Christian Living
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:23
We have a rule in our house: NO jumping on the furniture! It's a very simple yet practical rule, I think. It's useful for preventing bodily harm and more importantly, it ensures the safety of my furniture!
Last week, I dropped my son off at a friend's house while I took advantage of an opportunity to serve at our church. There, that decree does not apply to beds. That's not a problem because I expect my rules to be followed in EVERY location...period. Apparently, we need to work on that concept because when I arrived to pick him up, he ran up to me with a bruised and bloodied ear. I comforted him briefly until I found out how it happened that is. My friend attempted to come to his rescue by pointing out that jumping on the bed is allowed at their house, but I was unmoved. I need for my son to understand that rules are different everywhere you go, and sometimes there may not be any rules in place, but that doesn't mean its OK to do something he knows is wrong.
Do you think that's what God expects from us? Just maybe we'll still be answerable for our conduct even when there is no one looking. Do you suppose that even though the Bible doesn't clearly spell out every little detail of what's acceptable and pleasing to God, He's still holding us accountable for our actions? I certainly think so. I believe that as we stay in close connection with Him through prayer and reading His Word, the Lord will impart not only the wisdom and discernment to make beneficial decisions for ourselves, but also the will to do so.
104 I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.
125 I am your servant; give me discernment
that I may understand your statutes. ~ Psalm 119:104 & 125
What does that mean? Well, obviously, the Bible does not directly address our modern conveniences and hang-ups, but just because you CAN watch TV or peruse the internet for six hours out of the day, doesn't mean you should. You may have a little extra money this month, but that doesn't mean you should run out and blow it all on skinny jeans, swag collar sweaters and Uggs to keep up with the girls in the church band. We have the freedom to listen to whatever music we choose, however, there's little benefit to clogging the pores of our souls with the tasteless trash that's broadcasted through all kinds of media outlets these days.
Hey, I'm not here to judge you or your habits and routines - I've got enough of my own cleaning up to do. I just want to challenge you along with myself to start searching for clarity on the "gray areas" in the world. It's so tempting to follow suit when "everyone else is doin' it." When so many people are caught up in doing the same seemingly harmless things over long periods of time, it's hard to differentiate between good and bad; beneficial and harmful. What's OK for someone else in whatever stage of the game they are in, may not be OK for you or me. We all need to stay grounded in Scripture and diligent in prayer seeking clarity on all our ways. This journey is about growth so let's not stunt our maturation in the faith by divin' off all the cliffs this world has to offer!
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. ~ Hebrews 4:12-13
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