Ricky Smith was in grade school when he noticed a dime lying beside the telephone. He picked it up and put in his pocket. Trouble is the telephone was in his next-door neighbor’s house and the dime didn’t belong to Ricky. He learned how easy it is to steal from others.
In high school, Ricky entered the science fair and two expensive electronic components were part of his exhibit. After the judging ended, he left his entry in the exhibit hall overnight. He went to collect his entry the next day and the two components were missing. Someone had stolen them. The theft made Ricky angry. Why did the Lord allow this happen in Ricky’s life?
Ricky was a new Christian, but he had not repented of stealing. Perhaps having the two components stolen from his exhibit was a lesson from the Holy Spirit to teach Ricky the pain of having something stolen from him? If so, he would need to recognize the warning, repent from stealing, and believe God’s promise to forgive. In doing so, Ricky would learn to be obedient to God’s commandments.
Do you think Ricky learned his lesson? If not, he would steal again—maybe in revenge, and pay the consequences of further judgment from the Lord. If he did learn his lesson, he would not steal again. He would change his mind and understand the pain it causes victims. He would claim the Lord’s promise to forgive and grow in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Discuss this story with your class and ask them to comment on the question of the Holy Spirit possibly warning Ricky. Ask if anyone would be willing to share a warning from the Holy Spirit experienced in their own life.
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2 comments:
I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.
Galatians 2:21
If you think I take it out from context, you can by all means read the whole book of Galatians from any version or even from original language.
Seems we are not preaching the Gospel that Paul preached
Shalom!
Hi Ann,
Thanks for the suggestion that Ricky would not suffer judgment. At least I think that's what you are talking about, but I'm not totally sure?
As a Christian, Ricky will undergo discipline (Heb 12:8).
What about the question asked in the post: Does the Holy Spirit warn us today thru the events that God orchestrates in our lives? If so what are the consequences of our response?
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