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.
Over the years I have spent quite a bit of time up in the boundary waters canoe area, camping and fishing in some of the most pristine lakes of Northern Minnesota. But a lot of lakes in that area are classified as “paddle only” meaning that you can only travel using human powered watercraft such as paddle boards, kayaks or canoes. I have always wanted to take one of my smaller sailboats up into that area, but for whatever the reason, even wind assisted watercraft such as sail boards and sailboats are completely banned. Motor boats and any other motorized watercraft, even electric trolling motors are absolutely prohibited from entering into these areas, and in many places they adhere to a strict zero tolerance policy. In fact, it’s been claimed that you are not even allowed to be in the possession of motorized equipment while you are out on a paddle only lake.
This reminds me of the Christian Life.
There are many rules and guidelines here on this Earth, but the same is also true when it comes to the regulations concerning entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven. Just like leaving your outboard at home when you head out into parts of the BWCA, those who want to eventually obtain eternal life are going to have to learn to leave all of their sins behind.
2 Timothy 2:19 (KJB) 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.
As I have always taught, Christianity without repentance is a complete fraud, which is why our precious Lord Jesus warned that people need to repent or perish. He explains in three simple words that if you are not going to change, then you are going to die, which is a Divine principle that has been taught by sincere men of God for thousands of years.
Romans 8:12-14 (KJB) Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 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. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Christianity is not a one-time event, such as being baptized into the faith, but rather a day by day commitment to turn from sin and submit to the will of God. The Apostle warns the church that if they were going to live after the flesh and refuse to amend their sinful ways then they were going to die. Professing to be a Christian is meaningless if you are not sincerely going to go through a change from the old sinful person from your past. Heaven is a reward for those who have transformed into faithful and obedient Saints of God, but those who refuse to repent of their wicked works are going to be cast into an everlasting lake of fire, and it doesn’t really matter if they claim to be Christian or not. God judges by our works, not by lip service.
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.
Teaching people that they are assured of their place in heaven without any type of repentance is a trademark of false prophets.
2 Peter 2:17-21 (KJB) These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
John the Baptist warned the religious leaders of his day about the serious consequences for those who are not going to repent. Amazingly, you will find many of these same kinds of people filling up the seats in modern forms of false and insincere Christianity.
Matthew 3:5-12 (KJB) Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
Whenever you get on an airplane, there are certain things that you are not allowed to take with you. Many times when you walk into a classroom, you will have to leave your cell phone behind. Those who claim to be followers of Christ must depart from iniquity, because Heaven is reserved for those who have repented from dead works. In many ways it’s very similar to leaving your outboards at home, every time that you head out onto a lake that has been reserved for,……
……..Paddles Only
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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