There Are No Exceptions

Have you ever thought that you were the exception? No one has ever tried as you're being tried. You are the exception. No one has ever had the thoughts that you're having, the perceptions, the persecution, the feelings, the experiences. You are the exception. Or have you fallen into the trap of believing that you can violate certain principles and laws, and it will not affect you as long as everything else is right in your life? In other words, you can pick and choose what you want to obey. You are the exception. You don't really believe, Galatians 6-7, be not deceived, God is not mocked for whatsoever man soeth, that shall he also reap. You reason as long as I continue to believe in God and pray occasionally. I am fine. In a recent survey, it showed that 50% of atheists, when they're really in trouble, guess what they do? They pray.

Do you believe you can decide to ignore the law of God and yet serve him? Of course, in our Scripture of the day, it says if any man says he knows God and keeps not his commandments, he is a liar and the truth is not in him.

God says in Psalm 33 and verse 4, All his works are done in truth. All his works are done in truth. That's Psalm 33 verse 4. And then Jesus says in Psalms, in John, the Gospel of John, Chapter 17 verse 17, Sanctify them through your word. Your word is truth. Of course, one of the great questions of the ages is, what is truth? One of the questions that Pilate asked Jesus during the mock trial, and the Bible clearly reveals to us, what is truth? Your word is truth. In other words, God does everything that he does according to his word. Can you say, can I say that we do what we do according to the word of God? And can we say that we do the things that we do? Seems like I heard this in the sermon, Ed. Can we say that we do the things that we do? Because this is the way God is, and this is the way I am. This is my state of being.

And God does everything in truth because he is love. For God so loved the world, he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. There are many notable examples cataloging scripture concerning people who thought that they were the exception. Adam and Eve thought that they were the exception. They could decide right and wrong themselves.

Cain thought he was without sin, so he brought a thank offering instead of a sin offering. He thought he was the exception. He had a Messiah complex, apparently. Nimrod thought that he could rule in the place of God. Lot's wife thought she was the exception, so she looked back and was turned to a pillar of salt. Esau thought he could treat his birthright, which is sacred and is God-given, that he could treat his birthright as profane.

He was the exception. Achan thought he could steal secretly. The sons of Elihu and Samuel, and so many fall into this trap, the sons of Elihu and Samuel thought that because of their father's office, he was a high priest, and all of that, they could play the role of playboys. Saul thought he could please the people and God. Solomon thought he could marry idolaters. Gihasa thought he could deceive Elisha. Judas thought he could betray Christ. Ananias and Sapphira thought they could lie to the apostle Peter and deceive him. Diatrophies thought that he could have the preeminence over John and the other people there at that time.

He thought he was the exception. There are countless men and women in our society today who view themselves as the exception. Over 5,000 Americans try cocaine every day. New users, 5,000. Cocaine is making quite a comeback, especially with the drug lords in South America. And of course, that couple with the opioid crisis in the U.S. There are more deaths probably from opioid addiction than there are from other drug usage. So people thinking they are the exception.

Dozens of celebrities, Hollywood types, athletes are dead at the hands of the merchants of death. They are the merchants of death. Satan is the great merchant of all merchants in that he can sell death. That's what Satan wants. He wants you dead. He's doing a great job selling his product. Hey, I got something for you today. You won't believe what it is. Oh, what is it? Oh, well, it's death. Of course, one of the things that some have embraced is the philosophy of nihilism, of nothingness.

Nothing matters anyhow, so why try? Over 3,000 teenagers a day get pregnant out of wedlock. 3,000 a day out of wedlock. 1.4 million a year, each one apparently thinking that she is, was, the exception. Hundreds drop out of high school each day thinking they are exceptions. Thousands are locked up every day thinking they are exceptions.

Hundreds cheat on their mates every day thinking they are exceptions. And we ask the question, do I, do you, do we believe that we are exceptions? Do you think that you are the exception in the way that you keep the Sabbath? You have your way and others have their way. And I know there are some gray areas. Let's look at Isaiah 58, verse 13. Isaiah 58 and verse 13. In Isaiah 58 and verse 13 we read the following words. If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable, and shall honor him, not doing your own ways, and finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words, you shall then delight yourself in the Lord, and I will come to you and write, and you will write upon the high places of the earth, and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.

