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.
Some of us have grown up with neighbors or close friends that really were not a good influence on our lives. Perhaps you spent time with them every day on the school bus, or they were your lab partner in chemistry class. Maybe you were in the high school band together and spent a lot of time with each other at sporting events. Maybe they lived on the same city block as you did, and because you were the same age you got involved spending a lot of your free time with them after school. But children can be very naive, and have to be warned that they must be very careful who they are going to associate with. Adults can be the same way, who despite their age must be cautioned like a young teenager. If you are going to hang out regularly with a bunch of thieves, then more than likely you are going to get in trouble with them. If you’re going to hang out with a bunch of party animals, then people are going to naturally assume that you are just like they are. The worst thing of all is that the closer you get to people who are involved with the wicked works of darkness, the more damage it can cause to your Christian faith.
This reminds me of the Christian Life.
Becoming a Christian is about making the right choices about who you are going to follow. You are either going to follow Christ and create new friendships with others who are walking in the light of biblical truth, or you are going to continue following those who are still involved with the wicked works of darkness. Choose wisely who will be your mentors, because the selection that you make will result in your salvation or eternal damnation.
1 Peter 4:1-5 (KJB) Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 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.
I’m sure a lot of you can relate with having close friends in your past who were extremely convincing. I mean when it came down to it, they had very strong leadership qualities, (if only they used their gifts to point people in the right direction.) But because they were complete unbelievers and didn’t have any fear of God at all, they always seemed to take the lead and try and influence others to get involved in their wild and rebellious behavior, doing things that are not only immoral but illegal! We all know the type, the ones who sit in the passenger seat of the car and try to convince you to do 120 mph down the back road. We all know the type. The ones who sneak into the school through an open window and convince you to steal things out of students lockers. We all know the type. The ones who convince you to go out to a school kegger and get completely annihilated on booze and liquor. These people are some of the worst role models that you could possibly have, and following them around will eventually ruin your life. Save yourselves from these types of people, and turn away from them and come to Christ Jesus. We must develop new relationships with those who are walking in the light, and keep separate from those who choose to abide in darkness.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (KJB) 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.
A lot of people are still living in their sins, and to continuing to abide in a close relationship with them can harm your relationship with God and others. You might have known some of them for over half of your life, but those who choose to walk the Christian Life, requires telling them that you cannot live like that any longer. When you finally make that decision, it’s going to cause suffering and contention. They will cast out your name as evil and call you a wicked and terrible person. They will falsely accuse you and spread rumors about you simply because you choose to follow the way of Christ rather than them.
1 Peter 4:12-14 (KJB) Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
2 Timothy 3:12 (KJV) Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
To be able to enter into eternal life we must make sure that any influences in our lives come from others who are filled with faith and obedience to Christ Jesus. I’m actually amazed with the rise of the internet how many people want to influence you and get you to follow after them. Many times they remind me of a clique in high school, a select group of people who shared common interests and activities with each other. They always wanted people to join up with them and be on their side, but when you chose to abide with others they got really upset. Becoming a Christian is very similar because it’s about developing new and close relationships with people who are walking in the light. This will require walking away from those who continue to abide in their wicked lifestyles. We must join up together with others who call on the name of the Lord out of a pure heart, people who have made the decision to walk in the light rather than live in the dark.
Each day there is a battle that rages between good and evil, and you must choose between them. Don’t be shocked when you make the decision to do what is right with your life and are hated because of it. Who are you going to follow, worldly impenitent friends or faithful friends in Christ? There are numerous role models we can look to throughout the teachings of scripture, and the future of your life and your own salvation comes down to making the right decisions, and choosing……
……..The Proper Mentors
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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