The Path

Introduction

Yes, I’m going to. I’m going to go back to Snoop Dogg. Snoop Dogg went over so well last month. Praise you and not your own mouth, a stranger, and not your own lips. Actually, even at that time, I was thinking about another part of this, another direction I wanted to go with the now infamous speech that was given by Snoop Dogg when he received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame around Thanksgiving when in the end he went into a tribute to himself. Last but not least, I want to thank me. I want to thank me for believing in me. I want to thank me for doing all this hard work. I want to thank me for having no days off. I want to thank me for never quitting.

And he’s sort of rapping, I guess, as he does that. At least it’s easy to rap to. But there was another part of this that I wanted to draw your attention to. I want to thank me for always being a giver, trying to give more than I received. It went a little spiritual there. I want to thank me for doing more right than wrong. I want to thank me for just being me at all times. So that was the conclusion of Snoop Dogg’s speech. But it’s that sentence there. I want to thank me for doing more right than wrong. Is that going to be good enough at the end of our lives? And is there a verse that perhaps speaks in this vein? And I and I put all of this together as somebody read 2 Corinthians chapter 5 and verse 10.

And the statement that appears, I love the context of this, but I don’t have time to go into all of that. It’s horny. But this is a very sobering statement that Paul makes on the heels of our anticipation of immortality. And the fact that he is going to persuade the Corinthians in right choices and right behavior to be reconciled to God, and what is the crux of the entire book in 2 Corinthians chapter 5? But in the midst of that, he makes this sobering statement, for we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. This is something we emphasize in practically every assembly. Everything is heading toward an inevitable day of reckoning for our conduct. If not, then the Bible has no meaning at all.

This verse has no meaning at all. We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ so that each one may receive what is due. What he has done in the body, whether good or evil? And it’s that last phrase that I was thinking about in relation to Snoop Dogg’s comments. He said, I’ve done, I want to thank me for doing more right than wrong. More good than bad. So this is the nature of this judgment, whether good or evil. Is this passage talking about a ledger that God has. On one side here are the good things that you’ve done. On the other side, there are things that we would acknowledge, as Bill pointed out in the Lord’s Supper comments, that we are sinners, and thus we have the need for Jesus’ sacrifice, and thus we remember what He’s done for us.

And so on one side of the ledger on the day of judgment is the good things that you’ve done, and on the other side of the ledger are the bad things that you’ve done. And what you’ve got to hope is that when this judgment takes place, that there’s more on the good side of the ledger than the bad side of the ledger. Is that what this passage is saying? So what are we shooting for? 51%.

Boy, I tell you, if that’s the case, there’s a we’ve we’ve you know wreaked a lot of havoc in our lives with the 49% and the bad column. Okay, let’s look, maybe better than that. Let’s let’s go 75-25. Is that what we’re shooting for on the day of judgment? We’ll get to go to heaven if it’s three quarters good and one quarter bad. Or is it even let’s shoot for higher things. Let’s go 9010.

10% on the bad side of the ledger. I’m good 90% of the time. But I think we can all argue that we probably should do better than that. So let’s say on the day of judgment, here we are before God. We’re 99% good, one percent.

1. The Path a Person Travels in This Life

Have we merited our salvation? You see, I don’t think that’s what Paul means in 2 Corinthians chapter 5 and verse 10. And I’ve got to admit, I’ve quoted this verse maybe a thousand times and have never really stopped to think much about the last statement, whether good or bad. What are we to make of the standard of judgment from this text? And is Paul in regard to many of the things that he says about Christianity in the New Testament, isn’t he talking more about, instead of this concept of a ledger, isn’t he talking more about the path that a person travels in this life? About a direction that a person’s life heads, either toward good or evil. I really think that’s more the idea of 2 Corinthians 5 and verse 10, illustrated by further comments that Paul makes in Ephesians chapter 5 and other places like 1 Thessalonians chapter 4, Colossians chapter 3, and other places that we could reference.

But I just want to look at Ephesians chapter 5 in the context, and I’m not going to read all of these verses, where Paul is encouraging believers to be imitators of God. And that means, of course, the pursuit of goodness. And he says, let no immorality, verse 3, or any impurity or greed. I mean, God isn’t looking for one percent on the bad side of the ledger. He wants us to attempt to pursue a total eradication of immorality from our lives. Do not let immorality or impurity or greed even be named among you. There must be no filthiness and silly talk or coarse jesting. For you know verse 5 with certainty. Okay, there’s no question here, for you know this with certainty that no immoral or impure person or covetous man who is an idolater has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Now he’s not talking about an individual who has ever committed an act of immorality, a bad mark on the ledger, or one who has at some occasion in their life been guilty of coarse jesting, whatever is involved in that, or talk that is unacceptable for a Christian. He’s not talking about one negative mark on this side of the ledger, an act of evil. He’s talking about a path, a course. An impenetent pursuit of an immoral behavior which could cause that person to not receive his or her inheritance. And this relates to what I’m about to say, so I want to read verse 6. Let no one deceive you with empty words. Let no one come along and tell you and you believe that your behavior doesn’t matter.

