by Joseph Pauley, Belle WV

Discussion revolving around the interpretation and application of the Holy Scriptures has been interesting through the years. I've often heard remarks that sound wise but fall very short of what God had in mind. "All we need are the direct commands of Scripture." These remarks seem to limit God's ability to communicate with His people, as if He can only communicate in direct commandments. This couldn't be further from the truth.

There are so many worthwhile principles found in Scripture that aren't phrased in the form of a command. Sometimes these principles are far more reaching in their application than what is being dealt with in the specific context in which the principle is found. A good example of this is found in 1 Corinthians 10:23: "'All things are lawful,' but not all things are helpful. 'All things are lawful,' but not all things build up."

Some are bent on declaring, "All things are lawful." Paul doesn't necessarily concur with this brash statement. He points out some flaws with this type of thinking. Not everything is beneficial or edifying. There are some things that aren't worth doing simply because they are of no real benefit in assisting in spiritual maturity. They may not be wrong in and of themselves, but they are a waste of time.

Christians are about "redeeming the time." Christians are active in faith-development, not simply passive in trying to refrain from evil. Christians are on a journey toward heaven, not simply waiting at the heavenly bus stop.

Individual Christians as well as church leaders struggle with decisions that may seem morally neutral or in the realm of Christian liberty. How are these difficult decisions made? They are made from a central focus in life, that is, growing toward maturity in Christ. Sometimes the best question we can ask is: Will this really help me (or us) to move on to spiritual maturity? Some things may, in fact, be "lawful," but are still a waste of time.

Thank God for giving us commands, examples, necessary inferences, and guiding principles to live by.

Here are some reciprocal links -- sites that link to us. We can't vouch for their content nor web links, but we think they're worth a looksee. Most of them are really good stuff. If you know of a linked site that's not listed here, please email us.

Congregations

Alabama

Huntsville - Church of Christ at Moores Mill Road

Muscle Shoals - Highland Park church

Arkansas

Berryville church

El Dorado - College Avenue church

Paragould - Mountain Home church

California

San Jose - Central church

Indiana

Evansville - Oak Hill church

Kansas

Emporia church's Bible Resources list

Kentucky

Glasgow - South Green Street church

Mayfield - 7th and College church

Pikeville - Main Street church

Tennessee

Lawrenceburg - Midway church

Murfreesboro - Minerva Drive church

Texas

Abilene - Baker Heights church

Other Sites

All About Families Arkansas churches of Christ Churches of Christ Online GATidwell's Journal House to House/Heart to Heart, from the Jacksonville, Ala., congregation. MercEmail, a weekly devotional by Steve Higginbotham. Ohio Valley College The Old Paths Network The One True Church

Outside our circle

Carl's Librarian Ship Dayspring Church of the Nazarene