Armor Up Podcast
Weekly Bible teachings focusing on Jesus’s principles and how to apply them in today’s world.
Armor Up Podcast
What Are We Really Being Saved From?
What does it truly mean to be saved? Marcel Burke and his friend Chris Martinez tackle this profound question in a raw, heartfelt conversation about faith, fatherhood, and finding authentic spirituality in everyday life.
The spiritual journey is rarely straightforward. Chris candidly shares his evolution from obligation-based Catholic traditions to a more personal relationship with God, catalyzed by becoming a father. "When I had those babies, it changed me," he explains, describing how parenthood opened his eyes to deeper spiritual responsibility. Marcel responds with wisdom born from experience, distinguishing between human-powered change and divine transformation.
Through workplace anecdotes and biblical insights, these two friends demonstrate how Christianity manifests in real-world relationships. Marcel vulnerably acknowledges his own failures, sharing how true discipleship includes taking responsibility when we misrepresent Christ. Meanwhile, Chris reveals how Marcel's consistent example has made him "more a role model than boss," showcasing the quiet power of lived faith.
Perhaps the most powerful moment comes when Marcel unpacks Matthew 12:43-45, explaining why spiritual "house cleaning" without Christ leads to greater struggles later. "Human effort can only go so far," he emphasizes, challenging listeners to move beyond willpower to surrender. The conversation concludes with an honest look at modern idolatry—how we elevate work, relationships, and even good things above God.
Whether you're skeptical, searching, or solidly faithful, this conversation offers refreshing honesty about the challenges and rewards of spiritual growth. As Marcel reminds us, "We are earthen vessels," works in progress being shaped by something greater than ourselves. Listen now and consider where you stand in your own spiritual journey.
Welcome back everybody to the Armored Podcast. My name is Marcel Burke and today with me I got one of my good friends. He's a co-worker of mine, he's a good buddy man and he's searching guys. He's searching for the Lord. I gave him a Bible, he's been reading scripture, he attends church and we're just going to chop it up about manhood, fatherhood, you know, and we're going to get a little bit deeper into his endeavor upon this thing we call Christianity how's it going?
Speaker 2:I'm Chris Martinez. Um, yeah, just pleasure to be here. Wanted to, uh, just sit down and talk, you know, see, see, see where our conversation goes. Yeah, definitely, we've had great conversations in the past, marcel and you. It's always one of those things is I'm definitely honored to have you as a friend and I'm blessed to have you as a friend, because it's definitely one of those things, I didn't just meet a friend, I created a brother. We're able to talk about things that not a lot of people are able to talk about, and there's comfort there and you and your beliefs and everything you have. You know that you've practiced and everything. It definitely makes me feel comfortable to where I'm able to ask you questions and know that. You know I'm getting good advice and good feedback and and yeah, no, I'm, I'm really looking forward to this combo I appreciate it likewise, man.
Speaker 1:The feeling is mutual, brother for sure appreciate that man and like we were talking about before we picked up on this podcast, I asked my brother a serious question. I asked him was he saved? And he said no, not yet. And then I had to ask him the real question what does it mean to be saved? So we spoke about, you know, cause he thought that being saved was being saved from sin. And I'm going to explain to him right now, and this for all those people out there who listening to, who are on the fence let me tell you right now get off that fence, because the fence belongs to Satan. It's only two sides, and the fence God's side and the devil's side, and the devil, he owns that fence too, brother, I promise you. So I was asking him what do you think it means to be saved? And he said saved from sin. So I'm saying to him right now, and to all you guys who are listening who are a little confused on that we're not saved from sin. When we are saved, essentially we're being saved from God's wrath to come on the last day on his judgment. We're being saved from a great white throne judgment, okay, and that's a terrible place to be once we die, because God said appointed to man is death once, and after that comes the judgment. So what we're being saved from is God's wrath. So I will be who of you. If you're searching, just keep searching scriptures, reading your Bible, and get connected to a church, get plugged into a church. That's a Bible speaking and preaching church, who reads the scriptures. Now, some big old pep rally people, you know, give it motivational speeches. You know, you know telling you you can have this much. So this is this amount of all that. That's, that's how. That's how.