The course you choose to live, that it doesn’t matter. Let no one deceive you, because the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. The path of evil. The wrath of God is coming upon those who choose that path. Therefore, don’t be partakers with them.

Walk as children of light. You see, he’s talking about a path, a direction that we’re headed. He says, walk as children of light. And I would just say this. Paul is under no illusion about the struggles of his audience at times to live holy lives.

He realizes that there are some very real struggles that they’re encountering and experiencing, or else he wouldn’t be writing what he’s writing. He wouldn’t be warning them about the influences that are coming upon them, about this pinchant toward immoral conduct that he says, don’t be partakers with them. It would be a foregone conclusion, would it not? For those who are Christians, that they shouldn’t be engaged in this kind of behavior, but they needed admonishment in this regard. And he says, that’s not the path that you’re on. Instead, you’re on the path of goodness and righteousness and truth. Trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. And some of you, some of you need to awaken. Walk in wisdom. Be careful how you walk. Make the most of your time.

Stay on the path. Because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish. But understand what the will of the Lord is. And so, as I thought about the nature of the judgment that’s coming upon each one of us. And what Paul is saying about the life Christians are called to live. I wanted to talk to you this morning about the direction of our lives. What is the nature of this path? What kind of expectations I have? What kind of expectations of myself should I have? Are you on the path? Are you sure? And what are some things that we need to be thinking about as we walk? This path of light and goodness and truth. And so I wanted to remind you of both some perils and some promises.

2. Perils: Outside Assailants

As hopefully each of us find ourselves on the path of goodness. So that the judgment day will be favorable for us. I want to start with the negative first. Perils. And that’s what Paul is talking about in Ephesians chapter 5, the potential perils. As he talked about, let no one deceive you. There are outside assailants, there are forces without who will do their best to discourage you from this path. They will tell you that this path is not worthwhile to you. That there are better choices to be made, happier choices to be made than any kind of restriction or restraint on your part. Who’s going to sign up for that nonsense? Self-control. What are you talking about? Do what feels good. And that was the subject of our daily Bible reading this past week.

You knew I was going to put that in somehow. As I encourage you to do, as I think you did in this class already today, the reading for this week. And there’s so much in the early part of Proverbs that has to do with the path that we walk. And pursuing a path of wisdom, like Paul talks about in Ephesians chapter 5. But in our reading this past week, it was all about these individuals who are saying to you, come over here. We’ll do this. It’ll be great. We’ll all have one purse. We’ll gain income. We’ll take advantage of other people. We’ll get income and we’ll share all the proceeds. And he says, now be reminded that these people who speak these words to you, they ambush their own lives.

You don’t want to be associated with them. But there are all sorts of influences that will attempt to discourage you from maintaining the right path in your life. Now, who is so vigorously promoting another path? Well, it’s the devil, of course, the father of all lies. And he’s good at it. We read about him in John chapter 8 and verse 44. And so there are a host of messages that are bombarding you at any given moment, and particularly as we’re not assembled here thinking about God’s good things, his light, as we are out there in the world, there are all kinds of influences that are trying to divert you from the path. And the path they are going to outline for you.

Very appealing.

And you’re going to find yourself drawn to some of the authors of this evil path. And not only are you going to be drawn in that direction, there’s going to be somebody who will even suggest that this new path, this other path than what we read about in the New Testament, is actually the narrow way. It’s actually okay for you to walk down this path. God actually won’t disapprove of you if you are on this path. I call it attempts to incorporate the broad way into the narrow way. But guess what? It’s still from the author of lies, the devil, and it’s still the broad way that leads to destruction, even if somebody comes along and said, No, but it’s the narrow way. It’s okay. It’s good.

Let me tell you something about outside assailants. They are real. They are persistent. They are persistent. That really is all wrapped up in Paul’s entire message to the churches of Galatia. When he talks about their status of being bewitched, and he’s concerned about them falling from grace, Galatians 5 and verse 4, as he comes to the conclusion of those thoughts, he says in verse 7, you were running well. You were on the right path. He says, You were running well. But someone has hindered you. He will bear his judgment. Whomever he is. Paul apparently is not aware of who the source of the troubling of these churches was, but he says, He will bear his judgment, whomever he is. This persuasion, the things that they had come to believe, which is not the path, he says, this persuasion does not come from him who calls you.

