Change the oil!

Change the oil!

The car engine was making an abnormal ticking sound that I associate with low oil. I asked the young man who owns it, “Have you had the oil changed recently, or checked it?”  He laughed. “No, I never think of it.” A few weeks later the engine seized and his car was worthless. Neglect of a $29.95 basic maintenance item caused him a big loss that he could not afford. Regular oil changes can easily be overlooked and the engine won't stop immediately.  An engine will run when it is 3 quarts low, but eventually the neglect will bring on failure.  So many things in life are like that. Preventative maintenance is easy to overlook. Given time; there is a price to pay. 

Regular involvement with a local congregation of Christians is like that. Yes, of course, you can be a Christian without regularly going to church. You won't be as effective but you can know saving faith. You can read your Bible, pray, trust Christ, and make Sunday a play day: golfing, fishing, and picnicking with family.  I’ll even allow that in the short term you won't see much impact on your spiritual life. You might even feel some relief about ridding yourself of another obligation on Sunday AM.  

But, (here it comes, you knew it) God knows that we need the encouragement of other Christians. He knows we need the corrective of the Word.  He knows that there is a steadiness, a strength, a maturity that comes from the discipline of corporate worship and prayers with others, so He directs us to "consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25, NIV)  Your car came with an owner’s manual that specifies optimal maintenance schedules. God gave us the Scripture that teach us the paths to a healthy soul!

If we ignore His wisdom, there will be a subtle erosion of spiritual health. Gradually, the edge will go out of your faith. Without teaching that helps you to apply the unchanging Word to an ever-changing world your spiritual understanding will stagnate.  From your example, your kids will conclude that church is just one of life's options, and as young adults, they will all most certainly discard church attendance all together, along with saving faith.

·         Neglecting to read the Scripture on a daily basis won't cause you to immediately descend into gross immorality.

·         Failure to engage in generous giving won't turn you into a greedy man next week.

·         Failure to pray today won't turn you into an atheist tomorrow!

But... long term a failure to practice these things will bring on spiritual flab. Your spiritual ears will miss the 'still, small voice of God.' Your spiritual eyes will not perceive His hand at work. Your short prayers will turn into childish whimpers and whines... 'bless me, give me, help me.'

Change the oil according to the maintenance schedule! Go to church. Read the Word. Get into a small group. Here is wisdom from the Word. If you make the investment in doing the small things, the big things will fall into place, God promises that! "Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. This is true, and everyone should accept it." (1 Timothy 4:7-9, NLT)

_______________

My eyes are dry,

my faith is old.

My heart is hard

my prayers are cold.

And I know how

I ought to be,

Alive in You, and

dead to me!

Oh, what can be done

For an old heart like mine?

Soften it up with oil and wine.

The oil is You,

Your Spirit of love;

Please wash me anew

In the wine of Your blood.

My Eyes Are Dry

© 1978 Birdwing Music | Ears To Hear | BMG Songs, Inc. (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)ü(Admin. by BMG Music Publishing) | (Admin. by BMG Music Publishing)ü(Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)ü(Admin. by BMG Music Publishing)

Keith Green

CCLI License No. 810055