Borderline Living

Introduction:
    A. A man during civil war lived near border and wore blue coat and grey pants.
    B. There are but two spiritual kingdoms in the world.
        1. Power (kingdom) of darkness or the kingdom of the Son (Col. 1:13, 14)
        2. Broad or the narrow way (Matt. 7:13-14).
    C. Each of us occupies one of three positions to these kingdoms.
        1. Clearly in Satan’s kingdom.
        2. Clearly in the Lord’s kingdom.
        3. Trying to live on the border between the two (cf. Rev. 3:15; 1 Kings 18:21 ASV)
    D. Two kinds of people who are living close to the border:

Discussion:
I. Citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven.
    A. The Devil does not mind one entering the Kingdom – if he stays near the border (cf. Ex. 8:28).
        1. Want to be considered faithful, without really being faithful.
        2. Want to avoid discipline, without real commitment.
    B. There a two areas along the border that Christians need to watch:
        1. Areas where the line is clearly marked:
            a. Between honesty and dishonesty (cf. Rom. 12:17).
            b. Between stealing and honest labor (Eph. 4:28).
            c. Between lying and truth (Eph. 4:25)
            d. Between fornication and marriage (Heb. 13:4; 1 Cor. 7:2).
            e. Yet, some see how close they can get to the edge without falling off.
        2. Areas where the line may not be always as clearly marked:
            a. Between modesty and immodest apparel (1 Tim. 2:9).
            b. Between long (feminine) and short (masculine) hair (1 Cor. 11:14-15)
            c. Between faithfulness and unfaithfulness.
            d. Between “Christian graces” and their opposites (2 Pet. 1:5-8)
            e. Christians should go with the “clearly so” rather that “might be.” (Cf. Rom. 14:23)

II. Citizens of the Kingdom of Satan.
    A. Many live their lives close to the kingdom of God, but never in it.
        1. People like the scribe (cf. Mk. 12:32-34)
        2. People like the chief rulers (John 12:42).
        3. People like Felix (Acts 24:25).
        4. People like Agrippa (Acts 26:28).
        5. Many good moral and religious people.
    B. “Close only counts in horseshoes.”
        1. Moses was close enough to Canaan to see it. (Num. 20; Deut. 34:1-6)
        2. Foolish virgins close enough to supper to speak to the Lord through the door (Matt. 25:1-12).
        3. Rich young ruler close enough to eternal life to inquire and lack one things (Luke 18:18-23).

Conclusion:
    A. Where are you living your life?
        1. Clearly in the Devil’s kingdom, where no one will reasonably mistake you for a Christian?
        2. Clearly in the Lord’s kingdom, where no one will reasonably doubt that you are a Christian?
    B. If you are not a faithful Christian, how close are you?
        1. As an alien sinner, just few acts of obedience from the heart away?
        2. As a erring Christian, just a sincere confession and prayer away?