Post by Brother Ben on Oct 15, 2007 7:29:21 GMT -5
1Cr 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
1Cr 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
The difference between average Christianity and having power with God is found in these two verses. Many once saved, are happy to dwell in the land of Lawful. That is to say, they know they have done business with Christ for the forgiveness of sin and positionally stand justified with God. This is the average Christianity of our day that has no power to give joyful victorious living and the blessing of great influence on others for the cause of Christ. This is the believer who say things like, "I am under grace, not the law," and "Don't give me any of that legalism stuff." etc., never knowing legalism is the doctrine of obtaining salvation by works NOT godly standards for Christian living.
Will my television, less than music, questionable attire, etc., cause me to go to Hell? The answer is no, though it is the characteristic of many going there! No, as the scripture says:
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
But, notice what Paul said: "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient..." Yes, I am not bound by the law anymore to perform in order to obtain my salvation, but are the things I allow in my life expedient?
The dictionary definition of expedient is as follows:
1. tending to promote some proposed or desired object; fit or suitable for the purpose; proper under the circumstances: It is expedient that you go.
2. conducive to advantage or interest, as opposed to right.
3. acting in accordance with expediency.
I tend to see Paul meaning in line with description #2. We love to do those things that are conducive to the interstes we have, but not always those things that are of great value to the Lord. Is there a guage by which we can judge our elected activities and such? Yes.
Phil 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and [in] all judgment;
Phil 1:10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
We should abound more and more in the knowledge of the excellent things of God, and to have excellent judgment in order to avoid offence until the day of Christ. You will not find excellent judgment in a spirit of, "This is what I like." Instead, we need to be commited to seeking the Lord and finding out what is expedient to the cause of Christ and for those whom you have influence on, namely, spouse, children, family, friends, church, co-workers, etc.
So what is you guage. Preference? My brothers and my sisters, I recommend biblical principals rather preferences. Again, many if not most will agree with the modern, peace, grace, love, acceptance of all things even if they are anywhere from light gray to dark gray, but we need to be very careful of our measure because the enemy is not only busy in the dark and gray areas. Notice:
2Cr 11:13 For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Cr 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Cr 11:15 Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Just because something is called "Christian" does not mean it is from the realm of God's pure light, it just might be from the pits of Hell!
I hope this will cause us today to think about what we are doing, saying, listening to, dressing like, etc., because it is the difference between average and having the power of God.
Bro. Ben
1Cr 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
The difference between average Christianity and having power with God is found in these two verses. Many once saved, are happy to dwell in the land of Lawful. That is to say, they know they have done business with Christ for the forgiveness of sin and positionally stand justified with God. This is the average Christianity of our day that has no power to give joyful victorious living and the blessing of great influence on others for the cause of Christ. This is the believer who say things like, "I am under grace, not the law," and "Don't give me any of that legalism stuff." etc., never knowing legalism is the doctrine of obtaining salvation by works NOT godly standards for Christian living.
Will my television, less than music, questionable attire, etc., cause me to go to Hell? The answer is no, though it is the characteristic of many going there! No, as the scripture says:
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
But, notice what Paul said: "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient..." Yes, I am not bound by the law anymore to perform in order to obtain my salvation, but are the things I allow in my life expedient?
The dictionary definition of expedient is as follows:
1. tending to promote some proposed or desired object; fit or suitable for the purpose; proper under the circumstances: It is expedient that you go.
2. conducive to advantage or interest, as opposed to right.
3. acting in accordance with expediency.
I tend to see Paul meaning in line with description #2. We love to do those things that are conducive to the interstes we have, but not always those things that are of great value to the Lord. Is there a guage by which we can judge our elected activities and such? Yes.
Phil 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and [in] all judgment;
Phil 1:10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
We should abound more and more in the knowledge of the excellent things of God, and to have excellent judgment in order to avoid offence until the day of Christ. You will not find excellent judgment in a spirit of, "This is what I like." Instead, we need to be commited to seeking the Lord and finding out what is expedient to the cause of Christ and for those whom you have influence on, namely, spouse, children, family, friends, church, co-workers, etc.
So what is you guage. Preference? My brothers and my sisters, I recommend biblical principals rather preferences. Again, many if not most will agree with the modern, peace, grace, love, acceptance of all things even if they are anywhere from light gray to dark gray, but we need to be very careful of our measure because the enemy is not only busy in the dark and gray areas. Notice:
2Cr 11:13 For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Cr 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Cr 11:15 Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Just because something is called "Christian" does not mean it is from the realm of God's pure light, it just might be from the pits of Hell!
I hope this will cause us today to think about what we are doing, saying, listening to, dressing like, etc., because it is the difference between average and having the power of God.
Bro. Ben