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.
There is an old saying that actions speak louder than words, because saying and doing something are two completely different things. Good intentions do not always mean a good follow-through. How many times have you told one of your sons over the breakfast table to cut the lawn after school? Although they verbally assured you that they would complete the task, when you got back from work, you realized that nothing had been done at all.
This reminds me of the Christian Life.
In order to get to heaven, each of us needs to repent from dead works and do the will of God from the heart. This will necessitate much more than just a verbal affirmation, it’s going to require actions.
Matthew 21:28-32 (KJB) But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.
Repentance is a huge doctrine of the Christian faith, insomuch that without it, people are going to perish.
Luke 13:1-5 (KJB) There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 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? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Many people want to claim that they believe in Jesus with their lips, but belief without any actions is vanity. For example, if you really believe that it’s going to rain, you will go out to the clothesline and bring in the dry clothes. It is your belief that led you to action. Well, if you truly believe that people must repent or perish, your entire lifestyle is going to change. Our salvation involves much more than a confession of faith, it requires works that prove that we are in the faith!
James 2:17-23 (KJB) 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.
In order to obtain eternal life, doing the will of God is paramount. This requires more than just hearing what God wants us to do, it’s actively repenting from dead works.
James 1:21-25 (KJB) 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. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
To become pleasing unto God requires more than words or good intentions, it requires actions. Jesus explains this in the following passage.
Luke 6:46-49 (KJB) And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
Many of the religious leaders were upset that Jesus was sitting with publicans and sinners, but the truth is that they were the ones who were actually repenting of their sins! What better event can happen in one’s life than recognizing one’s own depravity enough, that it causes them to turn away from sinful lifestyles? Incredibly enough, it was the religious leaders who wouldn’t repent of their own sins!
Matthew 7:15-23 (KJB) Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 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. 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? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
A wife might claim that she loves her husband, but it’s only words until she completely submits to his authority. An employee might claim that he will do what his employer wants, but it’s only words until it is proven by his actions. A man might tell his dad that he will go work in the vineyard, but it’s only words until he gets the job done.
Repentance towards the will of God is proven through our actions, an important lesson that is illustrated in the parable of….
…….The Two Sons
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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