God gives us spiritual reminders every day

Religion Columnist

We have three operable vehicles and currently three drivers and soon to be four. I carry keys to only one vehicle and we have only one set of keys to one of the other vehicles, which are carried by someone else. Recently, when I needed to use that vehicle, I asked the key holder to leave the keys on the washer and drive the vehicle for which I have a set of keys. When I came to get the keys, I found the extra set for the third vehicle, which had already been taken by the other driver. Yep, it’s confusing, but the bottom line is that I was stranded.

Everything worked out and everyone made all their appointments, but later in the week I remembered that we were going to have the same situation and I could get hopelessly stranded. So, I decided to get those keys before anyone left the house. Then, I thanked God for reminding me of that so I could avoid repeating the problem.

One of the reasons God gives us his Spirit is to remind us of things (John 14:23-26). While this was likely spoken to the 11 remaining Apostles (Luke 22:1-14; John 13:21-30), the promise that the Spirit would remind us of Jesus’ teachings applies to all Christians – those who’ve obeyed Jesus’ teaching by being baptized to be forgiven of their sins and be adopted into God’s family (Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 5:32; 2:38-39; Galatians 3:26-29; 4:6-7; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:1-2, 9-17).

Today’s reminders come to those who’ve learned Jesus’ teaching through his inspired writers, some of which were among those to whom the promise was first made, namely, Matthew, Peter, and John (1 John 5:1-13). Peter even stated that his purpose in writing was to remind us of Jesus’ teaching and that we must add knowledge to our faith (2 Peter 1:3-15; 3:17-18; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2:15).

The Spirit actually helps us understand the truth in the word of God but most people never open it for personal study and growth so they can add knowledge to their faith and goodness and thereby begin displaying the divine nature in their daily life (1 Corinthians 2:12-14; Acts 8:30-39; Galatians 5:16-25). If we don’t keep in step with the Spirit through regular Bible study, we’ll forget that we’re God’s children and have been forgiven. The Spirit also helps us live for God by helping us recall information as needed from a knowledge base developed through our personal Bible study (Matthew 10:17-20).

I’ll admit that remembering to get those car keys doesn’t fall into the same category as being reminded that I’m God’s child or what to say or do in a given situation, but if I continue attributing those “little” things to God, they actually turn out to be reminders of God’s presence in my life and the blessings that brings.

Do you have the Spirit living in you because you obeyed God’s command? I do. Now, I also plan to get another set of car keys.

Leonard Lauriault is a member of the Church of Christ in Logan. Contact him at [email protected]