You, however, continue in the things you have learned and
become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from
childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the
wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All
Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for
correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be
adequate, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:14-17
My wife is a
compass person. Although the navigation
system displays all she needs to know about where she is headed, she still
wants to see a compass. Unfortunately,
her vehicle does not have one available without digging into the display.
Knowing the
direction you are headed has been a need of all travelers for centuries. Some
read the stars, some watched the sun and others relied on the moss on
trees. The invention of the compass had
to be a great asset for all travelers.
There are some things that are common to all magnetic
compasses.
- The purpose of a
compass is to show direction only.
- The compass needle
is attracted by magnetic lines that converge to create "magnetic
north." Therefore, a magnetic compass does not point to "true
north."
- Compass readings are
affected by the presence of iron and steel objects.
The magnetic
compass has been used for navigation for hundreds of years. At one time, it was
the only reliable means of direction-finding.
Today sophisticated equipment is available that is more accurate in
locating direction and bearings.
However, such equipment has not made the compass obsolete. It is still a very practical tool. Even airplanes and ships equipped with more
sophisticated equipment often carry compasses as backups.
We can draw
some spiritual lessons from the compass.
I would begin by having you see that God’s Word is the compass of our
lives. From it we derive our destination, direction and determination. Now is the time we must be setting the
compass to reach our destination.
Setting the Compass Gives Destination
The Bible
teaches us that man must make a decision in regard to his eternal
destination. Those who fail to set their
direction wander to their death. Setting
our compass to find the narrow way is vital to our finding heaven. Jesus said,
"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad
that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. "For
the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few
who find it. Matthew 7:13-14
That narrow
way is the cross of Jesus Christ which is the doorway to eternity. Sadly, too many ignore the call of God’s Word
to come to the cross for their salvation.
They wander aimlessly headed to destruction. God’s compass has only one “true north” and
that is Jesus.
Scripture
to Claim:
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one
comes to the Father but through Me. John
14:6
