The Instructions

         I recently purchased a set of mirrors for my car that wwould give me a better view of my blind spots.  It was obviously made in China and the English directions for installation were humorous to me.  The choice of words was just a tad unusual.    The world is filled with all kinds of instructions.  You can purchase a manual that will tell you how to do almost everything.  A manual or set of instructions are valuable only if you use them in the way that they were intended.  I used to purchase these small pieces of furniture such as a book case, a microwave stand or even an entertainment center and evenmy set of new mirrors. These were usually very simple things to assemble so I would start by putting together the pieces where I thought they should go.  In almost every case, I had to take it apart and start over.  There may have been a part that needed to be installed right at the beginning that I missed or I would put a shelf in upside down.  It looked good, but the holes wouldn't line up later.  I would finally turn to the instructions and start over.  I have now learned to start with the instructions first.  It usually saves me a lot of time.  Our Christian lives are no different.  We have the best set of instructions in the Holy Bible that has been given to us by God.  James 1:22 says, "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."  
        James here reminds us that we are not only to know the instructions but that we are to do them.  There is a difference.  A person can know many things about the Word of God but they may yet not be a part of that person's life.  The problem has come in the area of application.  The Bible is filled with all kinds of instructions that need to be heeded by the reader.  It is true that some people have to learn the hard way.  It may be like trying to assemble something without looking at the enclosed instructions.  If you want to get it done right the first time, then it is best to read the manual.  In this case, you had better read God's Word and then begin doing what it says.  The Book of Ephesians is a good example of a set of instructions that need to be heeded.  Take a look at the last three chapters of the book and begin to apply them to your life.  Are you tenderhearted?  Do you forgive others easily?  Are you walking the worthy walk?  May we all be "doers" of the Word.  May we always praise God for His instructions to us through His Holy Word.