We have in our house a very small device that hangs on the wall in what we call our living room, with it, once we have shut the windows, we can control the temperature inside of our house. We also have a room that is specifically set aside for our toiletry needs, we have a basin from which water flows freely, again, at nearly any temperature we desire, and a receptacle for the disposal of bodily waste, and a small area that water flows into to remove the grit and grime of the day. All of these services and more are available to us at any time of the day or night, it is a small structures that not only provides these luxuries, but is also quite adequate against the weather.
Of course, the running water, the lights and many of the other items are not self-contained within this structure, there are outside sources that must be enabled before these items can function properly, and if we refuse to render payment for these services, we will not receive them. Thus it is in the life of the born-again believer, we have at our disposal, to be used in whatever way we see fit to glorify God, the entirety of the kingdom of the Most High, they are not handed out in increments, the moment you were saved by His grace you were given the keys to the kingdom, everything that God has is at your disposal. What we must determine is this, if the water stops flowing, is it because of a broken pipe or has the water been shut off.
The sins we willingly commit in our lives do not just remove our ability to access the Lord, He takes the keys away, no more power, no more gifts, no nothing, until we repent, it will remain thus, and repent my friends does not mean just saying you are sorry, it means a complete and total turning away from that willful disobedience, when it rears its ugly head again, when you are tempted the next time, you pray for strength, you pray for Him to show you the way out, (1 Cor. 10:13) and you take it.
Far too many believers do not understand these concepts, they believe they have been given a set of keys, that if one does not work, well then perhaps one of the other ones will. No my friends, if you do not pay your electric bill, you will be sitting in the dark, you will be freezing if it is winter. Every day, not every once in a while, we must be either in the Word of God whenever possible, or at least contemplating the Scriptures that we have hidden in our hearts, if not, we will not only end up with broken pipes, but the water will be shut off. And it must not become a rote recital, it cannot become just a routine as some religious organizations proclaim, God does not hear them for their much speaking. (Matt. 6:7) It must be a matter of the heart, mind, and soul, and it must be accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit.
No different than the place that you live in, we are not self-sufficient, our power is not our own, we are enabled only by the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish the will of God, we are useless unless we abide in the vine. (John 15:4) You will not have running water, electricity, or heat in your louse unless you pay the utility bills, and you will never know the power of Christ in your life unless you pay your rightful duty.
Humility gives honor to God, studying to show ourselves approved (2 Tim. 2:15) is what keeps us in the will of God, desiring above all else to be more like Christ is what keeps the water on. You knew this when you first came to Christ, when you gave your life to Him, do not be remiss in your duties now that you have been in His presence for so long, do not start to take for granted the work He has set before you, seek for even more. “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” (Rev. 3:11) In this, even if He decides to shut the water and heat off to your house, even if He decides to take your house and leave you with nothing more than the clothes on your back, you will still have Him, you will still lift up His most Holy name. He sent your Lord to a cross and He did so, you do the same.