Speaker 1:And one thing I want to ask you, brother Chris, and I appreciate you the compliments you gave me, the feeling is mutual, brother, like when we're on the job site, right, and I think I told you and a couple other brothers that I am a Christian. But I do know this, that, and I think I apologized to you once before I have misrepresented Christ before in you guys' eyes, and that and that, guys, is hypocritical because, like I spoke on a couple of days ago, we can say one thing, but our actions and our reputation precedes us, right? So if you do fall or you do backslide because a Christian, you're going to backslide. Nobody's born perfect, like God said. There's no, there's no one good, no, not one right.
Speaker 1:So if you backslide and you know that, so your people's or your co-workers saw that it's real, it's your responsibility to go to them, apologize and let them know hey, that's not what Christianity looks like I met. I misrepresented Christ. I apologize. Brother, let me get back on my straight and narrow and show them this is what it looks like yeah, no, and definitely and it's, it's definitely.
Speaker 2:One of those things is is I run a lot of work and and you being out there and and it's always positive vibes. It's always positive vibes when someone's down. You're there for them, like it's it's. It's really weird to say, because you know we're on two opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to work, yeah, I'm delegating stuff with work and and trying to figure things out for the whole crew. It's really weird to say, because we're on two opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to work, I'm delegating stuff with work and trying to figure things out for the whole crew.
Speaker 2:And I look at you and, to be completely honest with you, I'm like man, I need to be more like that. I find myself looking at you more as a role model than More. No, it's the honest truth. I see you and I see the way you hold yourself and you know you always get people that say very negative jokes and a lot of stuff that's inappropriate and you hold yourself very well and I see that out there and you know I want that. I want to be able to hold myself very professional and kindhearted in any circumstance and that is a flaw I have. You know, someone says the wrong thing. I got to say something back. Do I have to? No, I don't have to at all, but it is something I do and you know, there's a lot of flaws that I need to work on as a man, and it's just one of those things is I look at you, man, and I like it.
Speaker 1:Definitely like it. And then here's the thing too we, we are earthen vessels, we, we are clay, right, we do have the breath of God breathe in us breath, breathe in us, right. But we're not perfect like and we can be Christ-like, and that's that's. That's a high aspiration, but thank God that he sent his Holy Spirit down to indwell in us once we accept him. Now, like I said before, I backslidden a lot. I still sometimes do backslide, but we have to catch it, because once you have the love for Jesus Christ and let me preface by saying this he searches us out. We never find him. He was never lost, right? So he finds us, he brings us to himself. So in turn, we are so grateful and love him so much for that. We wouldn't want to do anything to dishonor him or mess up his name, because we are essentially representing him while we're here on this earth.
Speaker 1:And I like what you said about how sometimes you kind of get riled up. We all do, brother, we're all human. That's what makes us tick, because as long as we're living in this flesh, we're going to always be susceptible to sin, right. And another thing I want to say is once we and I said this a couple of episodes ago. Once we become saved literally saved and give our lives to Christ, that's that war cry. Right there we declare war. A lot of stuff that didn't bother you is going to start bothering you. A lot of stuff that sears your conscience you can look at and don't bat an eye. That's going to bother you. Our hearts are going to become more and more soft.
Speaker 2:You know what I'm saying?
Speaker 1:We're going to become more compassionate, going to become more respectful, going to become more righteous. That's what I'm looking for. We're going to become more righteous and, like I said before, not to say that we're perfect, because on this side of heaven we're not perfect. We live in a fallen, corrupt world. Everything around us, including our flesh, is going to perish. It's going to fall away and die. So what are we trying to do right now? Because when we die, we're going to live forever. After death, we are going to live forever, but where is our home going to be? Heaven or hell? The choice is ours.
Speaker 2:Yeah, no, and that's that's definitely one of the biggest things, because I'm growing up Catholic and growing up Catholic it was something that I felt I needed to follow through with, and it wasn't for myself, it was more for my family. You know, getting baptized, doing my first communion, my confirmation, making sure all my sacraments were taken care of, it was more of a thing where I felt like I had to because my family wanted me to and doing that, you know, I read the Bible and I did the whole Bible study and going to catechism and spending, you know, all this time at the church going over the Bible, but it was never really understood the way I wanted it to be understood and nothing was ever really explained to me. Once I got married, I ended up getting divorced but I was married and when I was married I ended up having two beautiful babies and when I had those babies it changed me. And when that changed me, everything kind of clicked like okay, cool, like you have to live life on a different path. You need to straighten up your act. You know you need to definitely be able to teach them the proper way of of of life. You know, like I can't, I can't just say hey, you know, I had kids like let's just roll through it, like no, like there's a proper way to do it.
