3 Things You Cannot Do Without Lying Unless You Have Biblically Repented There are two ways to lie. One is to speak what is untrue. The other is to let people believe what you know is untrue thereby allowing the false impression to stand. The latter is what we refer to now. The first way you lie if you do not repent is in:
1. Baptism. Baptism is symbolic, therefore it communicates a specific truth. It says something very important about the baptismal candidate. First, it says that he believes that Jesus Christ died, was buried and rose from the dead for his sins. He believes that Jesus died for him. The second thing it communicates is that he died with Christ and is raised to walk in newness of life. “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:3-4). So anyone getting baptized publically declares that he has left his old life of sin for the new life of righteousness. Now, unless he has indeed repented, unless he has turned from a life of sin to a life of godliness, he is lying. By his baptism, he says that he has died to the world, and become alive to God when, in reality, he does the exact opposite.
2. Church Membership. If a person joins the church it is because they are following the Biblical example. “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:41) They that gladly receive the word are to become church members. What could be more dishonest and backward than joining a church when you do not gladly receive the word, but grudgingly, grievously and in mere toleration receive the word, but not in cheerful obedience? Those who have not experienced Biblical repentance have not turned from sin. They are nothing like the first converts who “continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42). In fact, they are the exact opposite. They refuse the apostles doctrine, and do not so much as begin in it, much less continue in it. They are more fit for church discipline than for church membership. Now, what could be more deceptive than to offer yourself up for church membership knowing that you have not turned from sin and chosen to serve God? What could more closely match the description in Titus 1:16 “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate”?
3. The Lord’s Supper. We also call this, Communion. “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3). What communion is there if you will not repent and turn from sin? No person who takes the cup without repenting can avoid drinking damnation. _“For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.”_ (1 Corinthians 11:29). If you have not turned to God from sin, there is no communion for you. Over and over we are told that only one kind of person can have communion with God, “but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” (Isaiah 66:2). Do you take the Lord ’s Supper claiming communion with Christ? Then be sure to repent first, turning from your sins to Christ, or you can be sure you are lying to yourself. You cannot take part in any communion with the Holy One, while you choose not to take the “highway of holiness.” You are lying to the church when you take the cracker and juice, yet you have not turned from your wicked ways. You cannot fool God who sees the heart and knows if you have ever truly been born again. Only those who have turned from sin, those who have Biblically repented, tell the truth when they get Baptized, Join the church, and partake of Communion. All others, who will not yet “repent of their deeds”, and “turn from their iniquities” are doomed to be without the gates of that great city with “whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” (Revelation 22:14). There is no reason to refuse repentance except rebellion against God. We beseech you, by the mercies of God, as though Christ were pleading through us,…be reconciled to God while there is time.
So I ask, “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” (Galatian 4:16). Is it not the Word of God which reads, “They received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12. If you must lie to participate in the church ordinances and membership, then aren’t you outside of Christ? Don’t lie. Instead “Repent ye therefore, and be converted [turned around], that your sins may be blotted out.” (Acts 2:19).
Pastor Troy Dukes
Grace Baptist Church
www.GraceBaptistWPB.com
