“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” 1 John 3:18

Believers are like cars, they’re always on the go. In our journey through life we’re covering a lot of ground, resulting in wear and tear on the “vehicle.” That’s why we need to have a tune-up at regular intervals. So drive on in for the Master Mechanic’s fourteen point inspection.

EXTERNAL INSPECTION:

Lights – Are you living as children of light (cf. Ephesians 5:8). For “if we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” 1 John 1:6-7.

Tyres – Do you have the necessary traction to stay on the narrow road that leads to life? (cf. Matthew 7:14). Are you pumped up for Him or feeling flat?

Mirrors – Are you reflecting Christ? Are you aware of “blind spots” in your life? James 1:22-25 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it – he will be blessed in what he does.”

Wiper blades – When storms come can you keep going? How’s your vision? “Where there’s no vision the people perish” Proverbs 29:18 (KJV).

Exhaust system – Is your exhaust system working well? Is sin being confessed and thereby ejected from your life? Are you keeping short accounts with God? God’s Word reminds us that we’re not to harbour wicked thoughts, resentment, malice, anger, or bitter envy (cf. Deuteronomy 15:9; Job 36:13; Psalm 28:3; 103:9; James 3:14).

Shock absorbers – Are you rolling along smoothly for Him or are you bouncing all over the place? You’ll have a rough ride if your suspension isn’t set up properly but you’ll handle the potholes and bumps of life when there’s a balance of truth and Spirit (cf. John 4:24).

Body work – Are you keeping your “whole body in check” and learning to control it “in a way that is holy and honourable?” (cf. James 3:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:4). For your body “is a temple of the Holy Spirit” and you should “not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God . . . as instruments of righteousness.” (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:19; Romans 6:13).

INTERNAL INSPECTION:

Battery – Are you a starter? Are you passionate, enthusiastic, and charged up with the power of the Lord? Is every cell healthy and your level of commitment where it should be? (cf. Lamentations 3:40).

Air filter – Are you filtering out impurities, preventing the dirt of the world from entering your heart? (cf. Proverbs 4:23).

Spark plugs – Are you firing on all cylinders? Are you igniting the gift of God which is in you? (cf. 2 Timothy 1:6).

Oil – Oil is symbolic in God’s Word for the Holy Spirit. Is your reservoir full of Him? (cf. Ephesians 5:18). Is your life lubricated by Him? Are you anointed with the oil of joy? (cf. Psalm 45:7).

Brakes – When it’s time to stop do your brakes work? Do you know when to stop and consider God’s wonders? (cf. Job 37:14). Do you know how to stop doing wrong? (cf. Isaiah 1:16; John 5:14). Do you know how to stop grumbling among yourselves? (cf. John 6:43). Do you know how to stop trusting in man? (cf. Isaiah 2:22). Do you know how to stop judging by mere appearances, stop passing judgment, and stop putting obstacles in your brother’s way? (cf. John 7:24; Romans 14:13). And do you know how to stop thinking like children? (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:20).

Transmission – Are your gears working smoothly? Are you transmitting the love of God to others with actions and in truth? (cf. 1 John 3:18).

Motor – How are you running? Are you running in the power of the flesh or the power of the Spirit? Are you running aimlessly, just idling, or are you running at full revs, with His purpose and intent? (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:26).