I recently bought a chemical product to use. Having used this product numerous times, I thought I knew how and where to use it without reading the instructions. … I was wrong. The end result was a very painful chemical burn and a trip to the doctor.
Instructions are found everywhere in our daily life. Traffic signs instruct us in which direction to drive and at what speed. Instructions are on everything from a can of soup to medication. But how often do we read or even adhere to the instructions? And how much trouble would it save if we simply read and followed instructions?
For instance, many do not follow instructions when assembling a simple piece of furniture such as a bookshelf. When we don't read the instructions, it usually takes us longer and causes much more frustration. It can even lead to a big argument with your spouse. Why do we insist on doing things our own way when the manufacturer clearly tells us what to do?
As Christians, we fail to read and follow the most important instructions of all … God's Holy Word. Our Manufacturer is all-knowing and all-seeing. Yet, we insist that we know what to do and how to do it. How much trouble has not reading the instructions caused you? I will admit I've gotten into a lot of trouble by not following instructions.
While everyone knows, or at least has of heard, of The Ten Commandments which were given to Moses on Mount Sinai, how many of us truly adhere to the instructions? The most important instructions of all were given by Jesus in Matthew 22:36-40: “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
How much better would our lives be if we apply these instructions to our hearts and live them out daily? We would not only be following God's instructions, but we would be showing others around us how to live in Jesus. However, just as in not following directions can lead to physical injury, not following God's instructions can lead to a spiritual injury and even death. By following Christ's instruction to love our neighbor just as much as we love ourselves, we would be a light to those seeking warmth in a cruel, cold world. “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. YOU are the light of the world. … Let YOUR light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt 5:13-16)
Read the instructions.