Good morning and welcome to everybody. Today, we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture, but before we do that, I wanted to tell you a little story.
Andrew and I have hauled a lot of scrap iron in the past 20 years, and one of the most useful tools that we have ever used is an invention that was created as far back as 1880. Originally it was created for blacksmiths to cut off the excess length of bolts after they had been tightened down. Henry K. Porter, a partner in the general machine shop of Porter and Wooster, located in Boston, Massachusetts, patented an improved, adjustable, “bolt cutter”. It had very long handles and short blades, with compound hinges to maximize leverage and cutting force. This tool has been used practically every day when we are working on scrap. We’ve used it for cutting bolts, wires, copper tubing, rebar, chains, and even a few padlocks that we couldn’t find the keys for.
This reminds me of the Christian Life.
God has given us a Spiritual tool to cut away the leg irons of sin in each of our lives. Like a bolt cutter, it is capable of setting us free from the thick chain of iniquity that we are enslaved to, but we must wholeheartedly believe it. The bolt cutter that he gives us, is the truth of His Holy Word.
John 8:31-36 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
True disciples of Christ, will continue in the teachings of Holy Scripture, which means to become obedient doors of His Word. It is only through obedience to the truth, that we can become transformed by the truth. To continue something means to proceed with doing a certain activity, to resume, to prolong or to abide. Some synonyms are to proceed with, to carry on, or to go on. The ultimate goal for a Christian, is becoming pleasing unto God. Sin and disobedience does not please Him, this is why we are going to need to undergo a change. Heaven is a perfect sinless place, and we must prepare for that place right now. If we really want to be freed from sin, we must place our faith in His truth; we must walk in His truth; and we must convert to the truth. It is believing in scriptural truth that truly sets us free from our sins. When you believe in God’s Word, it makes you recognize the error of your way. It helps us to see through the darkness of our own sinfulness, and lights the pathway to obedience and freedom. God’s Word can save our souls and cut away the chains of sin, but you need to become obedient to what it teaches with a meek and submissive heart.
James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
The proof of being a Christian, is to continue in God’s Word and its doctrines.
Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed
We must allow the truth of God’s Word to convert every aspect of our lives. We must allow it to work in our hearts, because if you never attempt to do what it says, you will never be transformed from anything.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
In order to be freed from our sins, we obviously must turn from our sins and repent. Only then can you be liberated from them, and become an overcomer of the sinful nature. If you don’t turn away from them, you simply continue to sin over and over again, which is evidence that you are still enslaved to them. As a born again Christian we are no longer to serve sin. We are to serve righteousness, through obedience to the truth.
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Romans 6:12, 16-18 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
Once again, the only way to be truly freed from our sinfulness, is to believe the truth of scripture enough, that it results in a change in the way that you live your life. The Lord Jesus taught that without conversion, people would not inherit eternal life. It is something that is required to get to Paradise. The Lord gives us a promise of eternal life, but in order to obtain that promise, we need to submit to the will of God.
Hebrews 4:1-2 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
To continue in God’s Word means to abide in biblical truth. Abide means to endure without yielding; to persevere, to accept without question and to submit to. In our relationship with God’s Holy Word, these qualities must be present in a person who professes Christianity, otherwise you won’t be able to turn away from the deeds of the carnal nature, to walk in the divine nature.
2 John 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
God’s love is bestowed upon those who turn away from sin in faithful obedience to His will and purpose. To remain in his love, requires believing in His Son Jesus, which will ultimately result in becoming obedient to what He commanded and taught. Without obedience, claiming to believe in Jesus is simply a fabrication. In that state, faith is non-existent.
John 15:9-10 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
The Son makes us free through the preaching of the truth, and our acceptance of what He taught. This is the only way that we can go through the process of sanctification.
John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
James 4:8 ……purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Those who rebelliously refuse to convert, and become faithfully obedient to God’s will are going to eventually receive God’s wrath.
Romans 2:8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
Remember that those who chose to live in sin, are a slave to the sinful nature. To obtain eternal life someday, we must turn from darkness to light. We must break free from our sins, and place our complete faith and trust in God’s Holy Word. Only then can we go on to become an overcomer of the carnal nature. We must cut the chains of sin, believe in the truth of scripture and repent. The time has come to reach into the tool chest, and dig out……
…….The Boltcutter
Let’s think about these things for right now. We can be found on your web browser by searching, tlkjbc where you can find our diaries distributed through various platforms. We are not associated, nor affiliated with any other religious groups. You can get our entire podcast feeds directly, along with transcripts at tlkjbc.com or I suppose that you could find us somewhere up here, in the Great Northern Minnesota woods. Peace to you all, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody.♥️
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