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.
I’ve done my fair share of camping during my lifetime, but when I was out in the elements, there have been a few times when all of my gear got soaking wet, including an entire box of matches. But recently I discovered that they make a great tool for quickly starting camp fires. It’s called a ferro rod, which is a great survival tool for any camper who is out in the woods. In many ways it reminds me of my igniter for my acetylene torch, and will generate approximately 5500° F , even if it is completely wet! All you need to do is strike it rapidly with a steel striker such as a camping knife, and the metal particles will react with the oxygen in the air and create some extremely hot sparks for your prepared tinder. It’s been claimed that one of these rods can be used upwards of 12,000 strikes, and it’s quite shocking to see them in action for the very first time, because they are incredibly bright!
This reminds me of the Christian Life.
A Christian is also to be an extremely bright light in this dark world, shining like a ferro rod, and radiating good works through the faith that is found in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-16 (KJB) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Our faith must be kindled with the fire of the Holy Spirit, just like a large campfire that is ignited for everyone to see. In my travels across the country, I have driven through quite a few big cities, and before you even get there, you can see their bright lights permeating the darkness from many miles away. Some sources claim that a ferro rod can burn so brightly, that it can actually cause temporary flash blindness and even disrupt your night vision. The Lord wants us to burn this brightly, and in fact He even referred to John the Baptist as a burning and shining light.
John 5:33-35 (KJB) Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
But in order to be a bright light unto others, you must first be filled up with fuel. Oil has always been used as a metaphor for the Holy Spirit, and we must always keep our lamps filled up to the rim!
Matthew 25:1-13 (KJB) Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
When you bring forth good works, they cannot be hidden.
1 Peter 2:12 (KJB) Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
God wants us to be zealous of good works!
Titus 2:13-14 (KJB) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Philippians 2:15 (KJB) That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Good works are commanded throughout the scriptures, because without them, sincere faith is non-existent.
James 2:14-24 (KJB) What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
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.
Consider all the incredible deeds that Jesus did while He was here on the Earth.
John 21:25 (KJB) And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
When you burn brightly with the power of the Holy Spirit, it is a fire that will be seen by others, just like a flashlight on a dark night, or even a lighthouse by the seashore. People are going to notice your works, just like whenever you reach over and strike up,…..
…….The Ferro Rod
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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