I invite you this morning to
turn in your Bibles with me to Psalm 119. Most of what I have to say this
morning is concerning a term, a term mentioned 1,231 times
in the Scriptures. According. You think he means for us to
pay attention to the term? If I counted right, he uses it
11 times in Psalm 119 alone. According. And every time he
uses it, he says according to the Word of God. I have no other
source of information When it comes to God, and when it comes
to spiritual things, I'm to take these things like, well, I think. Well, just throw that in the
dung heap. It don't matter what you think. It matters what God
says. What He says. According to the Word of God. The term means a manner corresponding
or conforming to, that's what it means, depending on, as stated
by, in accord with, or in harmony with. As a noun, it's an official
agreement. It's a treaty. So it's accord. And we often hear it used in
its shorter version, accord, and one way it's used has to
do with being in one accord. One accord. So when you're seeing this term,
according, it has all these meanings attached to it. So what's our interest in the
term? Well, because the very salvation of our souls has an
according attached to it. Look here in Psalm 119, verse
41. This is not my text, but this
is one of the 11 times that he mentions it. He said, let thy
mercies come also unto me, O Lord, even thy salvation according
to thy word. If my salvation is not according
to his word, I don't have the salvation of God. That's what
David's saying here. The salvation of men and women's
souls is not left to the imaginations of men. You're not left to figure
it out. Back of it is that you'll never
figure it out. God has hid these things from
the wise and prudent. You're not going to figure it
out. The salvation of men and women's souls Not left to your
imagination. It's not your opinions are mine,
or your ideas are mine, or your interpretations are mine that
determine the outcome of this. It's the Word of God. The Word
of God. And the Bible is the book of
God. That's His book. His book. Every time the Word
is used in this psalm, it's tied to the Word of God. I read in God's book that all
scripture is given by inspiration of God. Men wrote, their personalities
bleed into the writings. If you read Paul long enough,
you'll recognize Hebrews, although it don't have his signature on
it, you'll recognize that as Paul's writings. His personality
just bleeds right into the scriptures. Same thing with Peter, same thing
with John. All these men. But they were
all inspired of God to wrote. Men wrote. Here's what it says. Holy men of God wrote as they
were moved by the Holy Ghost. And because they did, the Holy
Scriptures are profitable for doctrine. There was a man came to visit
us down at the old church. He wanted to debate some things. And I said, well, I'll talk to
you about these things, but we're going to stay in the confines
of these two covers. And he just went like that and
turned around and left. The Holy Scriptures are profitable
for doctrine. You want to know what to use
to establish doctrine? The Word of God. It's also profitable for reproof. Will I reproof somebody? If I
do, I better use the word of God. It don't matter if you wrinkle
my brow, but it matters if you wrinkle his. It's also profitable for correction. Somebody said, this is what I
believe. Well, I got a problem with that. It says here, you
see what I'm saying? And it's profitable, he said,
for instruction in righteousness. In 2 Timothy 4, verse 2, Paul
says to young Timothy, preach the Word. He said, I'm taking
you to witness before God. Preach the Word. Don't go apart
from the Word. Preach the Word. It doesn't matter
what you think. Well, I just felt led. How many
times have I heard that? Well, you're not being led in
the Word of God. You're not being led by God. So whoever led you,
they led you down the wrong path. Preach the Word. Study, he said
to young Timothy, to show thyself approved unto God, a workman
that needeth not to be ashamed. How are you going to do that?
Rightly dividing. the truth, rightly dividing the
truth. And everything we do as believers
is according to the Word of God. As believers we're born again,
not of corruptible seed, but incorruptible by the Word of
God. And this is the Word which by the Gospels preached unto
you. Am I saved? Am I a believer? Am I one of God's elect? It's
all according. It's all according. Now I want
to use Psalm 119 as my text this morning. And here's what he says. And you young women don't think
that I'm just talking to young men. He's using this word young
men the same as he uses that word man. He's talking about
mankind. Young men, young people. Psalm
119, Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way. Huh? Not cleanse his habits. Not cleanse
his dress. Cleanse his way. After the way
they call heresy, Paul said, I worship God. You remember what our Lord said
to, who was it, Thomas? He said, now, I'm going to prepare
a place for you. And I'm going to return and receive you unto myself.
