Welcome to The Tightrope! (Updated September 23, 2008)
All Things To All People
Have you ever observed a Christian doing things that might make you cringe or make you wonder how they can get away with "it" and still be a Christian...and then see that God blesses what they've done and that their actions bear fruit....
There's a saying from way back, "Others may; I cannot."
There are Christians who have wine with dinner and they are not sinning. Then there are Christians, like me, who cannot have wine with dinner because it would be wrong for them. I'm not talking about situation ethics, I'm talking about a relationship with God. The question then becomes, why is it okay for someone else but not for me?
Well, in the case of wine with dinner, there are several reasons why it's not right for me. First, I have to point out that there's nothing wrong with not drinking. Did you get that? I didn't say there was nothing wrong with drinking - I said "There's nothing wrong with not drinking." I would have to come up with all kinds of excuses and reasoning to force some kind of acceptance. If I have to work so hard to come up with supporting arguments as to why I should be allowed to do something, chances are that I shouldn't be doing it at all. Wine with dinner was never our family's custom. As a matter of fact, we avoided alcohol adamantly. It would distract me from an honest relationship with God if I were to start now without any reason to do so. When would it be okay? Well, if I were in a different culture where it's not only the accepted practice, but is expected; and if turning down a glass of wine would offend someone to the point of not being able to share the gospel, I might do it. Might. I'd have to pray about it and listen to what God wants. That means that I must be in fellowship with Him already.
We can come up with all sorts of "what if" questions. What if a known criminal wanted to donate a large sum of money to a church that could really use it? What if you were on the road and very hungry and the only place open was a bar that served food? What if... What if...
God doesn't deal with "what if's". He deals in what is. Keep your eyes on Him and He will never steer you wrong. Don't try to figure out what God wants, He has told you already what He wants. Just do it... or don't do it, if that's the case.
Paul set the record straight when he said he had become all things to all people. That didn't mean he could do whatever he felt like doing or make excuses for unGodly behavior. What it meant was that it was okay for him to eat food that had been offered to idols - when he was hungry and when that was offered to him in the spirit of hospitality. It kept a door open for him to share the gospel. That's just one example.
Keeping Your Balance
Righteousness .::'::. Freedom
Paul said that we are justified by faith, and that the law was given to show the abundance of sin. Then he confirmed that grace abounded even more. What comes after? Do we continue in sin that grace abounds more and more? God forbid. We are dead to sin, or should be. If you have to look for excuses to do something questionable, take another look. It's probably best not to do it all.
Yes, we are free to do and choose what we will, and we know that God will never forsake us. But we are free to do and choose righteousness. God loves you more than you can comprehend, and He wants the best for you. Don't jeapordize your relationship with God over something as small as, say, a glass of wine or a few dollars.
Taking A Step
Walking In The Light
God's ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts. When we try to substitute our flawed human reasoning for God's guidance, we go off the path. The next time you find yourself searching for reasons why it's okay to do something, realize that it's already on the wrong side. You're trying to take something from the dark side and fit it into the light. Stop. Pray. Obey. Let go of your selfish desires, whether for comfort, social status, ambition, etc. Put your faith in God, that He will honor you. Especially when you honor Him. It's okay to say, "Others may; I cannot."
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