Check Engine Light

Goodbyes were said…hugs were given.
My son was going back to college to begin his senior year.
The car was packed last night.
Guitars were placed in a prime location; snacks and food were easily accessible.

I tend to keep myself busy when one of my children leave.
I change sheets, dust their room, vacuum…anything to distract me a bit.
My youngest daughter came upstairs looking for her dad.
Our son was on the phone.

He was only in the next township; only about seven minutes away from home.
Dad, the check engine light came on…
He and my husband have been “talking cars” lately.
Our son wants to learn how to maintain his car.
A manual was purchased for his model and year.

In my heart of hearts I know God protected him today.
He was minutes from getting on the turnpike to go back to school.
My husband went to get him; they came back home to assess the problem.
They just left again with all of his things transferred to the minivan.
His car will go in the shop tomorrow.

The check engine light came on.
Can you imagine if we had our own indicator light that came on to report a problem?
The check engine light for our soul.

For my son’s car, there are a few possibilities as to why the light came on.
For our soul, there are two things to look for: believer or unbeliever.

Whenever there is car trouble, there are certain diagnostic tests that can be done.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could open the hood and check the state of our soul?

Spiritual Diagnostic Tests.
For the believer, it is a way to check your walk with God.
Do you need a tune up?

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength…Love your neighbor as yourself. (Mark 12:30,31)

Repent, then, and turn to God…(Acts 3:19)

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances…
(1 Thessalonians 5:16,17)

Spiritual Diagnostic Tests.
Unfortunately, the unbeliever may disregard the check engine light for their soul.
Do you need an overhaul?

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” (Psalm 14:1)

There is no one righteous, not even one, there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one…there is no fear of God before their eyes.
(Romans 3:10-12,18)

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires…the mind of the sinful man is death…the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. (Romans 8:5-8)

The engine light for the soul indicates an important factor.
Is the Holy Spirit present or is the Holy Spirit absent?

You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.
(Romans 8:9)

Believer or unbeliever.
Presence of the Holy Spirit or absence of the Holy Spirit.

Only the Master Mechanic, can see under the hood and view the state of our soul.
Only God can reset the indicator light when the Holy Spirit is present.
If left unchecked, the absence of the Holy Spirit will ultimately stop you.
Without the Holy Spirit, you will be left stranded on the side of the road.

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you, unless, of course, you fail the test? (2 Corinthians 13:5)

The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. (Romans 8:16)

Diagnostic tests.
As a believer, we may need a tune up.
The Holy Spirit is present, but our spiritual engine may be a little sluggish.

If the Holy Spirit is not present, the person is an unbeliever; an overhaul is needed.
Only God can complete the overhaul; reset the indicator light so the engine will run fine.

Tune up or overhaul?
Holy Spirit present or absent?
Indicator light on or off?

No one wants to be stranded on the side of the road.
Get moving again; maintain your spiritual engine as you journey.
Pay attention to the check engine light for your soul.

Test yourself.
Are you in the faith?