Of course, there are so many verses in the Bible with regard to the Sabbath and how it should be kept. Do you think that you are the exception with regard to drinking too much? What about gossiping? Or what about being your brother's keeper? Well, I know what he's doing. I know skin on my back. I sort of like that in 1 Corinthians 5. The incestuous fornicator that the Corinthians did nothing about until Paul wrote the letter, that to put that one aside, turn him over to Satan so that he might be saved in the latter end of things.

One of the main ways that Satan deceives people is to offer them the pleasures of here and now. That is vanity. The word vanity has different meaning, different connotations, depending on the age in which it was used.

Vanity has to do with the temporality of wanting your thing now. So a lot of people want their thing now. So how many star athletes, Hollywood celebrities, thought he or she was the exception? What would you give in exchange for eternal life? Will you yield to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life?

Those three things really summarize what Satan deceives people with, the glamour and glitz of this present evil age. Using that, Satan is able to sell death. What would you give in exchange for eternal life? The ultimate crown, the ultimate goal, is the kingdom of God. Seek you first, the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. That's what is written there in Matthew 6, 33. Let's look at James 1, verse 12. What kind of crown do you want? Do you want in your life?

We've just witnessed the Winter Olympics. Some did, I didn't. But anyhow, they had the lowest ratings ever. It was even too cold to watch television. I read the articles about the wintery at the Olympics, and it also went on to say that snow is piled up almost as ever before, all over the age, all over the earth.

We have had, of course, in ages past, there have been ice ages and that kind of thing. It's really concerned the global warming people. In James 1, verse 12, Blessed is the man that endures trials, temptations, for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life. The crown of life. It won't be just a gold medal in the Olympics. It won't be an Oscar. It won't be any kind of trophy. It won't be anything that man can offer. The crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them who love him. For this is the love of God, that we should keep his commandments, as commandments are not grievous.

That's what John writes in 1 John 5 verse 3. Let's turn now to Revelation, similar there with regard to crown of life, as we read from James 1, 12. In Revelation 2, verse 10, I will give you a crown of life. God the Father will resurrect you from the dead, as it says. Let's read that in Romans chapter 8 and verse 11. If you're not familiar with Romans 8 and verse 11, you should acquaint yourself with it.

The same one that raised Jesus from the dead is the same one that will raise us from the dead. Jesus Christ is the firstborn among many brethren, as it says in Romans 8 and 29. We're reading here Romans 8 and 11, in Romans 8 and verses 11. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken or make alive your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you.

Each person that has received the Spirit of God has the eternal Spirit abiding within them. There are many crowns spoken of in the Scriptures, and Christ wears all the crowns that are good and righteous. Notice this portrait of him in Revelation 19. In Revelation 19 and verse 12. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns.

Many crowns. We sing the song, crown him with many crowns. On his head were many crowns, as Revelation 19.12. He had a name written that no man knew, but he himself. He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God. So we want that crown, that crown of life.

Are you treating the sacred as profane, as Esau did? Perhaps thinking that you are the exception? Are you willing to forfeit the crown of life and the crown of righteousness for thinking you are the exception? That's what Esau did. Look at the sad case of Esau. Look at Hebrews 12. Of course, after the event in which there was deception involved in it with his mother, Rebecca and Jacob, deceiving Isaac and giving the birthright to Jacob. After that was over, Esau sought repentance and a way to change Isaac's mind. But you know it also says in Scripture, from that day forward Esau sought to kill Jacob.

So there was something amiss there in his heart, and once again you heard some of that in the sermonette. In Hebrews 12 and verse 14, we're talking about Esau and what he forfeited. Hebrews 12 verse 14, follow peace with all men and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord, looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness bringing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled. That's one of the main things that takes people away is bitterness. Lest there be any fornicator or profane person as Esau. Profane means secular, that which is not of God.

And to treat the sacred as profane is, see, we have set before us the opportunity to receive a crown of life and to be firstborn in the kingdom of God. And so there's a duality there of firstborn. Esau was the firstborn and should have received the birthright, but Jacob supplanted him. And you know the story. And after that, here's what we're reading about. Lest there be any fornicator or profane person as Esau, who, for one morsel of meat, sold his birthright. For we know that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected. For he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. And we'll talk about later that there comes a point that if you don't heed what you know to do, there comes this point in which there is no way back. Esau found no way back. Look at 1 Timothy 6 and verse 12. 1 Timothy 6 and verse 12. Timothy, young evangelist, Paul, writes to him. Most of the commentators say that Timothy is probably in his early twenties. In 1 Timothy 6 and verse 12, Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold on eternal life. I mean, take a grip on it and don't let it go. Don't let it slip. Let no man take your crown.