And he said, and the way you know. Uh-oh. He said, wait a minute. We don't
know where you're going. He said, you know where I'm going.
And you know the way. Was it Thomas? He said, uh-uh,
wait a minute, we don't know where you're going. You're talking
about dying, talking about raising from the dead, talking about
going to, we don't know where you're going. And how can we
know the way? Christ said, Thomas, I am the
way. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? His way, the way he's talking
about is a true knowledge of God, a saving knowledge of God,
which he tells us is eternal life in John 17, 3 and 1 John
5, 20. Unconverted, unregenerate men
and women all have their ideas and concepts of God. They get
a little here and a little there, and a little from their friends,
go to school and they meet people and these people were raised
in whatever and they got a little bit to contribute and this one
does and then you get old enough and your own feelings and concepts
begin to creep in and pretty soon you got a way. But the way's all messed up.
There's a way that seems right unto the man and the end thereof
is destruction. Unregenerate. Unconverted men
and women all have their ideas and concepts of God. They grew
up in this religion and that one, this loved one and that
one, and they formed their opinions. Paul says this about them, having
their understanding darkened. Darkened. Oh, I tell you, when
friends of this world begin to contribute in, it's like God
pulls the curtain down. their understandings darkened.
They're alienated from the life of God. What is the life of God?
That's the true knowledge of God. They're alienated from that.
They don't have that. Being alienated from the life
of God through the ignorance that's in them. False religion
is nothing in the world but ignorance. False is I did them things in
ignorance. I had a zeal of God, but not
according to knowledge. And just like his kinsmen, he
was going about to establish his own righteousness, because
he didn't understand anything about the righteousness, the
true righteousness of God in Christ. They have a way formed
in their mind, but that way is polluted. What pollutes it? Well, first
of all, the corrupt nature of man. That pollutes it. The fallen influence of man and
the false religion of man. If I am to cleanse my way from
the way of corrupt man, I must take heed according to the Word
of God. Isn't that what he said? Wherewithal
shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto. Don't ignore it. Everything in
the world takes preeminence in the life of a young person except
the eternality of his soul. That's the last thing he wants
to think about. I've been there. I don't need
you to confess to me, I've already been there. You think you're
six feet tall and bulletproof. Exactly what you think. I'm not even going to tell you
some of the things I do. If I am to cleanse my way from
the way of corrupt man, I must take heed according to the Word
of God. So what does the Word of God
say about the salvation of our souls? Well, the first thing
that he tells us is that the salvation of our souls began
in the eternal purpose of God. If you're really here this morning
and interested in your soul. Now I tell you, you can do all
kinds of things in this life, and you will. But in the end,
in the end, the most valuable thing you possess is your soul.
And if you're worried about it, if you're concerned about it,
if God's given you an interest in it, then you need to learn
something about the Word of God and what it says about your soul.
And the first thing he tells us is this salvation. God's going
to save somebody. I hope I'm one of them. But he's
going to save a people. He's going to save somebody.
Thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people
from their sin. Somebody's going to be saved. Well, tell me something about
this salvation. It began in the purpose of God.
That's what I know about it. The old writers used to use a
phrase, the council halls of eternity. Why do they do that? Because you don't have any concept
of eternity. That's why. Way back younger. Way back there. Further than
your mind can comprehend. God had a purpose. And his purpose
is to manifest the glory of his name in the salvation of a people.
