Reminders, Reminders

Ever need a reminder? Peter tells us that we do. In 2 Peter 1:12-15 he says that its alright to remind us even of things we already know. I recall a situation where two Christians whom we'll call John and Bill get into a conversation. Bill feels he has been called of God to stay home with his children while his wife works, after all she makes more than he does. John warns Bill that God never calls you to do something contrary to what the Bible says. He reminds Bill that he is instructed in the Bible to be the provider for his family and his wife is to be his helper in all of life, not the other way around. Maybe Bill gets it, maybe he doesn't.

The sad part is, 6 months later John and his wife Mary decide that they really want to get that lake home they have always dreamed about. They want to get it now, before the prices get much higher and while the children are still young enough to want to use it with them. Problem is they can't afford it on John's wages so they decide to put the children in daycare and have Mary take a job. They rationalize that God is calling them to take this action so they can spend more time with their children enjoying each other's company at the lake.

John forgets that God never calls us to do anything contrary to what He has already revealed to us in the Bible. God tells us in His word that our wife is to be under our authority and protection and not out working under another man's authority. God calls our wife to be our helper in accomplishing our dominion mandate under God, not helping another man to complete his.

John missed the boat. Why? Why do so many Christians miss the boat? Because they are not reminded, as Peter said, reminded constantly of what God's word teaches. It's easy to rationalize and stray from the path and loose the blessing God has for you.

Two things you can do to avoid this. First, spend time studying your Bible, searching out the principles that God gives you for direction in your life. Second, put yourself under consistent godly teaching. Teaching that helps you learn and apply those principles that God has graciously given you so that you would know what to do in each situation you encounter in life. Then you will be able to stay on that narrow path, walking with our Lord, day by day.