Don't ever think that you are the exception to the laws of God. Fight the good fight. Fight of faith. Lay hold on eternal life, whereunto you are also called and have professed a good profession before many witnesses. I give you charge in the sight of God who quickens or brings to life all things and before Jesus Christ, who before Pontus Pilate can witness a good confession, that you keep this commandment without spot, unrebucable unto the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. Fighting that good fight of faith. Verse 17. I charge you that are rich in this world, that you be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy, that they do good, that be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate, that is, to share with others, laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may hold on, or lay hold on, eternal life. We want to lay hold on that crown. We want to lay hold on eternal life, and not let the ways of this world destroy us. The problems that the world is facing, and the problems that we're all facing, are very complex and far-reaching. Second, third and fourth generation, Christians know, I believe they know deep down in their heart that this is the Church of God. I mean, you can read the Scriptures, and it's just so clear what it says, and they know certain truths. But we must never forget that there is a spirit of disobedience at work in this, not only the world, but the universe, that says, you are the exception. Ah, you don't have to do that now. You know, you can wait. And God replies, Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatsoever man soeth that shall also reap. That is a living spiritual law. It is true.

Social scientists think that if you create a perfect environment with perfect parents, ministers, teachers, educational programs, we will have perfect people and children. But it takes much more to fill the hole in the soul, your inner being, than a perfect environment, perfect parents, perfect teachers, perfect ministers, perfect programs. It takes a lot more to fill the hole in the soul than just those things. One of the ironies in our society is that the more that the government has spent on education, the worse the social barometers are with regard to most any criminal or aberrant behavior you want to name. So it shows that education within itself is not the solution.

Just think about the... And to some degree, this is one of the few things that it seems that society as a whole has paid any attention to, and that is the warning on packets of cigarettes as saying something to you, the fact that this product may cause cancer. And how many people have to die? How many people have to die before you get the message?

And of course, knowledge is a wonderful thing, but knowledge that is not used wisely is really of not much benefit. So parents can do a great job in marrying their children. The church can do a good job. And I'm not excusing parents or the church. But if a person refuses to seek God, somehow thinking they are the exception, they will pay the price. The lives of all of those I catalogued at the beginning. Prove the point. See, human nature, as human nature has not changed from the Garden of Eden to the present time, and it requires spiritual renewal and not just intellectual knowledge. A lot of people give intellectual assent to the truth. Oh yeah, I know that's true. But to a large degree, that's as far as it goes. Many in the church view the situation as purely a parental problem, a school problem. And of course, that is a part of the equation, this evil society in which we live. But each one of us must accept personal responsibility for where we are in life. To a large degree, each one of us, from young to old, especially after you come to the point that you can deal with abstraction, that you know right from wrong. Let's go to Ezekiel 14. This is one of these two or three verses here, some of the most sobering verses in the whole Bible with regard to personal responsibility. And what it shows once again, there are no exceptions. In Ezekiel 14, though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, that is when God intervenes and brings the world to judgment, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, says the eternal God. Look at verse 20. Though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live, says the Lord God, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter. They shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness. Each person stands before the judgment seat of Christ. No one else can stand there for any of us. We all stand there. In some cases, the actions that people take, the situations they get into in life, are not necessarily the result of premeditation, deliberate action. Or deliberate action.

It is because oftentimes, as it talks about in Ecclesiastes, time and chance. You're in the wrong place at the wrong time, so what are you going to do about it? Or you suddenly have some kind of premonition and you decide to go along with the crowd. Perhaps you'd think, well, I can do this. I am the exception. I wonder if Solomon thought he could marry idolaters and remain faithful. One of the greatest ironies in the Bible is the life of Solomon. Let's look at 2 Chronicles 1, verse 10. David dies. Solomon now has come to the throne, a rather young man. He says and he does all the right things for a little while. A very little while in 2 Chronicles 1, verse 10. I remember that back in the coaching days, one of the signs in the locker room was, Good starters are many, good finishers are few. And of course there are a lot of parables in the Bible that bear that out. He that endures to the end, the same shall be saved. You're in it for the long haul. In 2 Chronicles 1, I think I said 10. Let's read 9. Read into it.

