Coming home last night I noticed blue lights ahead of me, which is much better than noticing blue lights behind me! There was a safety check, a major undertaking involving a large amount of officers and cars. People were pulled over and police officers had flash lights looking in automobiles. The road was blocked and we all sat in a line waiting to be reviewed. I pulled out my license and registration and waited. There was a large 18-Wheeler in front of me; a car full of teenagers pulled over to the side being questioned; two ladies looking frustrated leaning up against their car on the other side. I wondered what their violations were. I was rejoicing that I don’t have teenagers anymore.
In our Christian life we need safety checks too. Here are a few to tune up your Christianity:
1. Act like a Christian
John 13:15, ” I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”
Ephesians 5:1, “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
1 Corinthians 11:1, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
Do you know what it means to imitate Christ? To follow His example? To walk in His way? It is impossible to know what Jesus would do if you don’t really know what He did and how He did it. The only way to know is to study His example in the Bible. Make sure you are studying the Bible daily and learning how to act as He acted.
2. Acknowledge your mistakes.
1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Acts 2:38, “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 3:19, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord…”
We all make them. We all sin. We all fall short. Acknowledge, repent, and move forward. If you have not prayerfully asked God to check your heart; if you have not gone to God in prayer about your faults; if you have not repented of your sins; it is time to do so. Make sure you are asking for forgiveness and removing that particular act from your life.
3. Develop a time of prayer.
Ephesians 6:18, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17, “… pray without ceasing.”
Romans 10:13, “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Your prayer life is an important part of Christianity and your relationship with God. It keeps the lines of communication open. Daily prayer is essential. Make sure you are making time for God each day in prayer.
4. Serve others.
1 Corinthians 10:24, “No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.”
Matthew 23:11, “The greatest among you will be your servant.”
Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Jesus came to serve; not to be served. We must evaluate our lives. Are we givers or takers? Look at your life. How are you serving others? What do you do on a daily basis to help someone else?
A young officer checked me out as I pulled through the line. Everything was in order and
