Stop, Look, and Listen

Check Engine light means to stop, look and listen to signals that determine where you will end up. God has a plan for your life and the devil has a plan for your life. Be aware of the trajectory of your life by identifying characteristics of quadrants to heed warning signals. For example, In Romans 6 there are indicator lights, like “check engine light” warning signals to stop to clarify further and indicate choices, direction, and trajectory on a graph,

• Quadrant I is where you want to be, the “sweet spot” of growth, surrendered to God’s will, led moment-by-moment, by His Holy Spirit living and working in and through you to glorify God.
• Quadrant II is traversing into antinomianism where “anything goes.”
• Quadrant III is the devil’s plan, opposite of Quadrant I, leading to divisive, deceptive, and destructive lifestyles.
• Quadrant IV is a rigid, rules-based only life of self-made satisfaction. Then draw a picture of the graph showing these characteristics with words identifying direction.

God has a plan for your life, and it is one that leads you to a life of purpose, meaning, and fulfillment. As Romans 6:13 reminds us, we have a choice to make regarding who we serve:

“Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.”

When we choose to follow God’s plan, we are committing to a life of righteousness and service to others, which leads us to Quadrant I, where we are living a life that is aligned with our values and beliefs.

On the other hand, the devil also has a plan for your life, and it is one that leads you away from God and towards a life of sin and destruction. As Romans 6:23 warns us,

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

When we choose to follow the devil’s plan, we are committing to a life of sin and disobedience, which leads us to Quadrant III, where we are living a life that is in opposition to God’s values and beliefs — the devil’s plan of greatest evil, indwelling of demon influence.

However, it is important to note that there is also a danger in traversing into antinomianism, where we reject all rules and guidelines in favor of total freedom. As Romans 6:1–2 cautions us,

“What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?”

When we reject all rules and guidelines, we risk losing our way and ending up in Quadrant II, where we are wandering aimlessly without a clear sense of purpose or direction.

Finally, there is also the danger of becoming too rigid and rules-based, which can lead us to Quadrant IV, where we are living a life that is devoid of joy and freedom. As Romans 6:14 reminds us,

“For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”

When we become too focused on rules and regulations, we risk losing sight of the bigger picture and missing out on the fullness of life that God intends for us.

Next, we continue the concepts by comparing and contrasting how the warning lights on a car dashboard help to make decisions about direction, speed, stopping, starting, fuel, and other issues for arriving at a final destination of Romans 8 to become like Jesus Christ after saving faith while on earth.

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you[b] free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Just like how God has a plan for our lives and the devil has a plan for our lives, the warning lights on a car dashboard can also help us make decisions about the direction we are headed in life. Just as the warning lights indicate potential problems with the car, Quadrant II can act as a warning sign that we are on a dangerous path towards antinomianism. When we see the warning lights on our dashboard, we know that we need to take action to prevent any potential damage to our car, just as we need to take action when we see warning signs in our lives that we are headed down a destructive path.

Quadrant II “looks so good, feels so good” and is like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, shouting half-truths (+,-).

The fuel gauge on a car dashboard also serves as a useful reminder to stay on track with our goals and plans. Just as we need fuel to keep our car running, we need to stay focused and motivated in order to achieve our goals and fulfill God’s plan for our lives. When we see that our fuel levels are running low, it is a signal that we need to take action to refuel and replenish our energy and motivation, just as we need to take time to rest and recharge in our personal lives.

Quadrant I increases our awareness with reality checks of Truth (+,+).

The speedometer on a car dashboard is also a useful tool for understanding our trajectory in life. When we are driving too fast, we risk losing control of the car and putting ourselves and others in danger. Similarly, when we are moving too quickly in life and not taking time to reflect and make intentional choices, we risk losing sight of our values and goals. On the other hand, when we are moving too slowly, we risk missing out on opportunities and failing to reach our full potential.

The warning lights on a car dashboard also remind us of the importance of taking care of our physical and emotional well-being. Just as we need to maintain our car’s oil levels and other fluids to prevent damage, we need to take care of ourselves in order to prevent burnout and other health problems. When we see warning lights on our dashboard indicating that something is wrong, we know that we need to take action to address the problem and prevent further damage.

In summary, the warning lights on a car dashboard can serve as a helpful analogy for understanding the choices we make in life. By paying attention to warning signs, staying focused and motivated, maintaining an appropriate speed, and taking care of ourselves, we can stay on track and fulfill God’s plan for our lives while avoiding the devil’s destructive plan.

My body my vehicle

Since our bodies are the vehicle, the ignition is the starter of the fire for the spark plugs and battery to start the car and keep it running. Comparing the fire from the altar that consumed the sacrifice in the time before Christ Jesus, we are a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1–2), led by the filling of God’s Holy Spirit.

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice — the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

The comparison between our bodies as the vehicle and the ignition as the starter for the car’s engine is an interesting analogy. Just as the ignition starts the engine, our bodies are the starting point for our spiritual journey. The Holy Spirit, like the spark plugs and battery, ignites the fire within us to keep us running on our journey.

In the time before Christ Jesus, the fire from the altar consumed the sacrifice, but now we are called to be living sacrifices. As believers in Christ, we are led by the filling of God’s Holy Spirit. Through His Spirit, we are set free from the law of sin and death, and we are no longer condemned. The Spirit of life has set us free in Christ Jesus to fulfill the righteous requirements of the law.

Those who live according to the flesh are focused on the things of the flesh, and this can lead to death. However, those who live according to the Spirit are focused on the things of the Spirit, which brings life and peace (Romans 8:6). When we set our minds on the things of the Spirit, we are not hostile to God, but rather we submit to His law.

