A businessman purchased a sophisticated smartphone. He used it for two days and then left it at home and went on a long overseas trip. After he came back, the phone did not work. Enraged, he went to the service centre and shouted at them. The young assistant, picking up the phone, looked at it and said, “Sir, you have not installed the updates. It will work only when you update regularly.” He wondered why he should update to a new phone? However, for the productive functioning of such gadgets, software updates are sent at regular intervals or whenever required. Failing to install them will make the phone useless.
Updating and upgrading: Phones should be updated and sometimes upgraded by abandoning a model and buying a better model. It is an ever-updating world. Many Christians fail to update spiritually.
Updating wisdom: God bestowed upon King Solomon the wisdom. (I Kings 3:12-13) However, Solomon had to update his wisdom by praying, consecrating his mind, delighting in His Law, meditating on God’s attributes, and obeying God’s Word. (Psalm 1:1-3) Sadly, he failed to do so. Hence, he excelled in wisdom by world standards by writing philosophy, proverbs, songs, scientific treatise…etc., but did not write a commentary on the Mosaic Law.
Updating Obedience: Saul was humble when he was first appointed as the king of Israel. Later, he becomes a people pleaser rather than a God pleaser. When God commanded him to destroy the Amalekites and devote all that belonged to them for destruction, he spared the fat sheep on the advice of the people. He bluffed to Samuel, saying that the sheep were spared for sacrifice. His partial obedience cost him the kingship. (II Samuel 15:1-3; 26)
Updating love: The Church in Laodicea became lukewarm, and the Church in Ephesus lost the first love. (Revelation 3:15-16; 2:4) Believers have to update their love for the Lord. Love responds to love.
Updating faith: Only Joshua and Caleb had an updated faith, while the ten other spies had neither faith in God nor His Promises. (Numbers 14:30)
Do I update spiritually and remain productive for His Kingdom?