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.
Has there ever been a time in your life when somebody tried to coax you to join up with them in an activity that you knew was inherently wrong? Maybe when you were in school some of your classmates asked you to come and help them as they stole possessions from people’s lockers. Many times people will join together in a group to rob a bank, but even though you only drove the car it makes you just as guilty as the rest of them. If you’re going to join up with others who are doing something wrong, then obviously you are going to get punished along with them.
This reminds me of the Christian Life.
There are sins that are committed in the world each and every day, but those who are followers of Christ Jesus are supposed to steer clear of those participating in them. It comes down to a simple choice of picking right over wrong. If you make the wrong choice and get involved with them, you turn yourself into an accomplice.
Ephesians 5:7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
Partake means to participate in something with others, or join them in some type of activity. Although each of us have sinned and come short of the glory of God, once you become a Christian we are not supposed to get involved with others who are continuing to live the way that you used to in your past. Poor associations can corrupt good morals.
1 Peter 4:3-5 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
We are supposed to turn from sin and surround ourselves with people who have a great desire to serve and please God. We must separate ourselves from those who are rebellious and disobedient, purging ourselves from the vessels of dishonor.
2 Timothy 2:19-22 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
If we truly want to become a child of God we must be capable of separating ourselves from those who impenitently choose to live in sin.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Revelation 18:4 – And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
When people try to tempt you to get involved doing something sinful with them, you must walk a different path.
Proverbs 4:14-15 – Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
Proverbs 1:10-16 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:
Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
What kind of people do you hang out with each day? Who are your companions?
Proverbs 13:20 – He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
We are not supposed to fellowship with wicked works.
Ephesians 5:11 – And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
We are commanded to separate ourselves from those who don’t walk in the teachings and traditions found in Holy Scripture.
2 Thessalonians 3:6 – Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
Romans 16:17 – Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Psalms 26:4-5 – I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.
The Apostle warned Timothy not to get involved with the sins of other men.
1 Timothy 5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.
When you become a Christian you must surround yourself with people who have a fervent desire to please God and to do His will. You must join together with those who want to be a beacon of light, rather than those who choose to walk in the darkness of sin. Our love for Christ and His truth must be greater than any of the old relationships that we have had in the past. When they continue to walk on the wide road of sin, we must choose the narrow path of Christ. You will have to make the choice of right over wrong. You will have to pick who your close companions are going to be. You will have to make the choice to turn away from those who are involved with sin, making sure that you are never named among them as……
……The Accomplice.
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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