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.
The Port of Baltimore is finally open after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge in March of this year. Obviously this has had a huge impact on their economy as numerous ships have been turned away and denied access to the harbor. It became unreachable because of all of the wreckage in the river. But with great diligence and a lot of effort, they eventually cleared the way, allowing vessels to finally reach their destination.
This reminds me of the Christian Life.
When the Baltimore bridge fell down, it completely blocked the path for ships to reach the harbor, and sin does the same thing by blocking our path to heaven. Like cranes removing all of the junk from the shipping lane, people must purify themselves from sin and remove everything in their lives that obstructs their passageway to eternal life. This is a spiritual clean up, a process of repentance, sanctification, and mortification of the sinful deeds of the flesh. We must keep the pathway clear by digging down deep inside our hearts, and cleansing ourselves from the filthiness of sin.
“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1
How many of you have had a hard time finding your way through your basement because there was too much junk in the way? How many of you couldn’t get into your kids closet because their bedroom floor was a mess and strewn with toys? You finally had to clear a path to put the kids’ clothing away. Obstructions prevent us from getting to where we want to go. Up here in the woods, when my family drives down a back road or goes four wheeling on a trail, we occasionally will come across a large tree that has dropped across the path. Because of this, we have learned to carry a chainsaw with us wherever we go. We will cut up the tree into sections and throw it into the woods, clearing the way for us to continue down the road.
Like a tree that has fallen across the road, or a bridge that has collapsed into the Patapsco River, sin gets in the way of our pathway to God. The only way to rectify this problem is by cutting it up and casting it far from our lives. We must continue dredging the channel, striving each day to keep it clear of anything that might prevent us from reaching the harbor of paradise.
Luke 13 ²² And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. ²³ Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, ²⁴ Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. ²⁵ When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: ²⁶ Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. ²⁷ But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. ²⁸ There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
The simplicity of the Gospel is understanding that it is iniquity that keeps us out of heaven. It all comes down to three words, repent or perish. The refusal to repent is very dangerous, because it can prevent somebody from obtaining eternal life. Like a rockfall that needs to be cleared away in order to pass by, sin must be removed in order to continue down the path of Christ.
Luke 13 ¹ There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
² And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? ³ I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. ⁴ Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? ⁵ I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Sometimes it is only one small failure that can result in catastrophic consequences, and it only takes one huge boulder of impenitent sin to block the narrow path that leads to life
Matthew 7 ¹³ Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
¹⁴ Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
We must be able to clearly see the road in front of us, and cast aside everything sinful that stands in our way.
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. ¹³ Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. ¹⁴ But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Although God cares for us in sending His own Son Jesus to die on the cross for us, God hates sin, and in His perfect justice, He will punish those who refuse to repent of their wickedness. Repentance is about turning away from sinful living to the truth of scripture. It is to reject the way of the world, for the way of God. It all starts by having an attitude adjustment, and humbly accepting the error of your way. It is to possess a fear of God, understanding the consequences for sinful living. Only then can we begin the clean up process that is required to access heaven.
Romans 8 ¹² Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. ¹³ For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
It is sin that stands in between us and a close relationship with God. We must clear it out of the way, and cease to do evil.
Isaiah 1 ¹⁵ And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. ¹⁶ Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
We must move on to perfection, and learn to go and sin no more. We must turn away from iniquity and walk in the light. Sometimes a tree will fall across the road. Sometimes a bridge will fall into a river. But what matters most is cleaning up the mess that has been made, and walking each day in the will of God. Unrepented sin only blocks the passageway to paradise, just like all of the rubbish piled up underneath….
…..The Baltimore Bridge
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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