For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13
Yesterday I received 2 notices I had not anticipated. Only 1 of them cost me money… though I was HAPPY to pay! The first one came as a text from an unknown phone number which simply asked, “Hey is this Kenneth?” The next one was from my insurance company reminding me that my premiums are now due. After paying almost $2000, I breathed a sigh of relief!
The only thing WORSE than NOT getting a call from my insurance agent… is NOT getting a call from my insurance agent! I don’t pay a lot of attention to the date my premiums are due, so I have an agreement with my agent that if I miss a notice, they will call me. I was grateful for the reminder because I MAY have missed the cut off date. It doesn’t bother me that the ONLY time I hear from my agent is when money is due. As for that text… and since I NEVER go by that name, ‘no…this is not him!’
The Bible is FULL of important NOTICES! Having concluded a Bible study last night on Moses with the CONDITIONS Israel had to fulfill IF they wanted to have a relationship with God, I asked if there were any such conditions on Christians? “Go search for the if’s!” I suggested. In today’s verse, there are 2. For the ‘once saved always saved’ club members, of which I am a lifetime member, ‘IF’ CAN be a scary sign. The ‘NOTICE’ implies, and expects, just that kind of emotion.
Walking with God is meant to be just that… a walk! It is a journey that starts with repentance and receiving His New Life… but continues on THROUGH the rest of my life. When lived correctly, arrival in Heaven is not a surprise but an expectation. Along the way, God, through His Word, leaves notices that help us to affirm we are on the right track… AND His notices point us in the continued right direction. A Believer will ultimately be GRATEFUL when they see a NOTICE! Even if it first points out a danger.
The Bible Notice I just read today forces me to evaluate my life. Am I living it to please my flesh or my spirit? Like the sign, “Bridge Out,” it is MEANT to stop me on purpose. It isn’t pointing out that every little detail of my life is to be perfect. It is simply a road marker verifying if I am on the right course. If most of my thoughts and actions concern my own pleasure and selfishness, then I am put on Notice that I am in BIG trouble!
I remember years ago when I received my drivers license. I was never really nervous at the wheel… UNLESS one of my parents was sitting in the passenger seat! When they were, I carefully and cautiously watched EVERY detail of what I was doing. When I signed up with ‘Team Jesus,’ He PERMANENTLY moved into that very seat. The question I have to consider is this, ‘am I bothered that He is ALWAYS there?’
Let’s ride!!!!
