Biblical Principals In The "Gray Areas"

These are questions that we should ask ourselves when dealing with "gray areas" (issues that Scripture doesn't directly address) of the Christian life.

1. It is beneficial?

• 1 Corinthians 6:12 "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."
• Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."

2. Is it enslaving?

• 1 Corinthians 6:12 "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."

3. Will it hinder the spiritual growth of a brother/sister?

• Romans 8:13 "for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live."
• Romans 14:13 "Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this--not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way."
• Romans 15:21 "but as it is written, "THEY WHO HAD NO NEWS OF HIM SHALL SEE, AND THEY WHO HAVE NOT HEARD SHALL UNDERSTAND."

4. Does it edify (build up)?

• 1 Corinthians 10:23-24, 33 "All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable All things are lawful, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor."
• 1 Corinthians 10:33 "Just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved."
• Romans 14:14 "I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean."
• Romans 14:9 "For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living."

5. Does it hinder work of God or shame the name of Christ?

• 1 Corinthians 10:31-33 "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved."

6. Is it in the "gray area"? Then don't judge!

• Romans 14:1-12 "Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD." So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God."
• Romans 14:16-18 "Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil;for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men."

7. Are you violating your conscience?

• Romans 14:14 "I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean."
• Romans 14:20 "Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense."
• Romans 14:22 "The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves."

8. Are you doing all things from faith?

• Romans 14:23 "But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin."
  

9. Does it do harm to your body?

• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body."

10. Do you know the right thing to do? (Sin of omission)

• James 4:17 "Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin."

11. Is it wise?

• Proverbs
  

Presented by Dr. Steve Sullivan (3/16/09)

Definition of Worship

Full Definition: Worship is an act by a redeemed man, of the creature toward the Creator, whereby his will, intellect and emotions gratefully respond in reverential fear and humble submission by means of spiritual offerings and sacrifices to the person, work, and presence of God which is supremely demonstrated in Jesus Christ, as the Holy Spirit illuminated God’s written Word to man’s heart.

Brief definition: Worship is the humble and reverent acknowledgement of the person, presence and work of God and responding with praise thanksgiving, spiritual sacrifices and obedience.