So many people who come to Christianity want to know where the line is between being a Christian and living in the world. They ask for the list of rules. Ultimately trying to find out what all they can do without getting in trouble. In reality, there is not a long list of rules dictating what a Christian can and cannot do, even though some seem to imply it exists. Actually, there is a lot more that God’s people are allowed to do then many may realize. But does that mean you should do those things just because there is not a hard rule against them?
Paul speaks about this twice in his first letter to the church in Corinth. The first time he points out the freedom Christians have. But it is quick to add that not all things are good for them. Stating also that we should not allow anything to control us.
1 Corinthians 6:12 (ESV)
12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.
The next time Paul brings up this concept he again points to our freedom and that even though you can still do not always mean you should. Yet this time he takes things in a slightly different direction. By point to the fact that not everything you can do will build up your faith. More often than not many things that are not directly spoken against in the scripture will still have a hand in tearing down your faith.
1 Corinthians 10:23 (ESV)
23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.
As Christians, we should not just look for what we can do. Instead, we should look at everything through the lens of is this good for me, Will it improve my walk with God or take me away from God. This is what we already do in many other areas of our lives. For instance, a person could survive on eating only McDonalds but that does not mean you should. Because you will see adverse effects on the way in which you are able to live your life. You would still be alive but not in the shape you would have been if you had chosen to do something good for you. Not just something you were able to do and possibly enjoyed for a short time.
The same can be said for our Christian lives. When we decide to do something just because we can and there is no rule against it. Just because an action is not directly spoken against in scripture does not mean it is good for our faith. For instance, there is nothing directly wrong with watching television. But when it begins to take you away from time spent in prayer or the Bible it is actively tearing down your faith. Not building it up as should be the focus of every Christian.
When something is identified in our life that takes away from our faith we should remove it immediately. Especially if it could lead us down the wrong path ultimately ending in hell. Jesus made a point of saying it is better to get to Heaven without something in your life. Then to go to hell with it. Even if that thing is as important to you as you hand, foot, or even eye.
Matthew 5:29-30 (ESV)
29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
Of course, that sounds pretty harsh but it is such a true statement. Just think would not be willing to give up anything if it would ensure your salvation? Allowing you to receive the gift of eternal life in the glory of Heaven. So don’t allow something that is not spoken of in the Bible to cause you to forfeit all you have worked so hard to gain. Instead, remove it from your life now while there is still time.
I feel as though I must stress the point that Christians should not look at things like I can do these things but not that. Or even I am allowed to do these things but not those. It is, of course, important to know what is and is not sinful. So we can be sure not to walk down the wrong path. But you must realize that God is not going to look at a checklist to see if you will gain acceptance to His kingdom. He will judge you based on your actions but also look at your heart and the motive behind your actions.
Psalm 7:9 (ESV)
9 Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end,
and may you establish the righteous—
you who test the minds and hearts,
O righteous God!
Proverbs 6:2 (ESV)
2 if you are snared in the words of your mouth,
caught in the words of your mouth,
So be mindful of what you should and should not do. But also remember that your motive matters when it comes to salvation. Doing the bare minimum to be saved is not an option presented in the Bible. All Christians are only given one option in the scripture. Serve God because you know who He is and believes that the Bible to be His inspired word. Which should cause you to live according to the said word. Doing all you can to bring glory to God while leading others to a right relationship with Him.
Please see that while it is so much you can rightly do as a Christian. That does not mean you should. One small thing may be the gateway to you stumbling away from the Lord. Causing you to leave the narrow path and end up on the wide path that leads to hell.
Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV)
13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
I hope you will approach everything in a new light. Not simply wanting to know if you can get away with it. But instead of choosing to look at what you do to evaluate if it is good for your relationship with God. Our goal should be to put that which will build up our faith first. Choosing to exclude all that which will tear down our faith.
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