Speaker 2:So at that point in time I attended the packing house. It's a Christian church in Redlands and when I went everything was explained and I felt good about it, like I wanted to be there and sitting there. And you know you have all the screens in the back and you know they're going over to everything and there's pictures and they're explaining things. You know, when they told me that Noah's Ark was made out of gopher wood, it encouraged me to go and look up what gopher wood, gopher wood was and you know to go on that search it's. It's one of those things. God the father he gave us that name, father to take care of our kids. The first voice that our children listen to are from their father, and that gives us a responsibility to teach them the proper way.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:To make sure that they have a proper upcoming and that they succeed in life. And you know, they live a good life and they live, succeed in life. And you know they live a good life and they, they live life the right way, right. And that's that's where I'm at right now on my journey and I'm I'm seeing it and I'm I'm studying and learning and for the first time, you know, outside of Catholicism, it's, it's starting to make sense. And you know, I'm just I'm thankful that I'm finally able to see it. And you know, I'm just I'm thankful that I'm finally able to see it. And you know, it's really wild to say but like there's been situations to where it's like man, like I'm just gonna, I'm gonna leave this up to God, I'm gonna let him, you know, decide what's best for me. And next thing, you know doors are closing, doors are opening and you know I'm leaving things in his hands and it's changed me and I'm just like, wow, like and I'm a witness to that.
Speaker 2:I have that faith, you know, and, man, all I can say is you know, I love God and I love everything about it and I just want to keep learning and I want to grow from it. Amen, definitely do?
Speaker 1:We're going to get you saved brother, Quick, fast, in a hurry.
Speaker 2:But check it out.
Speaker 1:You said something that put a light bulb in my head when you mentioned that when your baby was born, it made you want to be a better person. I understand that and I get that right, because once I started having kid after kid after kid after kid after kid, I thought the same thing too, you, After kid after kid, after kid after kid, I thought the same thing too, you know.
Speaker 1:Oh, this is it. I'm going to be better, but let me tell you something. I'm going to read this scripture to you and to all my viewers listening. Check this out. It's called Return of an Unclean Spirit. This is in Matthew 12, 43 through 45. It says when the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest but finds none. Then it says I will return to my house, from which I came, and when it comes it finds the house empty, swept and put in order. Then it goes and bring with it seven other spirits, more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.
Speaker 1:Now, with this, what Jesus is speaking on right here is something that I did over and over and over again, meaning when we try to clean ourselves up on our own accord, without Christ, right, we can stop the drinking. I spoke about this a couple days ago too. We can stop the drinking. We can stop the drugging. We can stop the, the one-night stands. We can stop that on our own. Of course, we have willpower right. We can stop that on our own. Of course we have willpower, right, we can stop that. But what's keeping those things from coming back? Because our human will is only strong enough. The person who keeps that place swept and clean, which is our spirit, which is our soul, the indwelling man, is Jesus Christ. Because if we try to keep doing everything on our own, those things that we once did we would do again and it'll be magnified. I promise you, brother I tried that before doing things on my own. Be good this time. I'm going to stop drinking. I'm going to stop drinking, bro. I was already an alcoholic before. I became even a doubly alcoholic after that. That's why I didn't have that safeguard, my savior in there with me to rule and reign in my life.
Speaker 1:Once we try to do things on our own, it becomes a difficult task, it becomes a chore, it becomes a burden. You get what I'm saying. That's why I was so proud of you when you, when you started getting these doors open because you have faith. I pray for you, you pray for yourself. Right, it's out of our hands and that's how we should do the same thing within ourselves Pray, seek guidance from the Lord, accept him into our hearts wholeheartedly as our ruler, as our king, as our husband, really as our groom, as our master, lord, and as our father.
Speaker 1:Everything else will become not a cakewalk, but it become more and less burdensome, because God said, hey, cast your burdens upon me, cast your worries and fears upon me. You see what I'm saying. So human effort can only go so far. Yeah, so back to the point. Us having kids beautiful thing, bro, it made me, it makes you want to change. We can have that will and want to and the desire to. But the actual turning of the guard, the repentance of the heart and soul, that's a God, that's a Jesus thing, brother, yeah, you know.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's definitely one of those things where my eyes are open now. Definitely, my eyes are open now and my heart's open now to where I'm able to learn things and accept things, and it's growing me. It's wild to say you know it's growing me. I'm becoming a better person day by day, and, like now, when I look at things too, I mean you wake up in the morning, you look in the mirror, you're like all right, cool, like I look good, I'm good to go. We need to start using the Bible and looking at the bible as a mirror and you gotta, you gotta, see a reflection in that. And that's something I recently learned and something that I I need to do better at, but I'm working on it, I'm working on it, I'm definitely trying and and you just said something that's a scripture.
