"Jumper Cables"

I'm sure all of us have put our key in the ignition only to hear the faint click and then silence...Frustrated we may pop the hood checking various wires and such before coming to the conclusion that our battery is quite dead! We as Christians all have "spiritual batteries" that we rely on for power. Just as a car draws its power from its battery, we Christians have a Spiritual battery that sometimes needs repair and regular maintenance.  Now the first sign that our battery was dead was the lack of power. Luke 10:19 says " Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." as well as Acts 1:8 which explains "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you..." This "power" comes from the Holy Spirit and all believers who confess Christ should hold this power.

Now when you buy a car brand new the battery is included. In other words it was not sold separately, thus in the spiritual realm this power is included in the new birth experience when we repent of our sins, bury them in baptism and receive this free gift of the Holy Ghost. However unless we continue our walk with Christ dying to self daily our "spiritual batteries" can begin to fade over time due to lack of relationship. But that's where we as fellow believers step in to help restore one another to the faith.

Lack of power is the first sign of a dead battery however to distinguish between a faulty starter or alternator malfunction a simple check of the lights is in order. If the light does not shine then you know it's a dead battery and lack of power. Matthew 5:14-16 14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

If our light is not shining were dealing with a dead battery! So now how do we fix the issue? Well most of us carry in our trunks a group of thick wires called Jumper Cables. These cables have clamps on the end and are usually colored red (positive) and black (negative). The process of jump starting a car is rather simple that most anyone can do. The first step is to attach the POSITIVE red clamps FIRST to the battery that has power, and then to the dead battery. This is significant because when dealing with a "spiritually dead" individual we often are quick to toss stones without addressing the positive in their situation.

Proverbs 10:12 "Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins."

Love is such an important aspect of discipline that's often overlooked.

Next comes the NEGATIVE black clamps that should be attached again FIRST to the battery that holds power and then to the dead battery. Addressing the negative in one's life is so important because Proverbs 27:5 states "Open rebuke is better than secret love." King David especially understood this vital concept when he wrote Psalm 141:5 (NLT)" Let the godly strike me! It will be a kindness! If they correct me, it is soothing medicine. Don't let me refuse it."

Notice how when we jump the dead battery we attach the NEGATIVE clamps to the battery with life FIRST. This is significant because it's important to try and remember that we were not always saved and there was a time we needed our "spiritual battery" renewed. Once all the cables are connected we start the car which then sparks power in the dead battery. It may take a moment to catch and hold a charge however once new life is passed over the cables can be removed and your job is complete. But how about the battery that will not start or hold a charge? Well then a Tow truck is in order...

 I like to think that the word TOW truck stands for Taking On Work. Not everyone is equipped to be a Tow truck because it takes a special type of Diesel engine to hitch onto another vehicle and LIFT it up and drag it behind them. Tow trucks are built for the long haul but are not designed to carry the vehicle with the dead battery forever. No they are designed to carry you far enough to your destination for proper maintenance from the mechanic which in this case is CHRIST. Galatians 6:1-2 " 1Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Bottom line it's our duty to diagnose a dead battery and have the tools (jumper cables) handy to perform on the spot repairs. So let's be our brothers keeper in these evil last days and encourage one another to maintain POWER in our "Spiritual Batteries" *Grace & Peace

~SM Souljah