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The
Compass
A
man was hunting with a friend in unfamiliar territory.
The weather was terrible!
The sky was darkened, and the sun was hidden
from human view.
The rain descended.
The trees were
unusually tall and massive.
As the hunter continued to seek game, he soon
became aware of the fact that he was LOST
IN THE WOODS!!
He thought he knew the way back to the location
where he had entered the forest, but the more he
walked, the more he realized
that he didn’t know the way.
It was then that he reached into his pocket and
took out a small COMPASS and began to
follow a certain course.
However, after walking some distance, he looked
at the compass AGAIN and realized that he had been
following the WRONG END of the needle.
He was actually traveling the OPPOSITE
direction from the way that he wanted to go!
Having discovered his error, he began to walk
in the RIGHT direction by following the
compass in the correct manner.
After some time, he arrived at his
desired destination.
The
experiences of this hunter teach US the importance of
using the correct spiritual guide – and using it in
the right manner – to reach our desired destination
of Heaven.
- It
is possible for us to “feel” that we are
walking in the right direction in religious
matters and be completely lost.
Our own wisdom is not a safe guide. Subjective feelings are not reliable.
The prophet Jeremiah declared,
“O Lord, I know that the way of man
is not in himself; It is not in man that walks to
direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).
Only God’s word is the sure Guide, the
infallible Compass.
- It
is also possible for us to look at the Bible
(God’s compass) in the wrong way and still be
lost.
Many fail to “rightly
divide the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
Some wrest the scriptures unto their own
destruction (2 Peter 3:16).
Some are given wrong directions by “blind”
leaders (Matthew 15:14).
Others are “ever
learning and never
able to come to the knowledge of the truth”
(2 Timothy 3:7).
One must have an open mind, be willing to
study diligently, and possess an attitude of
obedience in searching the Holy Scriptures (Acts
17:11; John 17:7) in order to reach the desired
destination.
- We
must place complete trust in God and in His
compass, the Bible.
We must be fully submissive to the guidance of the
Lord that is provided in it. The compass of God points only - ONE WAY - and
that is through His Son Jesus Christ (John 14:6).
The revealed way includes trusting
in God and in His Word, repenting
of sins, confessing
Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), being baptized
for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16),
AND dedicating one’s life to faithfully
following God’s compass throughout life (1 John
1:7). God
must have our complete confidence if He is to
guide us in the right direction by His compass,
which is His Holy Word (II Timothy 3:16,17).
God’s
Word is to be a - LAMP -
to our feet, and a - LIGHT -
to our path
(Psalms 119:105).
Are YOU following the
RIGHT compass in the RIGHT way?
God bless you.
David A. Sargent
/ Raymond
Elliott
Church of Christ at Creekwood
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama 36695
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