Living Between the Extremes - Lesson 5 - Biblical Boundary #3

Introduction

I believe we are caught between the person we are
and the person we want to be.

As we struggle in this area
we are looking for the balance where we can safely reside
and be who we are.

In this search to find ourselves
we either beat ourselves up about the past
or live in the too distant future
with hopes of getting out of the rut we find ourselves in.

We need to stop digging
and start climbing.
As that rut will soon become our grave.


Questions to consider:

- Are you stronger spiritually today than you were a month ago, or a year ago?
- Do you struggle with the same problem areas of your life as you did before?
- A rut is a grave with both ends kicked out of it. Are you in a rut?
- If so are you attempting to climb out or do you feel comfortable there?

I don’t want you to be in a rut.
I don’t like to be in a rut.
Like driving in hard packed snow in the wintertime.

You cannot easily steer your vehicle.
You are not in control.
The Lord is not controlling you.

The path you are in is controlling you.

Opening thoughts…





Once again here are our eight guidelines for establishing Biblical Boundaries

· Am I being brought under the power of something that should not be controlling my life?
· Am I edifying myself or others?
· Can I ask God to bless it with a clear conscience?
· If the Lord returned at this moment, would I be ashamed?
· Would it cause a brother to stumble?
· Would it be cause for a lost person to reject the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior?
· Dose my conscience condemn me for it?
· What is good or right about this thing that I would allow it in my life?


Biblical Boundary #3
Can I ask God to bless it with a clear conscience?

Colossians 3:17, ‘And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.’

All means all.
There are some things we don’t ask the Lord to help us with
because we don’t think He will approve.

Then on the other side of the extreme we tell people
the Lord told us to do something so they will not give us as much flack.

Do you fall into one of those camps?
If yes, let’s talk about it.
If no, please give the rest of us some advice.





Acts 24:16, ‘And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.’

Always means always,
We spoke last week about how some people wake up in the morning
and decide that they are going to be offended.

What can you share with us about our offences toward God, and men?
Let’s look at the beginning of that verse.
What is exercise? Doing something repeatedly to get stronger.





Acts 23:1, ‘And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.’

That is a powerful statement.
Your thoughts…





2 Corinthians 4:2, ‘But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.’

The hidden things of dishonesty;
What follows dishonesty?
We feel shame;

Shameful deeds we practice secretly,
Because we are ashamed to have them known.

Then the Bible gives us some examples:
Walking in craftiness…
Handling the Word of God deceitfully…
Watering down the Word of God to please everyone…

This week we are talking about our clear conscience,
Shouldn’t the past pain of shame be enough to keep us accountable?
How can we renounce those hidden things of dishonesty?





We make things more difficult than they need to be.
We believe that if something seems too good to be true
It probably is.

Why is that?
Because of past failures.
Because of others letting us down in the past.

Because of that past,
I believe,
We are comparing God to those who have hurt us.

2 Corinthians 1:12, ‘For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.’

The scars of the past are real,
How do we distance ourselves from that
And trust the simplicity of what the Lord has put before us?





1 Timothy 1:5-8, ‘Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:’

faith unfeigned: faith that is sincere,
faith that is real,
faith that is genuine,
faith that is heartfelt,
faith that is authentic,
faith that is truthful

‘From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;’
‘Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.’
‘But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;’

We often compare our strengths with the weaknesses of others,
We are to compare ourselves against the responsibilities the Lord has given us.
What advice do you have for us here?





1 Timothy 1:19-20, ‘Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.’

Has our conscience been so seared that we have been turned over?





1 Timothy 3:9, ‘Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.’

Yes this is for deacons,
But let’s hold ourselves to this same standard.
A mystery,
Even if we do not understand it all,
We trust it.

It is easier to live boldly for the Lord with a clear conscience.
Rather than acting like a dog left home alone who has gone through the trash.
As soon as the master comes home they cower and hide
Rather than running up and lovingly greeting their master.
The one who feeds them.
The one who provides for them.
The one who loves them.


Closing Thoughts …

As we struggle in our battle over the extremes
we are looking for the balance where we can safely reside
and be who we are.

In this search to find ourselves
we either beat ourselves up about the past
or live in the too distant future
with hopes of getting out of the rut we find ourselves in.

We need to stop digging our own rut
and start climbing out of our potential grave.

Let’s not compare our virtues with the moral blemishes of others,
Let’s not compare our moral strengths with the weaknesses of others;
Let’s compare our own achievements and ourselves,
Against the responsibilities given to us by God.

Furthermore, let’s realize that we measure up to God's standard only with God's help.

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