Monday ~ May 7, 2012

Monday ~ May 7, 2012

Making Choices on Sensitive Issues

All of us make hundreds of choices every day. Most choiceshave no right or wrong attached to them--like what you wear or what you eat. But we always face decisions that carry a little more weight. We don't want to do wrong, and we don't want to cause others to do wrong, so how can we make such decisions?

If I choose one course of action:

...does it help my witness for Christ?

1 Corinthians 9:19-22 
19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

...am I motivated by a desire to help others know Christ?

1 Corinthians 9:23
23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. 
1 Corinthians 10:33
33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

...does it help me do my best?

1 Corinthians 9:25
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

...is it against a specific command in Scripture and would thus cause me to sin?

1 Corinthians 10:12
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

...is it the best and most beneficial course of action?

1 Corinthians 10:23,33
23All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

...am I thinking only of myself, or do I truly care about the other person?

1Corinthians 10:24
24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. 

...am I acting lovingly or selfishly?

1 Corinthians 10:28-30
28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

...does it glorify God?

1 Corinthians 10:31
31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

...will it cause someone else to sin?

1 Corinthians 10:32-33
32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.