Christian Liberty and the World of Entertainment - 1

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus

Wishing one and all of my beloved readers a very Happy and Merry Christmas. May the love which God the Father gave us, be emulated in our lives daily.

As we start a new year, I would like to address a question that does nag us in the back of our minds but we do not seem to ask about it. We all know that it is wrong to cheat, steal, lie, commit murder, commit adultery or covet. We are also clear on whether a Christian should read the Bible, pray, worship, love, or tell others about the salvation in Jesus Christ.But, there is one category of questions that is there nagging behind the mind of everyone and it is with regards to issues or activities that are not specifically addressed in the Scriptures, and thus obviously fall somewhere between what is obviously right and obviously wrong. These aspects of Christian freedom fall into what has been dubbed as "the gray areas". What entertainment is acceptable? What kind of music is okay? What about what you wear, where you go, or how you spend your free time? How does the Bible speak to those issues?

Some would say that as the Bible doesn't address them, we can do what we want to do. Your are free in Christ! Though it is true that the Bible does not specifically mention every possible decision you might make in life, it does address all choices with general principles and parameters that govern Christian freedom.

I will be trying to share a grid of seven biblical principles, drawn primarily from the book of 1 Corinthians, on which you may base your choices in the gray areas of your life. I trust and pray that you will find both clarity and true freedom to live your life to God's glory.

Principles for Living to God's Glory

• The Edification Principle: Will this activity produce spiritual benefit?
  

In 1 Corinthians 10:23, St. Paul explained that "all things are lawful but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify." Just like the people of Corinth in the first century, people now a days exercise their Christian liberty without any regard for the spiritual good of others, or even the good of themselves. St. Paul corrected that thinking by reminding them that, unless something is spiritually profitable, it's not worth doing. Something that is profitable is useful, helpful, or advantageous; and that which edifies builds up spiritually. So based on this verse, we should ask ourselves - "Will doing this activity enhance my spiritual life and the spiritual life of others? Will it cultivate godliness in me and in them? Will it build us up spiritually?"

There are many ways in which we can build up others in the faith, and in which we ourselves can "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). But at a foundational level, edification comes from studying the Word of God and listening to it being taught (Acts. 20:32; Col. 3:16; 2 Tim. 3:16-17); from showing true love to fellow believers as you fellowship with them (1 Cor. 8:1; Heb. 10:24); and from obediently serving within the context of the local church (Eph. 4:12).

When it comes to the gray areas of life, we should begin by asking if the choice we are about to make is spiritually profitable, both for ourselves and for those around us.

• The Enslavement Principle: Will this activity lead to spiritual bondage?

In 1 Corinthians 6:12, St. Paul tells his readers, "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." Again St. Paul emphasizes that he wanted to do only those things that are spiritually profitable. Part of that entails avoiding those temptations or activities that might result in personal enslavement. St. Paul knew that his only Master was Jesus Christ; thus he would not allow himself to be mastered by anything or anyone else.

If we look at the context in 1 Cor. 6, it refers to sexual sin, which is uniquely enslaving. However, the principle extends beyond sensuality to any habit or behavior that might be life-dominating or Spirit-quenching. In Ephesians 5:18, speaking of alcoholism, St. Paul commanded, "Do not get drunk with wine... but be filled with the Spirit." Though the context is different, the idea is similar.

Don't allow yourself to become addicted or enslaved to that which is sinful or even just potentially destructive. If what you are considering can be habit-forming, why pursue it? Don't allow yourself to be in bondage to anything or anyone. YOU ARE A SLAVE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND HIM ALONE.

Stay tuned for more...

Your brother in Christ Jesus