Anyone who has ever worked retail knows that, periodically, inventory must be taken. What seems like ages ago, I worked at a retail pharmacy and there were certain medications of high commodity (if you know what I mean) for which we maintained a constant inventory.

Not only did we lock these drugs up in a safe, but we also knew exactly how many pills we had on hand at all times. Every time we dispensed a drug in this category, we logged the quantity dispensed in a book and placed our initials by the on-hand quantity remaining. If something came up missing, we were responsible and had to answer for the discrepancy.

Spiritual Inventory

A similar concept should be applied to our spiritual lives. Our relationship with God should be of very high commodity to us. We should treasure it and keep it safe. There is coming a day in which we will all stand before God and give an account of the lives we’ve lived out on this earth. [Matthew 12:36] Every one of us will be judged according to our deeds. [Revelation 20:13]

Everything will be brought into the light. Nothing will be hidden. [Luke 8:17]

We shouldn’t be surprised by the verdict. We should know exactly what will be said on that fateful day. Either “Well done, my good and faithful servant” or “I do not know you.” [Matthew 25:21; Matthew 25:12]

The truth is, I believe many will be surprised at what they will hear. Broad is the way that “leads to destruction and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it.” [Matthew 7:13-14] We can fool many people here on earth, but there’s no fooling God. He sees straight to the heart.

Over and over the word of God emphasizes a daily walk with Jesus. Once a week just isn’t going to cut it for us.

• “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” –Luke 9:23
• “Give us this day our daily bread.” –Matthew 6:11
• “They seek Me day by day, and delight to know My ways, as a nation that has done righteousness… They delight in the nearness of God.” –Isaiah 58:2

The Holy Spirit is our Security System

Do you know the enemy comes like a thief seeking to steal, kill, and destroy? [John 10:10] 2 Timothy 1:14 tells us to “guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.” If we could guard our soul so closely that we would catch Satan red-handed every time he comes sneaking at our door to steal from us, he would never get a foothold in our lives! If we would repent every time sin starts to creep in, we would bear much more fruit! Resist the devil and he will flee! [James 4:7]

And then, when God finds us faithful in these things, He will bless us with more. We will begin seeing our spiritual inventory – our giftings, the fruit of the Spirit, and the anointing of God – grow exponentially. [Matthew 25:29]

Sadly, I realize there are many who have not assessed their spiritual inventory in a while. Satan has been robbing you blind leaving you spiritually drained.

Comfortable at Lukewarm?

Close enough only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. We cannot go through life thinking, “Ah, I’m good enough to get to heaven,” or “I’ve lived close enough to the Lord.”

To that, God says, “Enough! Enough of your lukewarm living!” He says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me.” [Revelation 3:20]

Blessed Assurance, Salvation is Mine

God gives us assurance of our salvation. When all our sins are covered by the blood of Jesus, we can know we are saved!

“By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this, love is perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world.” –1 John 4:13-17

Let us now take an intricate look at ourselves…

• How is our relationship with God?
• Are we abiding in Him and He in us?
• Are we taking up our cross and dying to our sins daily?
• Are we partaking of the bread, the Holy Word of God, daily?
• Are we asking God daily to show us His ways so we can know Him more?

Inventory Ransomed, Redeemed, and Restored!

These answers can be very revealing, but should never be discouraging. We ALL sin and fall short of the glory of God. We ALL are in need of a Savior. The good news is Jesus Christ came and paid the ransom for ALL our stolen inventory and He will redeem that which was lost! The God of our salvation will restore us again! [Jeremiah 15:19] Today is the day of salvation! Let us return to Him today with ALL our heart!

“And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.” –1 John 2:28

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