. We are talking about heaven or hell. Where we will spend eternity, will it be with our Lord or will it be in a lake of fire?
Let's study to make our calling and election sure. Get out the road map, the manual, the Bible and find out what God says. Paul said. “Forgetting those things that are past I press forward to the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” To borrow a phase “I am using my Bible for a road map.”
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Thank you for reading.
