12.8.9 "Keep it Between the Lines"

"Keep it Between the Lines"

Hosea 10:1-14:9
Jude 1:1-25
Psalm 127:1-5
Proverbs 29:15-17

I've done some things I should ask you about... We have a four-way stop near our house. I stop "most" of the time, but if I'm in a hurry, I go through right away because everybody else stops. Great idea right?

A couple of years ago on there was a major traffic delay on my side of the freeway. I noticed there was no traffic at all on the other side, so I took the next exit crossed the bridge, and drove onto the other side of the freeway. It was great. Sure it was the wrong direction, but it sure was fun waving to all those losers who were stuck in traffic....

How do you feel about my actions? Well, to be honest, you don't need to worry. Those things never happened. However, I think more people would be upset about the traffic offenses than they would be about how some Christians live their life. They know God's guidelines, but choose to do their own thing anyway.

We live in an age of grace. We know that. We are thankful for the cross. It is a wonderful gift. We fail to understand that the power of the cross constrains us to do the right thing. Jude 1:4 says, "I say this because some godless teachers have wormed their way in among you, saying that after we become Christians we can do just as we like without fear of God's punishment..."

Unfortunately, there's an errant theology that can creep in that says we can make the choices we want to make, do what we want & everything will work out in the end. That is more dangerous than driving 65 miles an hour down a freeway in the wrong direction. Sure, you might survive...

We MUST understand the character of God. His love for us is the most intense force in the universe. Jude 1:21 says, "Stay always within the boundaries where God's love can reach and bless you." WHAT?? what do you mean where the love can reach... isn't it the most powerful?

Yes, it is, but when we willfully step out from the umbrella of God's grace, we are in very serious danger. The world really wants to trick us into believing we can make the choices we want to make, right or wrong, with no consequence. Is that a godly principle? Here's Jude's reply:

"My answer to them is: Remember this fact - which you know already - that the Lord saved a whole nation of people out of the land of Egypt, and then killed every one of them who did not trust and obey him... And I remind you of those angels who were once pure and holy, but turned to a life of sin." Jude 1:5

When learning to drive, one thing that's really important is keeping your car in your lane. For the safety of everyone you need to keep it between the lines.

We must do the same thing as believers. there is a structure and a plan that God has for us. Our love for him should constrain us to keep to the path he has laid out. Hosea 14:9 says, "Whoever is wise, let him understand these things. Whoever is intelligent, let him listen. For the paths of the Lord are true and right, and good men walk along them. But sinners trying it will fail."

So many around live as if they will not reap the fruit of what they plant. Hosea 10:12-14 say, "Plant the good seeds of righteousness and you will reap a crop of my love; plow the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower salvation upon you. but you have cultivated wickedness and raised a thriving crop of sins. You have earned the full reward of trusting in a lie - believing that military might and great armies can make a nation safe! Therefore the terrors of war shall rise among your people, and all your forts will fall..."

This might not like a real encouraging word, but it's most assuredly a word we need to be reminded of. I don't only need to hear this myself, there are those in my world who do, and I owe it to those I care for to help them stay the course. Proverbs 29:15 & 17 say, "Scolding and spanking a child helps him to learn. Left to himself, he brings shame to his mother... Discipline your son and he will give you happiness and peace of mind." Discipline is not a punishment of wrath. It's an act of love to help one stay the course; to keep it between the lines.

God does not want us to be left to our own devices. He loves us enough to constrain us to do the right thing. We must be urgent about this.

"But you, dear friends, must build up your lives ever more strongly upon the foundation of our holy faith, learning to pray in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit. Stay always within the boundaries where God's love can reach and bless you. Wait patiently for the eternal life that our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy is going to give you. Try to help those who argue against you. Be merciful to those who doubt. Save some by snatching them as from the very flames of hell itself. And as for others, help them to find the Lord by being kind to them, but be careful that you yourselves aren't pulled along into their sins. Hate every trace of their sin while being merciful to them as sinners." Jude 1:20-23

We must discipline ourselves to be Empowered through Biblical Training this is how we break up the ground of our heart. Yes, sometimes it takes work, and many times we don't "feel" like it. However, this is what produces the fruit of a godly life. We can't think that we can plant selfishness and reap something else. It doesn't work that way.

Keep it between the lines of God's word!



Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


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