Good morning and welcome in 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.
Somewhere directly above the Earth’s Northern Pole, is a star that remains in a fixed position in the night sky. It is above the Earth’s axis of rotation and as the world slowly turns, it remains in practically the same place each year. It has been called the pole star, or more commonly known as Polaris or the North Star. Because of its unchanging position, sailors have used the star since ancient days to guide them on their way back home. They would measure the angle between the northern horizon and the star to accurately determine the ship’s latitude.
This reminds me of the Christian Life.
In order for ancient mariners to navigate through dark seas, all they needed to do was to look up. High above them was a bright star that had already been provided to show them the way. Likewise, in order for us to find our way home to heaven, we must look up. God has provided us with a bright light to follow, His only begotten Son Jesus Christ, who was sent to guide us, to lead us, and to show us the way home.
John 12:46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
When we become a Christian, our lives must make a course correction. For many years we have traveled the same route as the rest of the world, but now we must set our sights on Christ and tack in a different direction. We must set our compass on Him and follow the path He wants us to take. The Christian life is about departing from the darkness of sin. This is done through conversion and transformation to God’s truth. Like a ship traveling through dark seas, surrounded by rocks and dangers, God wants to safely guide us through them, but it requires following his directions. The scriptures are a Spiritual handbook to heaven, and a pathway from sin to righteousness. Jesus is the living Word of God made flesh, and we must follow the light of His Truth, allowing His Word to guide us out of darkness, and into his glorious light.
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
God sent Jesus to turn us away from sin.
Acts 3:26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.
Jesus sent His Apostles and disciples to turn people away from their sins.
Acts 26:16-20 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
It’s clear that all of us have sinned and come short of the glory of God. All of us have been on the wide road that leads to destruction. All of us are like sheep that have gone astray, but now it is high time to reset the sails. We must turn away from sin to the truth, and begin to walk in the light.
Ephesians 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
Romans 6:1-2 What shall we say, then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
In order to overcome sin, we must turn from sin. In order to defeat the carnal nature, we must turn from the carnal nature. True liberty is departing from iniquity and sinning no more.
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.
The wages of sin is death, so in order to inherit eternal life, we must turn away from them and walk in the truth.
John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
I think most of us would conclude that in order to see where we are going at night, we need a bright light to find our way. A lighthouse is a fixed point of light which can prevent ships from crashing upon the rocks. A car is equipped with headlights to guide us down the highway at night. An oil lamp was set on a windowsill to help the family find their way back home in the dark. Jesus is our light that we must follow in order to reach eternal Paradise.
Psalms 43:3 O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
The Lord guides us through the teachings of Holy Scripture. His Word is a map that keeps our feet firmly planted on the pathway to eternal life. But just like any other map, you need to follow the directions if you truly want to get where you’re going.
Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
It is by following biblical truth that will result in becoming transformed from sinners into saints, from disobedience to obedience, and from ungodliness to holiness. It is the map of God’s Word that guides us past the rocks and the pitfalls of sin. God’s Word plots out the direction for a Christian. It reveals the course that we must follow, but the application of what it teaches is imperative, to get where we want to go. It means we must follow His will rather than our own. When we are exposed to the light of God’s truth, it shines upon the darkness so we can find our way.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me
May the light of God’s Word guide each of our steps every single day. When we need to find our way, when we need to get our bearings, like spiritual mariners,..all we need to do is….
……Look Up.
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, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody. ❤️
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