Principles for Decision Making (Part 1)

Whatever a Christian does, it is to be by the authority of Christ (Col. 3:17). Everything must also glorify God (1 Cor. 10:31). While many decisions are simple when it comes to whether or not something will glorify God, there are some things that may not be as clear. When one is unsure about whether or not to do something, these simple principles will be helpful.

Principle of Doubt

Is there a question of doubt in my mind for what I am about to do? The writer of the Book of Romans explains to us that if something cannot be done in faith, it is sinful to do (Rom. 14:23).  The reason for this is that only in faith does one find it possible to please God (Heb. 11:6). When one does something that he or she is not sure about, it cannot please, nor glorify God (1 Cor. 10:31). One may think of this as “better safe than sorry.”

Principle of Influence

Could what I am about to do cause someone else to sin? There are many things in life that are not inherently sinful (that is, sinful by its very nature), but they can still be instrumentally sinful (sinful by its use). One way something can be sinful by its use, is if it harms someone else’s faith. This principle is set out in First Corinthians 8. Paul makes it explicitly clear to not participate in something that may cause someone else to sin. We see a similar picture in Matthew 18:6 when Christ says, “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” If what you are doing is causing someone else to sin, do not do it.

Principle of Secrecy

Is what I am about to do, something I do not want others to know about? There is no need for everyone to know about every aspect of another’s life. Each person is entitled to his or her own privacy. However, if someone were to find out about something one has done, should the one feel a sense of shame for what that someone found out about? Ephesians 5:8-13 explains that Christians were once darkness but now are light in the Lord and must walk in that light. Verse twelve explains that the things done in darkness are shameful to speak of. John 3:21 says that those who do the truth come to the light and that his deeds are made to be clearly seen. One does not have to forfeit his or her privacy, but one should not be ashamed of anything. If there is something that brings about shame if exposed, then it ought not to be done. --to be continued

Spreading the Word
By Will Vann

A question that is usually at the forefront of the minds of those in the church is, “How do we make the church grow?” Many denominations have answered this by converting themselves into places of entertainment, and some of our brethren have followed this practice to their folly. The problem with drawing in people by appealing to their desire to be entertained, besides having no scriptural basis, is that once people get tired of what drew them in, then the church is going to either do something bigger and better to keep their people happy or die out. Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” The gospel truth is what will draw people to the church and keep them there. So how do we spread the gospel? When the Christians in Jerusalem were being persecuted by Paul, before he was converted, many of them fled. “As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:3-4). Wherever these Christians went, they preached the gospel and the church grew. The only way the church can grow is by its members going out and spreading the word. There is no other way. I challenge all of us to go and do whatever we can to bring others to Christ.