DIY - Do It Yourself
DIY is an acronym for doing something yourself as opposed to paying contractors
and mechanics to do the work you want done. For years people hired carpenters,
bricklayers, tile-setters, plumbers and all other crafts to do the jobs of repair
and home improvement that they needed.
With the economy getting tight, and not much extra money available, rather than
pay a huge labor bill, many people are learning how to do their projects on
their own. There is even a cable network channel with all kinds of projects
being shown.
The introduction of the large home-improvement stores helped people realize
that they could do the work that professionals do themselves. Many of these
stores would have classes on the various projects. And with the proper instruction
or guide, people found they could do these projects, saving the cost of paying
a professional. The stores profited because the people would by the products
from them, and usually bought the instructional books or videos as well.
Some people do this out of necessity. I once had a water pump go out on my car,
and I really could not pay the mechanic to fix the car. So I went to the library
and got a book about auto repair, and I did the job myself. Despite the fact
that I had a few bolts left over, the car ran as it was supposed to do. I was
very proud of myself, because I had not received any formal training in auto
repair. I bragged about fixing the car myself for weeks. I am sure we all have
boasted about something we did ourselves.
Yet, while we are proud of our accomplishments, we also will accept unquality
workmanship from time to time. As long as the project looks good by our standards,
we will brag that we did it ourselves.
We probably would not accept unquality work from a contractor. However, we tell
ourselves that we are not a mechanic, carpenter, bricklayer and it becomes okay
that maybe the wall is crooked, or something in the engine makes a noise.
With the right instruction and guidelines, just about anybody can do a project
if they want to. There is the key. They must want to do it. They must be willing
to work at it, and they hope to finish the project in such a way as they will
receive compliments for their work.
This idea of doing it yourself has drifted into our spiritual lives. We do these
projects on our own, and learn to rely upon ourselves, rather than accept help
from others. Many people consider that they can control their own spiritual
destiny on their own with no help from others, including God.
The book of Ecclesiastes teaches that mans labors are good, but to try them
without God's assistance is vanity. Too many people have given God a mandate
to stay out of their lives. But they expect God to welcome them into heaven
when their lives are over. That won't work.
Paul wrote to the Philippians to "work out your own salvation with meekness
and fear" (Philippians 2:12).
In a way, our salvation is a do it yourself project. And just like the projects
we learn about at the home improvement stores, we learn about salvation from
a guide and sometimes a live demonstration. The Bible is the guide with all
of the instructions necessary to help us get our salvation. Like the video's,
we can watch faithful Christians in their lives, and learn patterns that will
help us live our lives faithful to God.
Paul gave instructions in Titus (2:1-8) that all Christians had a responsibility
to teach those younger and less experienced. The seasoned Christian is to help
the novice. Men and women were to teach younger men and women their respective
responsibilities not only in this life, but in their spiritual life as well.
Sadly, many people take this do it yourself attitude without using guides or
instructions. People think they are spiritual without following the guidelines
of the Bible. Of course, trying to live without God is vanity.
All the Bible (scriptures) is inspired of God (2 Timothy 3:16). That means that
God gave the writers everything in it. It is all sufficient. It is complete.
It has everything we need concerning eternal life and salvation. It is the law
of God for us to follow and do. We do this ourselves, but when we follow God's
instructions and live according to His precepts, we are working salvation unto
ourselves. We can not do this on our own without God. That will not work.
Learn what the Bible teaches you concerning salvation. Do not trust yourself,
but trust in God, and follow His guidelines. That way, you can be assured of
your salvation. Seek the Lord with your whole heart, and live in reverential
fear before God, and keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13) because this
is your duty. On judgment day, when we stand before God, we will answer whether
we did it ourselves, or if we did it God's way.
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto
thine own understanding, In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make
your paths straight"
Serve the Lord and it will go well with you. Keep His commandments, and live
by them. Obey the voice of the Lord, and you will see heaven in its glory.
By Carey Scott 5/25/2011
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