Baby Steps

Good morning and welcome in everybody.  Today, we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture from Hebrews 6.

Hebrews 6:1  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

When we are submerged in the waters of baptism, we rise up out of the water to begin a new life of service and obedience to Christ. At that moment God forgives us of our past, saving us from the punishment for the sins that we have committed. From that day forth, we begin a new life, taking our very first baby steps as we begin our walk in the Christian Life. But as I have always taught, salvation is much more than just being baptized, just as walking requires more than just one step.  A walk is numerous steps that are put together, like notes that create a symphony.  Baptism is only the beginning of the race, not the finish line. Baptism opens up the door of opportunity to repent, turn from sin, and serve the will of God.  Some people think that the Christian Life is like stepping into their canoe, untying it from the dock, and that somehow, you are immediately transported to the other side.  But to get across the lake is going to require some paddling on your part, just as Christianity requires walking each day in the will of God. Some people possess a worldly form of lackadaisical Christianity, where they want to believe that they will be in heaven, but they openly refuse to walk according to God’s purpose.  Although we are saved through baptism, we must go on unto perfection to obtain eternal life.  We must mortify the sinful deeds of our flesh, and become pleasing unto God.  Remember that God was not well pleased with many of the Israelites in the wilderness. He mercifully saved them from bondage in Egypt, and from the hand of Pharaoh’s armies.  But even though He performed so many miracles among them, some of them never developed an obedient and loving heart for God, and eventually had to be destroyed.

Jude 1:5  I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

1 Corinthians 10:1-6  Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;  And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;  And did all eat the same spiritual meat;  And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.  But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.  Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

1 Corinthians 10:8  Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

We are saved through the waters of baptism, but to eventually obtain eternal life we must become converted, depart from sin and embrace the new direction that God is taking us. Our faith must become activated through works of obedience towards Him, through humble submission to His will.

James 1:21-22  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Walking in the faith goes a step further than simply attaining knowledge. Knowledge by itself cannot save us unless we put it into action and apply what we have learned in our daily lives. If someone possesses genuine faith, there will be outward evidence of their inward belief. Abraham’s Faith was made perfect through His obedience.

James 2:17-26  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?  Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?  Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.  Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.  Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

But just as a baby learns to walk, Christians need to move on unto maturity.  We must grow into faithful and obedient children, having a great desire to please God. Jesus is God’s perfect Son, set forth as an example to all of us how to live our lives. 

Matthew 3:17  And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Getting baptized into the name of Jesus Christ is only the first step in a new direction. It is only the beginning of the Christian Life, not the end.  Our salvation requires learning to walk each day, submitting to the teachings of our faith so that we can go on unto perfection and become pleasing unto God. To do this requires faith.

Hebrews 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Remember that God is no respecter of persons.  It doesn’t matter if you profess to be a Christian or not.  If people willfully choose to reject God’s will, choosing the path of rebellion, they too will be cut off. It doesn’t matter what you claim to be, it matters what you do.

Romans 11:18-22  Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.  Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.  Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:  For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.  Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

John the Baptist warned about the same thing. 

Matthew 3:8-10  Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:  And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.  And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

As a child grows into physical maturity, they become accustomed to walking. They can identify obstructions in their path in order to avoid them. They have learned how to carry themselves as they walk through this world.  Christians must do the same, until each step that you take is the same as you took yesterday and the day before, showing a pattern of good works and a routine of perfection.  We must practice our faith daily until it is perfect, and repentance is no longer needed. It’s time for everyone to advance forward unto spiritual maturity. We must grow in grace, and move on from the…..

……Baby Steps

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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