"The Manual"

"Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not." Proverbs 8:33

Isn't it funny that we will follow the manufacturer's instructions when it comes to the care and operation of certain objects or appliances. For example, if you have a small electrical appliance and the instructions say- "Do Not Immerse"- you will be sure that when you are cleaning it you do not put it into water. If your flashlight calls for a particular size of battle you will purchase that size to use in it, not another size. It's that way with everything that we have which comes with instructions. We follow them and do what the manufacturer suggest. So my question is this, "Why is it, when it comes to the Bible, we don't do the same?"

The Bible is our "instruction manual" for life. It tells us what we should and should not do. It tells us how to receive eternal life. It tells us what the consequences will be if we refuse to follow its instructions. Yet, many people treat it with less regard than they do the owner's manual for an appliance. They ignore its teachings. They reject its warnings. They overlook its instructions. When you try to tell them what it says, they aren't interested and act as if you are making it up or that they can "violate" its warnings and still be safe. The instructions that came with my lawn mower warned me not to stick my hands or feet under it while it is running. Why? So that I don't lose a limb. Am I going to heed that warning? You better believe it. We obey these instructions because we want to stay safe and not risk injury. But we won't listen to God's warnings and continue living a lifestyle that leads to death.

God is the author of the Bible. He wrote it in order that you might know the truth about "life"-- how to have eternal life and abundant life, and how to "maintain" and "operate/live" it. When God's word says that the soul who sins will surely die, it means just that. It doesn't matter if society says a sinful practice is all right; it doesn't matter if our culture says it is not sin; it doesn't matter if it is politically correct; if the "manual/Bible" gives a warning concerning it, you heed what is in the manual regardless of what others may try to tell you.

As with anything, if you ignore the warnings and instructions and go against them you will reap the consequences. This is true also of God's warnings that are written in the Bible. Are you ignoring them? Or are you heeding them? If you ignore them, it can cause serious injury or death- spiritually speaking. If you heed them and follow them, you will enjoy eternal and abundant life.

Have a great day. If you'll heed what the manufacturer of an appliance says, why won't you heed what God says in His word?

For further reading:
Proverbs 2:1,2; 7:1,2; 4:13,14,20; 3:1
Ezekiel 18:20a
Psalm 50:16,17
1 Corinthians 6:9,10
Galatians 5:19-25