28
Apr '25
Repairing or Replacing Your Spiritual Life
28
Apr '25
Introduction: Recently, a tire went flat on our truck. After pumping it up with air, it became apparent that the leak was coming from a bad place on the inside of the tire. Should you try to “repair the tire”? Or should you just go ahead and “replace it”? This example illustrates every Christian’s dilemma. For instance, a bad attitude needs to be replaced! But an overzealous and critical witness probably just needs repairing.
1. A Bad Attitude needs Replacing! (Luke 15:11-13) – “And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.”
Fast forward. After hitting rock bottom, the boy’s attitude has changed! With a repentant heart, he returns home with a grateful heart. A dose of hard times cured his ingratitude which turned into appreciation for what he had! Do you need a change of attitude? God has been good!
2. An overzealous witness and critic needs Repairing! (Mark 14:4-7) – “And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.”
We all have “blind spots”! Did you know that? Oftentimes we have tunnel vision. While on the one hand we see some things, but on the other we can’t see everything. That means that we can “think we are in the right” but really “be in the wrong.” Has that ever happened to you? Look around, it may be the case right now.
Conclusion: Is there anything in your life, like attitude, that needs replacing? Call upon Jesus. Admit your negativity. Let’s face it. It happens to everyone. Ask the Holy Spirit to both cleanse you and renew you.
And next, perhaps you have wanted someone to be saved, or get in Church, and have gone “overboard” or “overkill”, and inadvertently become critical. Pray for wisdom and compassion instead of being critical or judgmental.
Either way, our Lord is in the “Repairing and Replacing” business! Thank God!!
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese