Gray Matters?
By Blake J. Matthews
Scripture taken from the NASB unless otherwise noted.
Some things are very black and white. Personally, I like that. When things
are clearly black or white I don't ever have to wrestle with how
much is too much, or how far is too far. As believers, we usually don't
go around asking how much murder, stealing or adultery we can get away
with before it's sin. That doesn't mean that we don't ever
have to wrestle with the sin itself, just not whether or not something
falls into that category.
The Bible is very clear on most matters of sin. It spells out lots of
do's and don't's. For example: murder is wrong, prayer
is right. It is never right to murder (note: murder, not kill) and it
is never wrong to pray. But there also seems to be topics that don't
fit easily or neatly into either the right or wrong category. Unfortunately,
these are usually hotly debated topics that tend to cause a lot of division
within the body of Christ.
How are we to reach a conclusion on things not specifically mentioned
in the Bible? How do we maintain a balance between extreme legalism and
using our liberty as a license to sin?
The following questions can serve as a concise checklist. Consider them
prayerfully and answer them honestly. By the time you have answered them
it should be pretty clear.
Will it edify?
The first thing to ask is will it edify. Is it profitable? Will it build
me up? Will it build up the body of Christ? There is a lot said in the
New Testament about edification. First Corinthians 10:23 is a great summary
verse when considering edification: All things are lawful, but not
all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.
Other verses site specifics as to how we can edify one another. Romans
14, especially verse 19, covers eating and drinking. Speech is covered
in Ephesians 4:29. First Corinthians 14:12 and 26 proclaim that fellowship,
worship, teaching and spiritual gifts are all to be done for edification.
Can this become an unhealthy addiction in your life?
First 1 Corinthians 6:12 says, All things are lawful for me, but
not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will
not be mastered by anything.
Not only should it be edifying, but it should not be enslaving. You should
never allow a non-moral thing—not even a "good" thing
to become your master. For example going to the gym may be a good thing,
but an addiction to working out at the expense of time with God, family
and friends is not. So ask yourself whether or not the thing your are
considering will bring you into bondage? Does it have the potential to
make you its slave? Is it addictive? If so, watch out.
Will it be an encumbrance and weigh you down?
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding
us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily
entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before
us, –Hebrews 12:1.
The encumbrance in Hebrews 12:1 that we are to lay aside is different
than sin. The word is onkos (ong'-kos). It simply means "bulk".
There's lots of forms of bulk: legalism, ceremonialism, things that just
waste our time and energy. It is anything that weighs us down, diverts
our priorities, or dampens our enthusiasm for the things of God. Sometimes
"good" things can be an encumbrance for God things. Life is
hard enough without needless encumbrances weighing us down.
Runners use weights when training and swimmers often train with old loose-fitting
swimsuits to create drag. They add these encumbrances when they train
so they will perform better at the actual event. As believers, we are
not training to live the Christian life, we are living it now! Can you
imagine a sprinter showing up with a backpack full of weights strapped
to him as he approaches the starting line at the Olympics. Unfortunately,
we often run the race of our lives with all sorts of encumbrances strapped
to us.
Will it usurp the Lordship of Christ in your life?
The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God.
Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who
doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith;
and whatever is not from faith is sin. –Romans 14:22–23
If you choose to do something, it must fit within what you believe is
the will of Christ in your life. Basically, if you feel convicted
about doing something don't do it. To continue doing it will only
sear your conscience.
Will it cause you to be a stumbling block to other Christians?
But take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling
block to the weak. –1 Corinthians 8:9
Would you want weaker Christians to follow your pattern? Could they interpret
what you are doing in a wrong way? Could they use your example as an excuse
for their sin? Our love for one another should be such that the thought
of causing a fellow believer to somehow stumble should cause us to be
very particular with regards to the things in which we participate.
Will it lead others to Christ?
Do all things without grumbling or disputing; that you may
prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach
in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear
as lights in the world, –Philippians 2:14-15
Your love toward one another may be the greatest testimony that you have
in evangelism.
Will it be Christ-like?
The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the
same manner as He walked. –1 John 2:6
You have probably seen items with WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) on them.
Don't let the meaning of those words pass like some fad. Think about
it. Would Jesus do this? Will doing this move you toward Christ-likeness?
Will it glorify God?
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to
the glory of God. –1 Corinthians 10:31
Will this exalt God? Will He be glorified and honored and praised as
a result of this? How do you represent God in what you do? Much of Jesus'
earthly ministry was bringing glory to the Father.
After considering these questions, I have noticed that in my own life
the gray, questionable areas seem to vanish. Sometimes there may be greater
liberty. Sometimes there may be a need for greater restraint. All times
require obedience to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I pray that this
has been helpful.
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