3. Perils: That Which Comes From Within

So, point number one, make it simply, there will be outside assailants that are going to do their best to persuade you not to traverse this path. And that’s one. But I’m not sure. I think another peril of the path is not so much that which comes from without, but that which comes from within. When I read the New Testament, I read Paul’s epistles, Peter’s, James, all of them. It seems that so much content of the letters that were written to early believers was about the inward struggles. Old passions and behaviors will not go away quietly. The rigors of daily life will divert focus, diminish zeal, desires, pain, and weariness must be battled. And beyond all of that, there will be a host of discouragements. You’ll probably be discouraged by yourself and your own failure.

You will be discouraged by those whom you think their behavior should be better than it is. You might be discouraged by how others have disappointed you, perceptions that you have of them, whether real or imagined, they’re still your perceptions, and you’re disappointed. Recognize again who is wanting you to quit the path. And the parable of the sower can interject some concern here. And I’ve been thinking about this for a number of years. There’s four kinds of soils. Y’all are many of you are aware of that story that Jesus told. And of course, we want to see ourselves, and I believe this group is made up of individuals who have been that fourth soil, the good soil that it’s the good and honest heart that hears the word of God and embraces it and yields its fruit, some thirtyfold, sixty-fold, and a hundredfold, good and honest hearts who embrace the truth and attempt with all of their might to walk in God’s ways.

They bear fruit. However, I’m not sure that because you were once that soil, that means you will always be that soil. Because the third soil is a bit troubling to me.

Who embrace the word, but over a period of time, the worries of this life. Cares and concerns and riches choke out the fruitfulness of the word. And I wonder if it is possible that once good soil could become thorny soil after a time. And so I have concerns about what our own minds are doing as we walk this path. Simon the sorcerer is not the only Christian who has ever found himself or herself in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity. And our recovery will be no different than his. Repent and pray that the thought of your heart might be forgiven you. Never forsake thoughts of God and commitment to assembling with his people. This consistency benefits keeping our spiritual focus as we walk this path.

I saw this quote this week from a guy named Michael Byrd. Bruce Reeves posted it. An impoverished view of God leads to low church attendance. Simple but true. That one of the reasons why we don’t see consistency in assembling from people is that their view of God is not what it should be. An impoverished view of God leads to low church attendance. I would further suggest that it’s an impoverished view of God that leads to most of our spiritual lists. And now I pause and say, Admittedly, I have painted a quite disturbing picture to this point. Way to start off the new year, Tony. Make me think that I can’t walk the path. This is a disaster. Not only do we have all of these outside influences that are encouraged me to go off the path, but you’re talking about inward struggles that I’m very familiar with, that I fight along the way.

4. With God, All Things Are Possible

What’s the point? I can’t walk the path. Which leads me to the discussion that takes place after the rich young ruler walks away and says the path isn’t for me. He wasn’t willing to part with his son. Jesus tells the disciples how hard it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven and says it twice. It’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And the real troubling thing about Jesus’ words there is that we’re all very rich.

But look, if people in the first century were measuring you and me, we’d be the rich people.

When they question, then who can be saved? It seems impossible. And so if I’ve painted an impossible picture, admittedly, it does seem pretty well impossible at this point. Then who can be saved? And then this glorious statement follows. I love it. It’s full of hope when Jesus says, with men it is impossible. But with God, all things are possible. Let me tell you something wonderful about it. That is that we have some very real health. And my font has gone awry. I hate it when that happens. This could have been so good. And I had room for the high priest there.

I’m going to blame it on Aaron today. But it was probably just a font issue. Here’s the thing. Whether the fonts are good or not, the high priest is good. And the whole point of the book of Hebrews is that we have a high priest in Jesus who hasn’t just left us on our own on this path. If it’s just up to me, I’m not gonna make it. But I have help.

It says in Hebrews chapter 2. He is able to save forever those who draw near to him.

Hearts knitted together in love. Colossians chapter 2 and verse 2. However, feeble the efforts might be of the body to help me along the path. I want to tell you today, you are helping me walk this path. Today you are helping me. I haven’t talked to a lot of you talking about back in the back classroom. But your being here and participating in singing with me and worshiping with me and conversations that we will have today, all of these things are helpful to me on this path. Two passages.