And he's going to save them and his sons. And He's going to manifest
His glory in it. Our salvation began in eternity, and it's the eternal
purpose of grace. 2 Timothy 1.9, Paul said, God
has saved us, Timothy. God did this. And then He 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 the world began. Why are you reading that? Because
I want you to understand about this salvation. It's according to the purpose
of God. according to His own purpose
and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world
began. Men hunt for reasons in themselves to believe and repent. Well, I'm not ready yet. When
I get things in order, I hear all these things. I've said these
things in ignorance. Men hunt for reasons in themselves
to believe, to repent, and walk with God. And there are reasons. But here's the main reason, God's
own purpose and grace. Angels sinned, but there was
no remedy for their sin giving. There was no preparation made
for them in all eternity. You think about that. What if
God had not purposed to save a people? The first manifestation of your
sin sunk your soul into hell forever. And no remedy. Huh? Jude verse 6. He says, The angels which kept
not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath
reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment
of that great day. There's no remedy for their sin. The reason why God saved sinners
is because He has an everlasting purpose of grace, and this purpose
and grace was given us in Christ before the foundation of the
world, before He ever created anything. God had a purpose to
save sinners. He tells us in Romans 8.28 that
His beloved people are the called according to His purpose. All
right? God's purpose of grace begins
in their eternal election. How do I know God's going to
save the people? Because He chose them to save. And He put them
in His Son. And His Son cannot fail. He's
going to save the people. Who's He going to save? All His
elect. Who are they? I don't have a clue. I don't
have a clue. That's why I preach to everybody.
I don't know who they are. But I do know this. You can tell
who they are because of how they respond to your preaching. That's just so. All of God's purpose blessings
are according as He has chosen us in Him before the foundation
of the world. I read it to you in Ephesians
chapter 1. And Paul talks about his people,
the Israelites, whose end seemed to be utter destruction. He said
we've been like Sodom and Gomorrah, but God chose a people. He goes
on to say that even in that day of perdition and denial of Christ,
there's a remnant according to the election of grace. And if
by grace, then is it no more works, otherwise grace is no
more worth. God has a people. He's going
to save them. That's good news to a sinner.
He's not going to destroy everybody. He's not going to cast everybody
into hell. He's going to save some. Men despise the sovereign grace
of God, but election is the way of salvation, not the reason
for damnation. Is that right? Election is an open door, not
a closed one. He said, you have not chosen
me, but I have chosen you. Chosen them to what? I've ordained
you that you should go forth and bring forth fruit and that
your fruit should remain. I've chosen you. God hath from
the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of spirit
and belief of the truth, whereunto he called you by our gospel.
What did he choose them to? Salvation. He didn't choose them
to damnation. Damnation is your fault. You
want to hunt for the reason for your damnation, all you got to
do is look inside. Go look in the mirror. That's
the reason. He said if he had not chosen
us, we'd never have chosen him. Huh? That's good news to a sinner,
isn't it? I never would have chosen him,
but he chose me. Our election is specifically
said to be concerning our salvation. And then thirdly, God's purpose
of grace according to election comes to the sinner by way of
the person of Jesus Christ. We're chosen in him before the
foundation of the world that we should be holy without blame
before him in love, having predestinated us under the adoption of children
by Jesus Christ himself. according to the good pleasure
of His will. Salvation is in a person. The
reason for election is the glory of God. It is Ephesians 1, 6,
to the praise of the glory of His grace wherein He hath made
us accepted in the blood. He tells us we have redemption
in Christ through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Now
listen. to the riches of His grace. That's why you got it. To save a people for the glory
of His great name, our God appointed for us a representative man and
substitute. But He's so much more than just
an appointed man. He's God come into the flesh. Is He not? If Jesus Christ is
not God come into the flesh, He's not the Christ. God himself used divinity into
humanity and brought about a divine union. God sent forth his son, he said,
made of a woman. I have no concept of that. Do
you? Made of a woman, made under the
law to redeem them that were under the law. Everything that
God required of the sinner, He provided in His Son. He said,
of God are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom,
righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Everything God
required, He provided in His Son. made him to be under us, these
things. Ephesians 111, in whom also we
have obtained, we've gained the right and privilege, have a part
and lot in an inheritance being predestinated according to the
purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his
own will. It is the very will and purpose
of God in his working to bring to pass the dispersion of the
inheritance of the children of God. What am I talking about? I'm talking about faith. Where'd
your faith come from? By grace are you saved through
faith, and that faith not of yourselves. You didn't conjure
it up. You didn't clench your fist and
determine to believe. God gave it to you. He gave it
to you. You didn't figure it out. He
gave you the revelation. Oh, I was just sitting in my
closet. You're a liar. You're a liar. How shall you
hear without a preacher? That Ethiopian eunuch, at least
he was sane enough to confess. You understand what you're reading?