It is important to note that we cannot please God if we are in the flesh. We must be in the Spirit to be pleasing to God. The Spirit of God must dwell in us, and if He (the Person of the Holy Spirit) does, then we reflect Christ. Although our bodies may be dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in us, and He will give life to our mortal bodies. This is the “normal” Christian way of life! Love of God motivates surrender because He first loved us. We become a new creation, putting off the old and putting on the new.

We actually can become the person that He created us to be — more like the image of His Son (Romans 8:29).

Yes, that is correct. Romans 8:29 states,

“For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.”

This verse tells us that God’s ultimate plan for our lives is to conform us to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.

God wants us to become more like Jesus in our character, attitudes, and actions. This is a lifelong process that starts with our salvation and continues as we grow in our relationship with Him. That’s the definition of positional sanctification. As we study God’s Word (the map for knowing the direction to take), pray (asking for clarity for ourselves and for the needs of others), and obey His commands (making U-turns when we need to confess and repent), we become more like Christ.

Becoming more like Jesus means that we will have the same love, compassion, and selflessness that He demonstrated during His time on earth. It also means that we will develop the same godly character traits such as kindness, patience, and humility.

This process of becoming more like Jesus is not always easy, and it requires us to surrender our own will to God’s will. However, as we yield to His plan for our lives, we will experience greater joy, peace, and fulfillment than we ever thought possible. Ultimately, becoming more like Jesus is not just for our benefit, but it also brings glory to God. As we reflect the character of Christ, we point others to Him and His saving grace.

But we have a choice. Romans 6:16–19 clarifies that and emphasizes the importance of our choices in the process of becoming more like Christ. The passage states,

“Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.”

These verses remind us that we have a choice in the matter — we can either obey sin or obedience to God. When we choose to obey sin, we become its slave, leading to death. However, when we choose to obey God, we become slaves to righteousness, which leads to eternal life.

Our choice to obey God is not just a one-time decision, but rather an ongoing process of surrendering our will to His. As we continue to choose obedience to God, we become more like Christ and experience the abundant life that He promised (John 10:10).

Therefore, while God has a plan for our lives to become more like Christ, our choices play a crucial role in that process. We must choose daily to obey God and follow His ways, rather than our own sinful desires. As we do so, we will continue to grow in our faith and become more like Christ, fulfilling God’s ultimate plan for our lives.

Salvation, Sanctification, Glorification

In other words, there are 3 parts to being a follower of Christ: salvation, sancification (while on earth), and glorification (after death).

Yes, that is correct. Being a follower of Christ involves three essential components: salvation, sanctification, and glorification.

Salvation is the first step in becoming a follower of Christ. It is the moment when we acknowledge our need for a savior and place our faith in Jesus Christ as the only way to be saved from sin and death (John 3:16). Through salvation, we are forgiven of our sins and reconciled to God, becoming children of God and receiving the gift of eternal life (Ephesians 2:8–9).

Sanctification is the ongoing process of becoming more like Christ while we are still living on earth. It involves the transformation of our hearts and minds as we submit to God and allow His Holy Spirit to work in us, conforming us to the image of Christ (Romans 12:1–2). This process requires our active participation, as we must make daily choices to obey God’s will and resist sin.

Glorification is the ultimate goal of every believer. It is the moment when we are fully transformed into the image of Christ and receive our glorified bodies (1 Corinthians 15:42–44). Glorification occurs after death or at the return of Christ, and it is the culmination of our salvation and sanctification.

Together, these three components make up the journey of a follower of Christ. While salvation is a one-time event, sanctification and glorification are ongoing processes that continue throughout our lives. As we allow God to work in us and submit to His will, we can become more like Christ and look forward to the ultimate reward of spending eternity with Him in heaven.

The question then becomes, “How are we led by the Holy Spirit between salvation and glorification?”

Being led by the Holy Spirit between salvation and glorification involves submitting to God’s will and allowing Him to guide our thoughts, actions, and decisions. Here are a few ways in which we can be led by the Holy Spirit:

1. Through prayer: Prayer is a vital component of the Christian life, and it is through prayer that we can communicate with God and seek His guidance. This is our personal GPS (God Postioning System). As we spend time in prayer, we can ask the Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts and show us the path we should take.
2. Through reading the Bible: The Bible is the Word of God, and it contains everything we need to know to live a life that honors Him. As we read the Bible and meditate on its teachings, the Holy Spirit can use it to guide us and help us make wise decisions.
3. Through fellowship with other believers: We were not meant to live the Christian life alone. Fellowship with other believers can provide us with support, encouragement, and accountability. As we interact with other believers, we can learn from their experiences and be encouraged by their faith.
4. Through obedience: One of the primary ways in which we can be led by the Holy Spirit is through obedience. As we submit to God’s will and obey His commands, the Holy Spirit can work in us to transform our hearts and minds.

Ultimately, being led by the Holy Spirit requires a willingness to submit to God and a desire to follow His will. As we seek His guidance and trust in Him, He can lead us on the path to becoming more like Christ and fulfilling His plan for our lives.

In conclusion, just as the ignition is the starter for a car’s engine, our bodies are the starting point for our spiritual journey. Through the filling of God’s Holy Spirit, we are set free from the law of sin and death, and we can live according to the Spirit to please God. The Spirit gives life to our mortal bodies, and we can trust in Him to lead us on our journey.

Note: This was created in part with specific prompts on ChatGPT.