A CASTAWAY


A. "LEST THAT BY ANY MEANS, WHEN I HAVE PREACHED TO OTHERS, I MYSELF SHOULD BE A CASTAWAY." - 1 Cor. 9:27
  1. This statement by Paul speaks volumes:
    1. It exposes the man-made theory of "once in grace, always in grace" as a deception.
    2. For, if it were true, as alleged by the theorists, "once saved always saved", why speak of the possibility of becoming a castaway?
  2. Paul was a realist; he was too practical to dally with a bogy dread:
    1. He knew and he taught that salvation is conditional.
    2. To him it was a most serious matter to devote a whole life to the service of God, and yet realize the ever present danger, of possibility, of being a castaway - EXAMPLES -
      1. Saul had been chosen by God to be king over Israel, yet, he became a castaway.
      2. Judas was one of the twelve chosen by the Lord, yet, he became a castaway - John 6:70; Matt. 27:1-5
B. LET US CONSIDER PAUL'S DEEP CONCERN OF KEEPING FROM BEING A CASTAWAY
  1. That great and dedicated student of the Bible and human nature knew only too well:
    1. That man, in his very nature, is surrounded by human frailty - Ps. 103:13, 14; he writes about it - Rom. 7:8-26
    2. That Satan is well informed about our weakness. He knew Peter's weakness - Luke 22:31; Mark 14:66-71; 2 Tim. 2:26
  2. He knew very well that so long as we are in a state of imperfection, incompletion, we must be on guard lest we do become a castaway:
    1. Ananias and his wife became castaways - Acts 5:1-11
    2. The record of history knows many such victims of satanic delusions - 1 Tim. 1:19
    3. A man of God became a castaway - 1 Ki. 13:21
    4. We, too, know that God is not a respecter of person; he will deal with us as our works shall be - Acts 10:34, 35
  3. Man is, by his creation and redemption, a free moral agent:
    1. He has the power of choice - Rev. 22:17; Deut. 30:15, 16
    2. If that were not so, then why do we find the phrase: "whosoever will" repeatedly in the Bible? Rev. 22:17; John 7:37
    3. Man is imperfect in his knowledge; and he does not measure up to God's requirement - Rom. 3:23
    4. So long as that is true, it remains true also that he must be ever on guard in word and deed, lest he become a castaway.
C. BUT LET US COME CLOSER TO OUR OWN EXPERIENCE
  1. Who is he that has not moments in life when he gives serious thought to:
    1. The possibility of becoming a castaway.
    2. David was deeply concerned about this ever present danger - Ps. 139:23
    3. Would it not be wise, on our part, to pray with David, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts."
  2. There is a blessing in serious concern about our state and relationship with God and His word:
    1. It will lead us to daily examine ourselves in the light of God's word and our personal experience - 2 Cor. 13:5
    2. It will lead us to free ourselves from the sins that beset us and sap the spiritual energies out of our lives - Heb. 12:1
    3. It will make us conscious of our need of keeping very close to our blessed Saviour in thought, word, and action.
    4. The admonition of Paul is very timely when he writes, "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" - Phil. 2:12
    5. It was he who says, "I have no confidence in the flesh" - Phil. 3:3
  3. A few rules for our life may be useful:
    1. Make it a daily duty to prayerfully check your life against the possibility of drifting away from the Lord - Heb. 2:1-3
    2. Pray without ceasing - 1 Tim. 5:17


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