Moral Clarity On Tough Decisions

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‘hard decisions easy.’

if we don’t do‘’ We know what’s right & what’s

don’t want to talk about what is explicit the middle, because that’s what

that’s , that’s

e Bible doesn’t explicitly



 you drink certain things, that’s sinful, and 

 oesn’t matter what’s

 say that if you go to a movie you’ve committed a sin

 ple say, “Well, and the graphics are beautiful,”  ’ve  ome people think that you can’t play cards

 “Monopoly” a game called “Humility and rty” for those who really want  ong, that’s a sin, if it’that’s not a sin ‘anal retentive’ (personality characterized by meticulous neatness) 

don’t understand.

and order, that’s  I try to get an 8 hour sleep at least once or twice a week. I’d like to do it more than I’m able, but there’In fact, there’s nothing wrong with

that’s a wonderful thing. it’s

 ain musical styles and genre’s are sinful, even Some may go so far as to say that if it’s not church music it’s all sinful.  people who believe that it’s a sin.“mixed bathing” and that is





ion that isn’t black or white“the ord Jesus Christ” (2 Pet

Let’s look

That’s what this

“ ” now this word literally means “to my advantage.” on’t profit m

t’s a good question.

We shouldn’t look at the above issues I have listed from the standpoint of, man oh man

“lawful” “Everything is lawful, but not everything is beneficial.” “” That’s right, ‘not up!’ he word is “oikodomeō,” it means “to build a house.”

“.”“ God, we are speaking in Christ, and all for building you up, beloved.” “Do you not know that the runners stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win.”

““to strike under the eye” (Greek –

es to our bodily desires, that’s a fact. W That’s why, when it comes , it doesn’t come

–

learn to say “no”

when you have every right to say “yes.” let’s ust say “no” so you can say to your body, “See, I’m still in charge.”

et’s ask this as 1 Corinthians 9 says, if I’m running to win the prize, if I’m

inning, verse 4, “By faith Abel...

faith Moses.”

It’s

“

” that I want you to notice, “let us lay aside every weight sin.” sin and we’reSo, what’s the ‘’agōn

“agony,”

“every weight” means “bulk.”et me state that bulk isn’t sin, It’s just

let’s take an athlete who is going to compete in the 100 meters

‘’ let’s assume

, he didn’t

wouldn’t be s ‘bulk,’ it would weigh you down.

two o’clock, “I wish my husband would do .”Men’sat 8 o’clock Satur

, correct? That’s why It is a “do nothing” time

There’s lots of forms of activities I will call ‘bulk’ that

just won’t do that.

what? “.”“”‘ ’ ‘created thing’ “

nds; thou hast put all things under his feet...”

But isn’t it a

because they can’t deal with

sports can become addicting. I’ve seen a lot

can’t

their “once saved always sa” “What do you mean by that, Jesse?” you’re Many Christians say, “Boy, I’ve gotI’m free to enjoy this, and I’m free to enjoy that, and I can do this, and I can do that.” ) misunderstand ‘freedom.’ “freedom ”

, “Well, I’m free to I’m very selective.”

“ ”

, ‘am I just’

you shouldn’t dance,

didn’t dance So what’s wrong with dancing you ask?

it’s a very co –

people say “Well, I’m free to do that.I certainly am.”Guess what, they’re equivocating. They’re

Here’s another example, a o says, “Hey, God made horses.I’m free to go d enjoy God’s creation.ace, I’m entertained, I say, ‘Thank you, God. ,’ while I’m dropping money all day long.”

That’s the principle of

let’s Let’s “He who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. He also who eats,

whether we die, we are the Lord's.”

I don’t want to violate that “for that is the sanctuary where God speaks to me”

“our brothers keeper” (

explains what I’m saying. “ block to the weak.” What? “a ” pounding beer, watching the Playboy channel on T.V. and dropping ‘F’ bombs and making lewd

Catholic faith going through RCIA sees me, don’t you think that my a

“

”

Romans chapter 14:13 (RSV) “ ”

That’s w“Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding”“

” This is why I don’t drink in public, I don’t go to bars, gambling

It’s such an honor to be able to limit my

Let’s call this the principle of This brings us to....

“”

29 (RSV) “If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are

”

istence..." says: “Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.” Here is the historical backdrop, you’re a Corinthian pagan that

pagan god (who is simply a myth) doesn’t e

’t eat it all because there are far more people making offerings than there are

n’t want

et me explain the problem this passage describes. You’ve got an individualo’s a mature hing, he doesn’t believe in false gods, he’s a steward of his

He’s a new convert, he a weaker brother who doesn’t unders

So the two of them (the mature Christian and the new convert) have a friend in common who’s

That’s “If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat wh ” say, “, where did you buy this?”The Bible says: “ ” “ idols.”“ le butcher shop.”

says to him, “I can’t eat unholy meat.” “But if you don’t eat thatmeat than we’ll offend this unbeliever thatwe’re trying evangelize.”

’re trying to evangelize, the new convert will

That’s the question you’re trying to evangelize an unbeliever you’re better off

say, “It’s better to b There’s no unity between them,I’ll stay .” offend that unbeliever and say, “You know, thi can’t eatit for his sake.” probably say, “Wow, that is real brotherly love, what they have.”

doesn’t see in , “...he who thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and y men.” Notice, as intentional disciples of Christ, we are to live lives approved by

Here’s another question you

I’ve used that

Let’

“he who says he abides in him (Christ) ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” should strive (by God’s grace)

That’s such a though

“ of God.” “”

As an intentional disciple of Christ we need to ask daily, “Is my life giving Him glory?

?”t’s the princ

‘freedom’

s but You’ve given us the