The Inspector

About midway through my career I worked as a machinist inspector. My primary job was to assure that machining operations conformed to the specifications. After a part or vehicle was machined with new surfaces or holes I would measure the dimensions and compare those measurements to the technical drawings. If the dimensions didn’t match the ones on the drawing then I had to reject the work. A lot of the time my friends had worked very hard on the job and it was very difficult to tell them they would have to do it all over again. Needless to say there were times they weren’t very happy with me but I had a job to do and had no choice but to hang that “red tag” on their work.

As a minister of the gospel of Christ I have the responsibility of teaching and preaching according to the standards laid out in the inspired word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). I have an obligation to study and learn those standards so I can convey them to you in a way that is truthful and easy to understand. Just as with inspecting my friends work on the job there are times that I have to preach about things I know some of my church family members struggle with and it’s difficult for me to do. But just as the worker has to correct his mistakes, you and I must do our best to correct those things in our lives that go against God’s standards.

James 5:19,20

Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

Jay Launius 2020 Maud church of Christ Maud, Texas