When I wrote this, I had just read what I usually dismiss as “junk mail.” It was from a natural gas competitor to the company I’ve used for years. Normally I throw such advertisements away, but this one caught my attention. I realized I had no idea what I was paying per therm. I pulled out my last bill and thought I must have misread it, so I called my gas company to check.

I was shocked. Because our contract had expired long ago, we had been automatically switched to a monthly rate that was almost double the locked-in contract rate. I had been paying hundreds of dollars more than necessary simply because I never took the time to sign a new fixed-rate contract.

As I thought about it, I realized it was my fault—not the gas company’s. Notices had almost certainly gone out. The option to lock in a better rate had always been available. I simply paid little attention and eventually forgot. I paid a high price for failing to understand how the system worked.

I have since taken a little time to learn the details and locked in a 24-month contract at roughly half the rate I had been paying.

Although God’s Word is not “junk mail,” it often lies on tables, bookshelves, and cabinets untouched and forgotten by many, as if it were.

As someone who once neglected Scripture but now studies it, I see clear similarities between my gas-bill experience and the way many of us treat the Word of God. We set it aside instead of opening it.

Through God’s Word we can know:

  • His love and desires for our well-being
  • His creative work, past plans, and future purposes
  • That nothing He does is accidental—everything is part of a plan to offer eternal life to those who accept His terms
  • The Son of God, who was with the Father in the beginning and shared in creation
  • That Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection make eternal life available to all through God’s grace
  • What obedient faith looks like and how to receive that grace
  • How to discern true teaching from false teaching

The list is endless. Yet if we never take the time to learn what God has actually said, we will miss the offer—just as I missed the lower gas rate.

It is never too late for anyone still on this earth to begin studying and responding to God’s invitation. His offer of eternal life is unmatched, and it is not as complicated as many assume. Spend time in the one book that leads to life with Him. As you do, you will want to act on what you discover.

Whose fault will it be if you ignore God’s offer by failing to learn what He requires?

Hear the gospel.
Believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
Repent of your sins.
Confess Jesus as Lord.
Be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Live faithfully until you leave this earth for eternal life with God and His people.

Supporting Scriptures

Grace: Ephesians 2:8; Romans 3:24; Titus 2:11; Acts 15:11
Hearing the Gospel: Romans 10:17; John 8:32
Belief/Faith: Hebrews 11:1; John 8:24; Romans 10:17; Acts 3:19; Matthew 16:16
Repentance: 2 Corinthians 7:9-10; Luke 13:3-5; Acts 17:30
Confession: Romans 10:9-10; Matthew 10:32-33; Luke 12:8-9; Matthew 16:16
Baptism (for the forgiveness of sins): 1 Peter 3:21; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; John 3:5; Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:5; Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8:36-39; Mark 1:9-10; John 3:23; Acts 22:16
Live Faithfully: Revelation 2:10; Philippians 2:12
Study and Act: 2 Timothy 2:15; James 1:22; Acts 17:11

God First!