Quote:
Originally Posted by Nitehawk013
I am working on a sermon/lesson for the end of this month on the issue of Lawful versus Expedient. It comes down to just this sort of thing. Obviously it isn't a strictly standards lesson. It goes into all areas of our Christian life.
Everyone gets so stuck on asking "am I allowed to ____" instead of asking the right question which is "should I ___" or "is it good for me and those around me if I ____". Everything is lawful for us now that we are in the new covenant. That doesn't mean we should do a whole lot of things that are not good for us. Just because God doesn't say "thou shalt not" doesn't mean we should go about doing it. We ought to have enough judgment, conviction and Holy Ghost to not do some things even if they are genuinely lawful for us.
I may lawfully get away with a good many things that we teach against. That doesn't mean doing those things is expedient or good for me or others. "Is it lawful" is the wrong question.
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That is a good topic. Just because we can do something doesn't mean we should.
We can focus on clothes and makeup etc and forget the big picture, which is life lived in submission to the will of God, everything needs to yeild to that, whether it is what we do, say, wear, where we go.. all of it and how it impacts others.
We should be asking ourselves what can I do to be better for Jesus when instead we ask "what can I get away with and stay saved"
I like the
Philippians 4:8 test
Philippians 4:8 KJVR
(8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Filtering the Lawful but expedient things through the lens of Ph 4:8 by asking:
- Is _______ true?
- Is _______ honest?
- Is _______ just?
- Is _______ lovely?
- Is _______ of good report?
- Is _______ virtuous?
- Is _______ praise?
Applying this to not only thoughts but actions.
I am thinking that if we apply this principle to everything from clothing to activity then we will find that we don't need a master list of do's and don'ts to guide us.
And that many of the expedient things that are lawful but not convenient will be shed as we seek to live closer to Jesus.
I don't always succeed at this but I try.
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