Speaker 1:Y'all don't think you noticed it, because we are made in God's image. Yeah, we are totally made in God's image, and when you're reading your word, that's a good thing. Let me share a verse with you too, and the audience listening Study to show thyself, a proven to God, a workman that needed not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Now, what does that mean? Read the Bible, study the word of God, because we can't get to know him without knowing his word. And what's even deeper than that is, the word is God. The word was God, jesus Christ, john 1.1.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's definitely one of those things too, because everybody goes on TikTok or Instagram and all that good stuff, and one thing that I found out the other day was that our body doesn't have a taste for anything hot. So, if you eat chilies or anything like that, there's no such thing as, oh, I can taste the hot. It's something that your mind creates and something that you think, and it's almost like torturing yourself, but there's no taste for it, right? So, like that being said, it's, it's really wild, like being angry, being mad. That's all a choice and it's it's funny.
Speaker 2:I look at things now. It's like, yes, of course I'm not gonna lie, I do get frustrated, but it's a choice. It's definitely a choice. As to our bodies, we're meant to be happy and have positive energy and and have those positive vibrations and stuff. So, you know, I'm definitely looking at things different and, man, I just it's a good thing, it's definitely a good thing. Oh, yeah, I've come a long way and I know this path. For me, it's got a long ways to go and it's only going to get better.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, and I implore you, brother, from brother to brother, friend to friend, stay reading your word, stay attending church and if you stay in that church, be sure it's a Bible-teaching and believing church and get saved. Because we discussed this before we hopped on. Time is running short, brother.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Time is ticking.
Speaker 2:It's definitely one of those things I need to, and I don't want to sound wrong, but you know, one thing I've learned in life and it's definitely been a long road is I put work before a lot of other things and I put certain things in front of other things, and that's something I need to change. You know, I need to put the Lord before everything else, exactly, um, you know, I I need to make sure that I'm not making time to go over here and do this meeting or this or that, like I need. You need to make, make that change and make the time, you know, for the Lord. Yeah, and that's just something I need to do on my end, and I know it's going to happen. I just I need to do it and see that people?
Speaker 1:he's speaking biblical terms without speaking biblical terms. What he's speaking on right now is idolatry. Anything that we put above the Lord, whether it be family, husband, wife, money, work, employment that's idolatry. Anything above Christ is an idol. Anything that we put before him essentially, so to speak, is our God. So we are not supposed to be doing that. I mean, I was guilty. I still do it to this day. Sometimes I'll do things around the house, cleaning, before I get on my knees to pray to God and thank him for breathing life into me, to wake up. You know a lot of times I have put working out and that's like a staple of my life.
Speaker 1:You know what I'm saying Working out before getting to my word, or listening to worship music, or listen to my pastor teaching that I probably missed, you know. So anything that we put above the Lord, that is essential An idol, that's an idol. We send up idols for ourselves, Right? And Jesus said you know, we don't put nothing before him. God comes before all and it's a pecking order in humanity. He established the pecking order. It's Jesus, man, the wife and the family trickle on down. You see what I'm saying. It's an order and everything with Christ. Then the family Trick it on down.
Speaker 1:You see what I'm saying. It's an order and everything with Christ. God is a God of order. We all know that God is a God of order. So, yeah, man, I encourage you, brother, I really do encourage you. I'm proud of you, man. I appreciate that I'll be happy, man, when the heavens open up and the angels start praising that we got another one, once you become saved brother and baptized man. And I hope you do it soon, bro. And I just want to tell you I thank you for jumping on with me, man Anything you want to tell the people before we go, brother.
Speaker 2:No, it's been an honor to have me here and it's definitely been a good conversation and I'm sure there'll be more coming up. And yeah, it's definitely something. I'd love to come back and sit down with you and chit-chat a little bit more once I get a little bit further on down the road.
Speaker 1:We will, we will All right, Thank you guys. Man, it's been our time man Appreciate you guys, Until next time. God bless you.