And God said to Solomon, Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for riches, wealth, or honor, nor life of your enemies, neither yet have you asked long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge my people over whom I have made king. In one of our prayers, and I try to pray virtually every day, Father in Heaven, please give me the gifts necessary, wisdom, discernment, and all of the things that have to do with being what you want me to be and leading as you want me to lead, to fulfill whatever you have for me in my life. And everybody, everybody, has certain gifts, and God is expecting you to use those gifts. Now, one of the first things that Solomon did after this prayer and after he was given wisdom, notice what he did, chapter 3, verse 1. Then Solomon began to build the house of the eternal at Jerusalem, the temple. David had gathered the materials, the temple on Mount Moriah, where the eternal appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshing floor of Honan, the Jebusite. And he began to build the temple.

Verse 3, now these are the things wherein Solomon was entrusted, instructed for the building of the house of God, the link by the cubics after the first measure, and so on. It talks about how that he was to build the temple. And Solomon then, we want to go back now to 1 Kings chapter 3 and verse 3, I think it is.

One of the first things that Solomon did, he married the daughter of Pharaoh. The daughter of Pharaoh is not 1 Kings. Let's look at 2 Chronicles 7 and see what this says.

We'll continue here, but one of the first things that Solomon did was to marry the daughter of Pharaoh. And of course, the daughter of Pharaoh was not a true believer. And before it was all over, Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines. Now let's go to 1 Kings chapter 11. In 1 Kings chapter 11, we'll notice here what this led to. Was Solomon thinking, I'm the exception, can I do this? What was in his mind? We read the prayer that he prayed when he first came to the throne in 1 Kings 11 verse 1. But King Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women in the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites, of the nations concerning which the Lord said in the children of Israel, You shall not go into them, neither shall they come into you, for surely they will turn your heart from after their gods, and Solomon clave unto them in love. And he had 700 wives, princes, 300 concubines, and his wives turned away his heart. He turned him away from true God, and Solomon, verse 6, went after Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Zidonians, after Milchon, the abominations of the Ammonites, and Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went out, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David, his father.

And you notice verse 9, And the Eternal was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned away from the eternal God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice.

So what was in Solomon's mind? Did he think that he was the exception? You know, there's not a verse per se that God said, Well, you need to do this rather than the other, because it was already written in the law. And the kings were supposed to copy out the law. Look at Deuteronomy 17 verse 18.

How would we know what to do? How do we know what to do? Well, the Bible says that they speak not according to the law and testimony, it's because there is no truth in them. How did Solomon know what to do? I don't know if Solomon did this or not. What is recorded here in Deuteronomy 17 and verse 18 was what the kings were supposed to do. And it shall be, when he sits upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of the law in a book, out of that which is before the priests, the Levites. So copy out the Scripture. See, the more ways that you can put into your sensory perception, the Word of God, the more apt it is to be retained in your consciousness and in your conscience. Conscious is awareness, and conscience is this sense of knowing what is right and what is wrong. Many of us wait to hear what God has already spoken. I mean, it's already here. We don't have to wait for him to say it. It's here already. The kings were supposed to copy out the law. And in many cases, not only has he spoken to us through his Word, but he has hit us over the head with the proverbial tuba-four to get us to see the error of our ways. What else can he do? Solomon apparently came to believe that he could manage 700 wives, 300 concubines, most of whom were idolaters, and still fear God. It was just a matter of time, though, before he would pay the price. There is no record, sadly, of Solomon ever repenting. Apparently, he thought he was the exception. Now, let's contrast David's reign with Solomon's. We'll go back in two with that for a few minutes here. One might say that David's sins were greater than Solomon's as far as the immediate result they were. But God looks on the heart in the long-term effect, the fruits, the general course and direction of a person's life, not just specifics. It also says, thankfully, in 1 John 1, if we confess our sins, if we repent of our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us of all unrighteousness. But that requires judgment. We have to judge ourselves and say, as a publican did. Remember the two went up in the temple to pray, and the Pharisee prayed that he thanked God. He was not like other men, and he extolled all his virtues of tithing. And the publican, not so much as lifting his head, said, Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner. He judged himself. And the question was, Jesus said, well, who do you think went to his house justified, the Pharisee or the publican?

And people talk about wanting mercy. There's a verse there in James, I'm sort of off the track now, but I... There's a verse there in James that says, this is in chapter 2, that mercy glories against judgment. How does that happen? See, mercy glories against judgment because if you judge yourself and repent and cry out for God's mercy, see, that judgment is not a way with. He's faithful and just. Forgive us if we confess our sins. We judge ourselves and repent. He's faithful to forgive us and cleanse us of all unrighteousness. Therefore, mercy glories against judgment. And then mercy can be extended.