He said, how can I? Except some man declare it to
me. Do you know? I do. Get up here
and sit down. Tell me what this means. Tell
me what this means. Oh, it's the very will and purpose
of God and His working to bring to pass the dispersing of the
inheritance of the children. He made us meet to be partakers
of the inheritance of enlightened saints. And everything God has
for chosen sinners is in His Son, Jesus Christ. In Him, he
said, dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and you
are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality
and power. Christ in you, the hope of glory. Not another Jesus, but the Christ
of God in you. What's your hope? I ask people
that sometimes, and they go in this big long spiel. They say,
what's your hope? Christ in you. Isn't that your
hope? I don't have anything else. Well,
you got to do this and you got to do that. I don't know anything
about that, but I'll tell you this. Everything God requires,
He provided in His Son. If I have Him, I've got it all.
He that gets the Son gets it all. You remember that illustration.
He gets it all. were made accepted into blood,
redeemed by his blood, forgiven of our sins according to the
riches of his grace. And then fourthly, there is an
according attached to the faith of God's elect. Paul said, he
hath abounded toward us. He did. In all wisdom and prudence. What's that? Find a guy, my son-in-law's
the best I've ever seen, to put puzzles together. He's got all
these pieces laid out there, and you grab this one, that one,
man, they just, I grab them, they don't fit. I beat on them,
they still don't fit. That's a prudent man, a prudent
man. Oh, my soul. Heath abounded toward us in all
wisdom and prudence. God knows how to put the puzzle
together, don't he? And he does. He does. I tell you, when I think about
what God does with me and my study, I just won't bother. I would never, ever look at a
verse of scripture and bring out of it what he gives to me.
Not in a million years. I understand as soon as I see
it, I understand where it came from. And I don't have to back
up one iota from it. I don't have to go read what
Gil said or what anybody else said. I know it comes from God. And I see it all in His Word. Man, it just opens up. When He reveals truth to you,
that truth opens up throughout the Scriptures. All of a sudden,
this means that. That means this. I see it. I
see it. Oh, in whom also we have obtained,
we gain the right, the privilege, all of these things. He's bounded
toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known unto us the
mystery of His will. What's God doing? He's saving
a people for His glory. Huh? Well, I don't know what
God's doing in Israel. I do. He's saving a people for
His glory. I don't know what's going on
in Russia. I do. God's saving a people for
the glory of His name. And there's going to be wars
and rumors of wars and it's going to go right on to the end. And
people will be scratching their head trying to figure out God's
will. God's will is to save His people. Glorify His name. And He's abounded
toward us. All wisdom and prudence hath
made known unto us the mysteries of His will according to His
good pleasure which He has purposed in Himself. Oh, I'm going to take that old
rebel, that Darwin Pruitt. I'm going to take him, and I'm
going to use him for my glory. I'm going to put a halt to him.
I'm going to turn him around, and I'm going to use him for
my glory. And he does it with every child of God. He intervenes. He said, that's
enough. And he stopped you. The old timers
called it being arrested by God. Arrested. You ever been arrested? Boy, they don't play. They don't play. Somebody filed a
false charge against me one time. The sheriff came out on a Sunday.
