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Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:1-7

Live Above the Line

 

Intro.

1.  Living “above the line” is euphemistic for living a successful, fulfilling life that is honest, authentic, genuine. (cf. business applications)

  a.  An imaginary line we choose to live above or below.

  b.  We live in “heavenly places” (Eph. 1:3; 2:6).

  c.  “Living above the line attracts people who live above the line.” (Dan Valentine)

  d.  Living above the line sets examples others can follow (and we can follow), 1 Tim. 4:12; Phil. 3:17.

2.  Living above the line is a life of faith, 2 Cor. 5:7.

3.  Living above the line means we must live in harmony with the lines God draws for us, Jno. 12:48.

 

I.  DO YOU KNOW WHERE GOD’S LINE IS? Jno. 8:31-32

  -This present age keeps changing the rules (the “lines”). (Absolute truth, moral and doctrinal, is minimized and refused.)

  A.  God Draws the Line, Not Man, Jer. 10:23.

    1.  Inspired line, 2 Tim. 3:16-17.

    2.  Line that pleases God and established by revelation, Gal. 1:10-12.

    3.  God’s grace draws the line for us, Titus 2:11-12.

    4.  Our aim (earnest aspiration) is to please God by honoring and living above His line, 2 Cor. 5:9; Jno. 8:29.

  B.  The Lord Draws Bright Lines and Obligates Us to Honor Them.

    1.  Truth and error, Jno. 8:31-32; 17:17.

    2.  Evil and good, Isa. 5:20 (Psa. 97:10; Amos 5:14-15).

    3.  Sin and righteousness, 1 Jno. 3:4; Rom. 6:15-18.

    4.  God and materialism, Matt. 6:24.

    5.  Jesus and everyone else, Lk. 14:26.

        -These are not moving lines, shifting lines, disappearing lines, etc., Josh. 1:7-8

  C.  Don’t Let Others Draw the Line for You, 1 Cor. 15:33-34; 1 Pet. 4:4.

    1.  Moral lines, 1 Pet. 4:4 (Eph. 5:5-7); 1 Pet. 1:15-16.

    2.  Doctrinal lines, Jude 3-4; 2 Jno. 9-11.

 

II.  HOW DO I “LIVE ABOVE THE LINE?” (Not on the line or on the edge of the line.)

  A.  Must Know Where God’s Line Is, Heb. 5:12:14.

    1.  Must know God’s word, Eph. 5:17 (Jno. 8:31-32).

    2.  Must grow in your knowledge of the word, 2 Pet. 3:18.

  B.  Must Actually Do What God Says is Right, Jas.4:17; 1:22; Lk. 6:46; Matt. 7:21.

    1.  Courageous faith to be a leader in righteousness, goodness...

    2.  To step out of the pack (mob), to be different, to rise above the world’s moral chaos and compromise, 1 Jno. 2:15 (1 Pet. 4:4).

  C.  Demands Conversion from the Heart, Acts 3:19.

    1.  Be a living sacrifice, Rom. 12:1-2.

    2.  Must put sin away, Col. 2:11-12; Eph. 4:20-22.

  D.  Requires Renewal of Your Mind, Rom. 12:2.

    1.  See yourself living above the line.

      a.  Set your mind, Col. 3:1-3.

      b.  Press forward, don’t be hindered by failures of the past, Phil. 3:12-14 (1 Pet. 4:2-3).

    2.  Think pure things to keep your heart and life pure, Titus 1:15.

  E.  Must Take Responsibility for Yourself, cf. Amos 7:7-9.

    1.  Must be honest with ourselves.

        -Israel was not honest with themselves and God, refused God’s standard and was punished.

    2.  We have to own our shortcomings, failures, sin, Lk. 18:13-14.

    3.  With a contrite heart, acknowledge sin, repent and bear the fruit of that repentance (2 Cor. 7:11). “I have sinned” (David).

 

Conclusion

1.  Someone has said when people choose to deal below the line, they typically do it in one of 3 zones (https://goo.gl/cm8Auq):

  a.  Blame (circumstances, others, etc.).

  b.  Justification (excuses that impede progress).

  c.  Shame (inadequate, undeserving of success).

2.  These are a waste of time, energy and resources.

3.  Don’t waste the grace of God in your life with its abundant opportunities and blessings (heavenly places) by living below the line, Phil. 3:14.

 

 

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: October 5, 2018