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.
Up here in northern Minnesota a lot of people like to go fishing, but did you know that the actual survival rate of fish when they are born is extremely low? Some people claim that the chances of a fry surviving to become a catchable fish is one in thousands! There are some female fish that will lay around 300 eggs every 3 days, but 90% of fish larvae will die in the wild.
This reminds me of the Christian Life.
The word “many”, is defined as constituting the great majority. A lot of people will attempt the Christian Life, even believing that they will be in heaven, but for many of them, they simply won’t make it.
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.
They will even have numerous works that they did in the name of the Lord Jesus, but passed over what was required most of all, repenting of their sins.
Matthew 7 ²¹ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. ²² Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? ²³ And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
There is a three word passage in the scriptures that defines the simplicity of the Gospel; Repent or perish. You either turn away from your sinful living or you die in your sins. Those are the only two options that are available.
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. ¹⁴ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
A lot of people will try to overcompensate for their sin by trying to earn their own passageway to heaven. They might bring gifts to the church or give alms to the poor, but in the end, none of these things actually matter if they never truly repented of their sins. Repentance is not optional, it is mandatory, and anyone who claims to be a Christian must reject all sinful activity.
“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.” 2 Timothy 2:19
To obtain eternal life requires getting off of the wide road of sin, and walking on the narrow and conservative path of Christ Jesus. Very few people are actually going to do that because they find that path too narrow and restrictive for them. After all, they would have to give up certain jobs, lifestyles and activities that have become commonplace in their own life. So instead, they seek out a worldly church, one that does not conflict with worldly desires and interests. They want a religion without any borders or confinements, one where they are not hemmed in by scriptural truth. This is why the great masses of them will never truly find the narrow path that leads to eternal 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.
False Christianity is being led by false prophets who are preaching a false gospel who lead people into a false sense of security. Each day it continues to grow larger, fueled by the leaven of their own religious hypocrisy. They will adamantly claim to believe in Jesus, but they don’t want to follow the narrow path that is contained in the teachings of Jesus. They assert that they serve Him, while in all actuality, they serve their sinful nature instead. They profess that they are His disciples, but then completely refuse to submit and obey His will.
“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Luke 6:46
Many of these same people gather together regularly for worship, but it’s not because they truly love God from their heart.
“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” Matthew 15:8
Just as Satan rebelled against God, he has gained access to high places of religious authority on the Earth and continues to lead people away from obedience to Christ. He did this to Eve in the garden of Eden and continues to do it today. Just like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, he will put on priestly robes and garments, displaying an outward form of religion in an attempt to deceive and ensnare the simple minded.
2 Corinthians 11 ¹³ For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. ¹⁵ Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” Titus 1:16
Jesus warned of these times.
“And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” Matthew 24:11
As the devil takes over these high places of spiritual authority, he will use them as the staging area to turn the truth of God into a lie, putting forth his twisted and immoral philosophy that is the trademark of wicked and disobedient men.
“…….. and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.” Jude 1:16
Jude 1 ³ Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. ⁴ For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 2 ¹ But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even daenying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. ² And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
The great majority of people who attempt the Christian Life are simply not going to have what it takes to complete it. Rather than building their lives on the foundations of scriptural truth, many of them will allow themselves to be led away by false prophets and completely devoured by wolves. Others will believe a lie, and fall ill from the sickness of sin. Be forewarned that the survival rate for many who profess Christ is very low, just like so many….
….. Fish in the Lake
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 goups. 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.❤️
tlkjbc.com
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 