So God looks on the heart. As I've said so often, God is more interested in what we are becoming than what we are necessarily achieving or doing. Perhaps David's three greatest sins in the minds of people was the one with Bathsheba. He committed adultery with her, got her pregnant, the child died. In trying to cover up that sin, he plotted deliberately the death of her husband Uriah, sent him to the front lines, and he was killed. Then he numbered Israel, resulting in the death of thousands. But David sinned and turned to God. Solomon sinned and turned to idols. David, from the beginning, sought God above all else. Solomon sought out the inventions of man. You can read about it in Ecclesiastes chapter 2 of all the things that he had. I mean, just what he served for meals during the day was a mind-boggling thing. And he got so much gold, and he was the one who built the temple. In fact, it's called Solomon's Temple, and the name Solomon literally means peace. Solomon's early reign was a type of the millennium, each person dwelling under his own vine and fig tree and faring sumptuously. But, good start, not a good finish. Why did God say, in 1 Kings 5.15, in 1 Kings 15.5, only in the matter of Uriah was God so upset with David? See, in the matter of Uriah, David sat down and thought about, how can I cover this up? How can I make this so the people won't know what I really did? So he calls in this officer, and they hatch the plot Uriah said to the front line, and he's killed. He's a premeditated thought. In that case, apparently David thought he was the exception. In comparing David and Solomon's writing, I'm struck with one thing. David's writings center around searching, hungering for God. Let's note a few examples of that. Are we hungering, thirsting for God? We sang that as the deer last evening. Let's look at Psalm 42.

Psalm 42, verse 1, As the heart pants after the water brooks, so pants my soul after you, O God, my soul, thirst for God, for the living God, when shall I come and appear before God? Just can't wait.

In Psalm 119, verse 97, we oftentimes sing this about, O, how I loit is my meditation all the day. If you've not spent a lot of time in Psalm 119 through the years, today would be a good day to start. In Psalm 119, verse 97, O, how I loit is my meditation all the day, through your commandments you have made me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers for your testimonies or my meditation. I understand more than the ancients because I keep your precepts. I refrain my feet from every evil way that I may keep your word. Look at Psalm 19. In Psalm 19, not only did David think about what he had done, but what was in his heart, and that God would reveal even the contents of his heart to him. In Psalm 19, verse 12, Who can understand his errors, cleansing me from secret faults? They haven't come to my attention yet, but I want to know what's there. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over me. Then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. The great transgression, one of the great transgressions, of course, Saul committed a great transgression in that he presumed to go ahead and offer sacrifice, whereas that was not his prerogative to do.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation in my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Somewhere along in the early 60s, the town we were living, I was teaching and coaching at that time, and they'd have the verse of the day, sort of like we have the verse of the day in the bulletin, and this one day was the verse. Psalm 19.14, I cut it out and put it on my desk, and I saw that every day there for months, and it's still one of the great benchmarks, I would say, in my life, and hopefully it could be in yours as well, and probably it already is.

The only way that we can truly be happy and at peace with ourselves is to turn to God with our whole heart, and time after time, that's what David did. In spite of all of the grievous sins that he committed, he did do that, where there's no evidence that Solomon ever did. We are in the fight for eternal life, not earthly promotion. We must keep our eyes on the goal, on the crown of life. God has a picture of each one of us right now. How do you think God views you as you sit here this morning, as I stand here today?

What does God think of me? What does God think of you? How does he view you? Do you think about that? I wonder what God thinks of me.

In Isaiah 66, if we'll notice that, there are several pages, several pages of Isaiah 66.

Thus says the Lord, verse 1, The heaven is your throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house that you would build unto me, and where is the place of my rest? For all these things hath my hand made, and all these things have been, says the Eternal, but to this man will I look. Is God looking to you? Is He looking to me? To this man will I look.

Even to him that is poor and contrite spirit, and trembles at my word.

God is long suffering. He is not willing that any should perish, but be not deceived. We are in a spiritual battle, and we are being judged now. Judgment is now on the house of God, and God is trying to communicate with each one of us.

And of course, He sent prophets to Israel, prophet after prophet, as Jesus talks about in Matthew 23. I sent you prophets, and you killed all of them. O Israel, O Jerusalem, how oft would I have gathered you together, even as a mother hen would gather her chicks? But you would not. And it's always easy to harden your heart and to turn the other way. But there is a great danger in hardening your heart, and thinking, oh well, why should I hear His voice today? Look at Proverbs 29.1. I'll show you one big reason. One big reason.

