A New Car

                                   

Thinking back over the last 25 years, I have had the pleasure of acquiring three new cars, right from the showroom. Along with the title, I was presented with the Manufacturer’s Warranty, spelling out my responsibilities for the care of the new vehicle.

No one required any promise from me to follow explicitly all the instructions. I think they expected anyone smart enough to have a driver’s license and car insurance would understand that the manufacturer who built the car knew best how to maintain its safety and reliability. Read it or not, the car was mine. Following the instructions and suggestions was optional. Life expectancy and reliability of the vehicle was not optional.

The warranty was based on the quality of my care, my following the basic rules, caring and feeding the new baby properly: changing its tires, oil, well-baby checks at the dealership or other professional caregiver, routine maintenance and learning the unique features not included in my previous car. 

Consequences of ignoring the manufacturer’s manual was usually expensive in one way or another, when the vehicle required intensive care.

Same way with the Bible. Really, did you think it was just a “vanity-published book” , created by God to pat Himself on the back for His own amusement?

Consider that He is the manufacturer of humans in His spiritual likeness (which everyone since Adam has rebelled against at times). Consider that He knows you inside and out, front to back, head and heart to toes and wants to introduce you to the best way to live and become prepared for an eternal future with Him, warranty and all. Same as with the new car, following the Manufacturer’s instruction manual is optional; the result is not optional.