The Path before us
Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
This is one of God’s eternal decrees…the way any who are saved, are saved.
And the why we are saved:
“For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus….unto good works.”
Are we performing these good works?
There is a course set before each of us.
2 Timothy 4:6-7 “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:”
Paul says he has finished his course….his race on earth is just about over….and he is looking toward “his departure”.
(I love the term he used here. He does not say “death”…although that is the means of his departure. He does not say “martyrdom”…although that is what happened, he had his head taken off.
He says “departure”….as though he was waiting at a train station….for Paul says that this ending here is just a means to transport him to his heavenly home.)
We also have a course set before us….will we, as Paul, finish it…ready to be offered, ready to go?
2 Timothy 1:9 (ASV) “Who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own Purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus, before times eternal.”
According to His own Purpose and grace. His Purpose. His grace.
But….given to us in times eternal.
God, seeing us….made a Way in His Eternal Purpose, for us. He set aside the grace we would need to see that Purpose done…..in eternity past, when He Willed to create the earth.
It is all of His grace.
Which is the unmerited favor of power….or the ability to do.
Paul knew that power or ability in his life…for his course.
2 Corinthians 9:24-26 “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:”
We all should run, looking forward to obtaining the prize from Christ (there are two):
The prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus [Philippians 3:14] which is in this life….and what a prize it is! To be to the praise and honor of our Lord Jesus Christ in whatever we are called to do!
And the prize of the crowns we receive in heaven for the love we’ve had for Christ. Which will be our privilege and pleasure to throw down before His throne in that day! [Revelation 4:10-11]. As Paul said, “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.” [2 Timothy 4:8]
Paul knew this grace….this ability to do….and so can we.
So in the path before us….we must recognize that there are those we are accountable for…to God.
Not that we can save them; but….to make them aware that God has plans for their lives.
Ezekiel 3:18 “When I say unto the wicked, thou shalt surely die; and thou gives him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.”
We are to warn! [it means we are to gleam….to enlighten by caution].
“There’s a call comes ringing o’re the restless wave…Send the Light!, Send the Light! There are souls to rescue, their are souls to save….Send the Light, Send the Light!
Send the Light, the blessed gospel Light; let it shine from shore to shore!
Send the Light, the blessed gospel light; Let it shine, forevermore.”
And we are to speak….which is to tell what Jesus has done for us….and thereby warn them of the coming danger. For we too, were sinners…saved by grace.
But if we will not speak to warn….or will not give out the Light….then “his blood will I require at thine hand.”
Some may ask, What right has God to do that? Every right.
“Cannot I do what I will with My own?” (Matthew 20:15)
We are all His by right of Creation. And for those who are born again….we are His by the double right of redemption.
We are redeemed for a Purpose….and that Purpose, set in order for us in eternity past, includes “good works,….that we should walk therein.”
One of those good works that we should walk therein….is to warn both the wicked and the righteous.
Ezekiel 3:20 “Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.”
We must come to see that we are standing before God even here. It is not a matter of personal worthiness, because we never are worthy.
But it is a matter of the Purpose of God that I am to fulfill….the course I am to run.
And the honor we are to give to Jesus Christ, Who came as the Light of the World…and saved us.
We are not responsible for their turning….but for the warning.
Paul knew, in that Roman jail, that he was about to move out of the Purpose of God for himself…..here on earth;…
…and move on to the Purpose of God for himself in the Presence of God.
We, too, have that course….that path we are to follow. It has been laid out for us…..here….with grace till the end….
…..and in grace, we will “depart”… to be before Him, there, in heaven.
Preaching, Teaching, and Notes 