You know, we have all witnessed, from time to time, people hardening their heart. And it seems that people today are so hardened in so many ways that nothing shocks anymore. I mean, this week, a former student goes into a high school, and he just starts spraying bullets everywhere, and people dropping like flies, and 17 dead, several taken to the hospital. And you think about, in the wake of that, how do those parents feel this morning? They are the victims of time and chance, and those young lives snuffed out. And so, we see, we hear, and yet, it seems that nothing really changes. And we have become inured to that which is going on about us. But there is this warning here. Look at Proverbs 29.1. He that being often reproved hardens his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed in that without remedy. See, there comes a certain point of time, like it says in Genesis 6.3, My spirit shall not always strive with humankind.

You can deceive yourself, and come to think that God is the way that you are. Now, look at this Psalm, Psalm 50. In Psalm 50, this is quite the Psalm. It has many aspects to it, but we're going to focus on the last part. In verse 15 is this great and wonderful promise, Psalm 50, verse 15, And call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me. But under the wicked God says, What have you to do to declare my statues, or that you should take my covenant in your mouth, seeing you hate instruction? You see, you can't have it both ways. You can't feign to be this, and yet in your heart be something else.

Seeing you hate instruction, and cast my words behind you. When you saw a thief, then you consented with him, and have been a partaker with adulterers. You gave your mouth to evil, and your tongue framed deceit. You sat and spoke against your brother. You slandered your own mother's son. These things have you done, and I kept silence. See, in Ecclesiastes it says, because sentence is not executed speedily against an evil work, therefore the sons of men's heart is continually set on evil. He's not going to do anything. Oh, yeah, he's going to do. Be not deceived.

But I will reprove you, and set them in order before your eyes. Now consider this. You that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. Of course, that's not a politically correct statement.

Whosoever offers praise glorifies me, and to him that orders his conduct right, will I show the salvation of God. Be it known that every thought, idea, word, experience, perception, action has its effect, and they're either building you, edifying you, comforting you, exhorting you, or they are destroying the very fiber of your inner being. And we will all pay the price. But the good news is, we can repent. We can turn to God. He will remove your sins as far as the east is from the west, as he says in Psalm 103. It seems that in the course of human behavior and discourse, that people come to the point that they do what you might describe as crossing the line. You don't want to ever cross the line. You don't want for your conscience to ever be seared.

The conscience can be seared little by little, or it can be seared almost overnight.

For most people, it's little by little. What is the line? The line is the determination to please God and base your life on the two great commandments. Regardless of your personal circumstances or the consequences for doing that which is right, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul. The second commandment is like unto it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. Then it says, on these two, paying all the law and the prophets, the whole ball of wax is right there.

So the contrast to the determination to please God and all your actions, on the other side of crossing the line, you know that people have crossed the line in rejecting God's way of life. When no appeal based on the Word of God, no appeal based on common sense and logic, no appeal to emotion or anything will turn them from their course. They have become evil to the core, yet they may have the appearance of righteousness. They are bound and determined to have their say, to do what they want to do, nurture their bitterness, and at the same time feel as if they are justified. We see this kind of mindset from the leaders of the land to people that claim to be converted. Note what God says about crossing the line. Look at Matthew 7.21. In Matthew 7.21, you see, you could even be doing good works. In Matthew 7 and verse 21, Not everyone that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of my Father, which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, and in your name have cast out devils, and in your name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I know you not, depart from me, you that work iniquity. For he that says that he knows God and keeps not his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. The message here is that you cannot make God over in your own image, and God today is speaking to any one of us. If you continually cross the line, fail to let God direct your steps, your conscience will become seared, as it says in 2 Timothy chapter 4.

So today we've issued a clear clarion call to do the right thing. From the sermonette to here today, become as God is. You're familiar with the first three verses of 1 Corinthians 13. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. Though I have all knowledge, though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, though I give my body to be burned and have not charity, if I'm not becoming as God is, it profits me nothing. So it is from the heart. God has clearly spoken to all of us today through His Word. The Word of God cries out, This is the way, walk you in it. Enter you in at the straight gate, for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leads to destruction. And many there be which go in there at, because straight is the gate, and narrow the way which leads unto life. And few there be that find it. And always remember that every action God will bring you into judgment.

Either for repentance and forgiveness, or be not conceived God is not mocked, for whatsoever man soweth, that shall ye also reap. And so we conclude today with the exception. There are no exceptions.