5. Invoke Heaven's Assistance in This Journey

You need to commit these to memory. Psalm 19. We talked about this in our high school class recently, this wonderful psalm about the evidence of God in creation and in his word. And this conclusion. A prayer that we need to be praying as we walk this path. Keep back your servant from presumptuous sins. Let them not rule over me. Then I shall be blameless. And I shall be acquitted of great transgression. Pray this. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight. O Lord. My rock and my redeemer. The other is in Psalm 139. In Psalm 139, as David ponders God’s all seeing eye and his great power and the precious nature of all of God’s thoughts, he says, Search me, O God, and know my heart.

Try me and know my anxious thoughts and see if there be any hurtful way in me and lead me in the everlasting way. Lead us not into temptation. Jesus taught his disciples to pray. We have to invoke heaven’s assistance in this journey. And I ran across this in my daily Bible app as I was, I mentioned this to you last week. The Daily Bible app verse yesterday, Nahum chapter 1 and verse 7. And the reason why it stuck out to me is because immediately I realized this was the context of judgment that God was bringing. But in the midst of this pronouncement of judgment, this statement is made.

A stronghold in the day of trouble. And he knows those who take refuge in him. You know, the whole the whole world around you could be falling apart. Many covenant people can be falling apart, and God could be bringing judgment upon his nation, upon his people, and that’s what Nahum is talking about. He says, but you make your refuge the Lord, and rest assured that he knows.

He will be with you and help you.

6. Priceless Proof, Precious Possession, Peerless Prize

That you need to remember. Three things that are ours as we traverse the path. And I used alliteration here, maybe a little bit of it to stretch, but I wanted to make it memory. Number one. And by the way, the adjectives that I use here would work for all three things. They’re interchangeable. So think about that if you want. What we have at our disposal is priceless. Our knowledge of the path, our knowledge of the proofs that tell us that Jesus Christ is indeed our Savior, and He sits at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Proofs that we talked about in our high school class this morning that we can have confidence that this book is from God, that it is his will for us.

As Paul talks about in Ephesians chapter 5, these are the priceless proofs that have been placed in your hands. What an extraordinary guides our path.

And being in the know about how he wants us to live. Then there is, secondly, the precious possession. That I, as Nahom, chapter 1 and verse 7 emphasize to us, that I have a relationship with the living Lord. I have a relationship with God, Father, Son, and Spirit. That I am connected to the most awesome beings, to the living God. What an incredible possession that is.

I know we’ve heard Psalm 23 a million times. But we have a precious possession as we walk the path that we must not diminish, undervalue, or let go of. And finally, although that is sufficient in and of itself, there is what I call the peerless prize that awaits us. Peerless, what does that mean? It doesn’t have any peer. There’s nothing comparable to it. And the prize is not just the destination, but it’s the very nature of the journey itself. That we are walking in the will of our Creator, that we are walking consistently with God’s purposes for us when He made us, when He gave us life and breath. And so we have, we walk toward the prize, as Paul says in Philippians chapter 3, the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

You see, we’re on a path whose trajectory is glory. And that is peerless. It doesn’t have any equal anywhere. Not on our phones, not in our televisions, not in our neighborhoods, not in our bank accounts, not in our 401ks. It has no equal. It is peerless. And it is so far beyond any and all of that other stuff put together. As you walk the path, we have priceless proof. A precious possession.

Conclusion

Stay determined in the walk on this path. Path of the righteous is like the light of dawn. Proverbs. Shines brighter and brighter. What a way to live. Walking this path. Walking it with others. Who are determined to see it through to its glorious end. The next verse the way of the wicked is like darkness. They do not know over what they stumble. You know that’s so true of our culture. They don’t even know over what they stumble. The wise writer says. And finally, in Isaiah. In Isaiah chapter 26. These words comfort the righteous. The steadfast of mind you will keep in perfect peace. Because trust. Trust in the Lord forever. For in God the Lord we have an everlasting rock. He has brought low those who dwell on high, the unassailable city.

He lays it low. He lays it low to the ground. He casts it to the dust. The foot will trample it, the feet of the afflicted, the steps of the helpless, he says, the way of the righteous is smooth. O upright one, make the path of the righteous level. Indeed, while following the way of thy judgments, O Lord, we have waited for you eagerly. Your name, even your memory is the desire of our souls. At night, my soul longs for you. Indeed, my spirit within me seeks you diligently. One important key to the path. Make sure. Inwardly, as you fight the struggles that you inevitably will, keep the soul diligently seeking the Father, the Son, and the Spirit, and the path that He has called us to.

And we can make it. And it is worth every effort. You need to start stepping in the light and walking that path. Come now as we stand and sing.