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