Purely A Matter of Conscience?

“Pastor, is it right for me to  …?”  is a common question involving choices of entertainment, diet, and work.  Disciples who desire a close walk with the Lord will be concerned about living a pure life.  The Holy Spirit, who lives in us, knows us personally and He will guide us in these choices.  Let me illustrate from my recent experience. I enjoyed watching CBS TV “Survivor” for many seasons. Last week the Holy Spirit whispered, “Jerry, no more.”  The impression was strong. So, I chose obedience. “Survivor” is no longer part of my life for Christ’s sake.  (Please understand that this is a personal illustration, not a rule for all Christians.) I place a higher priority on enjoying a unhindered fellowship with the Holy Spirit than on doing what I want to do! I know the cost of ignoring His leading: loss of the closeness with the Father, inability to pray with conviction, a guilty conscience.

Christian disciples down through the ages have been tempted to write rules, to try to govern the impulses of the sinful nature with restrictions. In my earlier years, my family legislated all television out of the house because ‘that is what a good Christian does.’  Those kinds of laws never work in restraining sin. Human nature being what it is, people find loopholes, ways to excuse themselves. Or they scrupulously observe the rule, while entirely missing the point! Jesus spoke of rule-keepers who ‘strain out a gnat and swallow a camel.’  Who said he didn’t have a sense of humor? 

The Word teaches us that it is not a law that should compel us, but the Spirit who should guide us to holy lives that please and honor God. First century Christians were divided in their convictions about dietary choices. Some were convinced that they eat anything, others equally convinced that eating meat that was once part of a sacrifice to idols was sinful.  Did Paul write a rule? No!  He pointed out a principle that remains for us.  “You were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything." (1 Corinthians 6:11-14, NLT)  He pointed out the importance of recognizing the difference between what is permissible and what is in our best interest spiritually. A key question that all disciples should ask of themselves in every situation is whether they are moving towards Christ or away from Him.

Another principle that guides us in our daily choices as a Christian is our love for others. If our exercise of liberty is harmful to the Body of Christ, we are in sin. To Christians who were arguing about what day was the ‘right one’ for worship, who were making rules about diets, the Spirit said:  "He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone." (Romans 14:6-7, NIV) "Let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall." (Romans 14:13, NLT)

Disciple are you wrestling with what’s right and wrong for you? Know the Word! If God speaks to the issue (and He does on things like greed, injustice, dishonesty, and adultery) then bring your life in line with His command. If the Word is silent on your dilemma, then pray and listen for the Spirit’s leading. He knows you uniquely and personally, your weakness and your strength, and He will lead you to a place where you are able to enjoy the deepest intimacy with the Lord.

Commit yourself to the Law of Love.  It’s our word from the Word for today. "Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40, NIV)