Recently, I downloaded ios 8.0 on my iPad 2. Hated it! The new software seemed to drag my iPad through the mud and slow everything down. So, I got the brilliant idea to downgrade my software and return it to ios 7.1.2. I read several posts on the internet and all of the sudden, in a flash, I convinced myself I was smart enough and tech-savvy enough to pull it off.
Fast forward 24 hours.
iPad still not working. Will not activate.
Read more posts.
Due to my activity probably looking something like an attempted jailbreak, can’t activate iPad now. What have I done?
So, decide that I need to consult iPad heaven, a.k.a., Apple Support. With every click of the button, I was assured that they would be glad to help. And then…$19. What? I was informed that though I owned an apple produce, I had not purchased some package that would have given me free technical support. So after all of this time, when I finally need help, I realize that though I own an iPad, I am not really in the club. I do not really have access. I am not a part of the family.
I’m only Apple’s stepchild.
I am glad God is not like that. The Bible is pretty clear, you are either in the family or not. You have either accepted Christ or you haven’t. If you have not, you have absolutely no access and no privileges. But if you have, you have COMPLETE access and TOTAL privilege. In other words, there is no third category: you have Jesus, but are still restricted and must purchase something else if you want all of the benefits.
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence/boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
“…for God does not give the Spirit by measure.” John 3:34
“Trust in the Lord at all times, you people. Pour out your heart before him, God is a refuge for us.” (Psalms 62:8)
“Cast your cares upon the Lord, for he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
I could continue this list ad infinitum, but you get the point. If you have invited Jesus Christ into your life to forgive all of your sins and be your Lord, then there is nothing more you need to do in order to enjoy complete, absolutely access and privilege. You are royalty, the King’s son/daughter. Insecurity is not becoming of a child of God. There is no additional fee you must pay to move up on God’s ladder of priority. There are no add-on packages.
In other words, you are not going to click around and in a few months or years figure out that you are lacking something in the Kingdom that is going to require another $19 (and oh, by the way, this was just the fee for a one-time incident fee). You are in. You are secure. So move along. Go forward. Quit living for yourself. God’s Kingdom is different than Apple’s Kingdom. Through Christ, all has been opened to you. All is available to you. You are either in or out. And if you are in, this family verse applies to you: “Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it” (Psalms 81:10). Eat and drink what you need. Then, once you have received, do not sit and grow fat. Give it away.
P.S. Thanks to more internet posts, I finally figured out how to at least get my iPad working again with the regrettable ios 8. But, ios 8 is better than my iPad not working at all. Right?
BJ Condrey, Ph.D. 
This is a good way to look at it!! Enjoyed this short story. It’s nice that we can apply God into our everyday lives
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