|
|
A Principle for Decision-Making randal, April 9, 2003 at 8:46:00 PM BST
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. ... subscribe
|
 |
... home
... search this site ... columns and more ... about us ... who writes what when ... writer guidelines ... free online books ... get articles by e-mail New Additions
Update on FMag Forthright Magazine continues, more dynamic than ever! We have groups created for FMag on Facebook and the Churches of Christ Network. Announcement blog is up and going on Preachers Files. Email lists about FMag and FPress are available both on Yahoo and GoogleGroups. And, to top it all off, we're twittering for both on Twitter.com. by randal @ 1/20/09, 11:55 AM How to Make Sure That Your Judgment Is Flawless by Don Ruhl Read the Bible in a Year This evening read John 5:24--47 How to Make Sure That Your Judgment Is Flawless Yes, it is popular to say that we are not supposed to judge, but the truth is we all make judgments about many things daily. Otherwise, we would never succeed in life. The real question is what is our guide for judging. Why can we not simply follow the example of our Master and Lord? He said, 30 "I can of Myself ... more ... by diane amberg @ 5/18/05, 5:08 AM Do You Ever Feel Like Just a Name? by Don Ruhl Read the Bible in a Year This morning read First Chronicles 1--3 Do You Ever Feel Like Just a Name? Think on the manner, in which the Book of First Chronicles begins, 1 Adam, Seth, Enosh (1 Chr. 1:1). In this way begins the longest genealogy in the Bible. The names continue to the end of the ninth chapter! Were these just names? Adam; who is he? You know there is more in the Bible than the mere mention of his name in ... more ... by diane amberg @ 5/18/05, 5:05 AM ...
by Don Ruhl Read the Bible in a Year This evening read John 5:1--23 Jesus healed a man. Praise God! However, Jesus healed him on the Sabbath. Uh oh. Some people were ready to kill Jesus for this perceived violation of the Sabbath Law. 16 For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath (Joh. 5:16). Jesus did a good thing. Yet, people criticized Him severely for it. And they were not people ... more ... by diane amberg @ 5/18/05, 5:03 AM They Were His Servants by Don Ruhl Read the Bible in a Year This morning read Second Kings 24 and 25 They Were His Servants As the writer of Second Kings explains whom the Lord sent against Judah, the writer said that this was 2 ...according to the word of the LORD which He had spoken by His servants the prophets (2 Kin. 24:2). Those great men we have honored for centuries were nothing more than servants of the Lord God. What does that make us? Do you do something ... more ... by diane amberg @ 5/18/05, 5:01 AM ...
by Don Ruhl Read the Bible in a Year This evening read John 4:30--54 The disciples went into a town to buy food while Jesus remained out of the town. There He engaged a woman in conversation. When the disciples returned, here is what happened, 31 In the meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, "Rabbi, eat." 32 But He said to them, "I have food to eat of which you do not know" (Joh. 4:31, 32). As you read the Gospel According to John, watch ... more ... by diane amberg @ 5/18/05, 4:59 AM Having a Tender Heart by Don Ruhl Read the Bible in a Year This morning read Second Kings 22 and 23 Having a Tender Heart When Josiah heard the word of God for the first time, he tore his clothes, knowing of the wrath that was upon Jerusalem for the idolatry of his forefathers. Therefore, he sent messengers to a prophetess to inquire of the Lord. He did have a message for Josiah. God said through the prophetess, 19 "...because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before ... more ... by diane amberg @ 5/18/05, 4:56 AM
last updated: 8/25/12, 10:32 AM
online for 8240 Days
  powered by  |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||