After the farm, I had a chainsaw I was cutting wood, and that
deputy sheriff got within about 50 yards of me, and he stopped,
put his hand on his pistol, and he said, put down that saw. I said, I'm just cutting it.
Put down the saw. He was serious as a heart attack.
I put down the saw. He took his hand off the pistol
and walked up and started talking to me. He arrested me. Took me to jail. I didn't do
anything. Not that time. Had to get bail to get out. Arrested. He arrested you. The Holy Spirit
of God will arrest a man. That's enough. You're done. His salvation is made known to
chosen sinners according to His good pleasure. 1 Corinthians 1.21, He pleased
God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. It's
not according to how clever men make it out to be, or prudent
men think it ought to be, or willful men are determined it
must be. It's according to His good pleasure. Untold millions of dollars are
spent every year on a ministry that is effectual in accomplishing
nothing but making religious proselytes. That's what it does. And speaking the truth in Christ,
oh, there is a way and Christ is the way. And speaking the
truth in Christ, we grow up into Him and all things, which is
the head, even in Christ, for whom the whole body fitly joined
together. It functions within itself according
to the effects of working, in the measure of every part making
increase of the body under the edifying of itself in love."
That effectual working of God. Everything just worked like clockwork.
His providence. Didn't his providence unfolded
when he saved your soul? Everything just happened at the
exact right time. This man just happened to be
there. Somebody said his luck would
have it. I don't know about that. But God's providence don't fail.
He don't make any false moves. Oh, we grow up into Him. Listen to these scriptures. Who
then is Paul? Who's Paul? And who is Apollos? A minister by whom you believed
even as the Lord gave to every Born again by his incorruptible
word, and this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto
you. Of his own will, James said, begat he us with the word of
truth. All right, 50. Our sonship and
adoption has an according attached. Titus 3, 7. That being justified
by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of
eternal life. Paul tells us in Romans 3.24,
being justified freely by His grace through the redemption
that's in Christ Jesus. Romans 4.25, who being delivered
for our offenses, was raised again for our justification.
God has a people He chose in His Son, and He's for them, and in union with Him, And He
lived a perfect life under the law, and whose crowning obedience
was His death on the cross, a substitutionary death, the just for the unjust,
why? That He might bring us to God. And when the fullness of the
time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made
under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that
we might receive the adoption of sons. There's an according.
attached to our adoption. And then lastly, there is an
according attached to our fitness for eternity. We're not fit for
eternity right now. Philippians 3.21, he said, who
shall change our vile bodies. You here, you're not a believer.
You never thought the first time about having a vile body. But
that's what you are. That's what you are. That he
may change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto
his glorious body, according to the working whereby he's able
to subdue all things to himself. What is a vile body? It's a body
defiled by sin. That's a vile body. God doesn't
tolerate sin, and we're sinners. A body consisting of frailty
and weakness, that's a vile body filled with disease. You think
that leper didn't think of himself as vile? He couldn't even talk,
the skin of his lips was falling off and bleeding and pus running
everywhere and he came up. You think he didn't consider
himself vile before Christ? In Acts 13, Paul declares how
David died and saw corruption. And his flesh rotted in the grave,
but he whom God raised from the dead saw no corruption. And the
scripture said our God is able to save to the uttermost them
that come unto God by him. To the uttermost. Somebody said
to the guttermost, but he says here to the uttermost. That is
total 100% That's how he makes us fit for
eternity. Wherewithal shall a young man
cleanse his ways? First of all, he's going to have
to take heed to it. He's going to have to think about
it. He's going to have to realize he has a soul and that there
is a God and that he has to face this God. He's going to have
to take heed to it. How's he going to do that? He's
getting told this and that and something else from every direction.
according to the Word of God. See what God has to say about
it. One fellow told me he went home. He said, I went home and
I meant to prove you wrong about everything you said. And I said,
well, what happened? He said, I found out in trying
to prove you wrong that everything you said was right. Everything you said was right.
And now he said, I want to be baptized. Oh, may the Lord do
such work in us.