I bought a $5.88 level at West Building supply to help me in building
Margaret's playhouse. I've
always heard that you get what you pay for and the cheap level clearly
demonstrated this truth---it
was a couple of bubbles off!
The unlevel level reminded me that we must be careful how we measure
our own lives. We must
the true standard if we are going to line up with God's will for our
lives and then we must apply it:
I. WE MUST CHECK OURSELVES HONESTLY
This involves using an honest tool.
A. It can't be based on our own opinion
B. It can't be based on ungodly counsel
C. It must be based on:
1. God's Word---Psalm
119:11---Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not
sin against thee.
Psalm19:9---The fear of the LORD [is] clean, enduring for ever: the
judgments of the LORD [are] true [and] righteous altogether.
Psalm 119:160---Thy word [is] true [from] the beginning: and every one
of
thy righteous judgments [endureth] for ever.
Changing the level just a little to make it right---we can't do that with
the Word
of God---Satan in Genesis 3---"He didn't really say that." "Hmm,
you know, I
think you're right.
There are no fudge-factors in the world of levels and the same is true
in the
things of God.
Another gospel---Galatians 1:6-7
2. That inner prompting of
the Holy Spirit that will always agree with God's Word-
--Psalm 139:23-24---Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know
my thoughts: And see if [there be any] wicked way in me, and lead me in
the
way everlasting.
II. WE MUST CHECK OURSELVES OFTEN
Making up a corner when nailing two standup walls
together---constantly checking with
the level before driving each nail.
A. Pray without ceasing--1 Thessalonians 5:17
B. Study to show ourselves approved unto God--2 Timothy 2:15
III. WE MUST BE OPEN TO ANOTHER PUTTING GOD'S LEVEL UP TO OUR LIVES
Now wait a minute preacher doesn't the Bible say
something about judging your brother---
sumpin' about a log in your eye and a speck
in your brother's. Well, it does in Matthew
7:1ff.. We just tend to forget the last part
of verse 5.
We see this demonstrated in scripture in 2 Samuel 12:1ff.
IV. WE MUST PASS THE LEVEL ON TO OUR CHILDREN
Deuteronomy 6:1ff, 20 (Dad, what's this level for?)
"Son, make sure that your life is lined up with the
Word of God---that you walk the
straight and narrow path---it is the only walk that
is a joyful walk and it's the only one
that leads to heaven."
We live in a day and age that children have not been given the tools
they need to live a Godly life
and so they have to "eyeball" it. That's probably what the guy
who built the Leaning Tower of
Pizza did---"Looks OK to me."---Proverbs 14:12, 16:25---"There is a
way which seemeth right
unto a man but the end thereof are the ways of death."