All Things Are Lawful
“All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor.” (1 Corinthians 10:23-24)
“Abstain from every form of evil” (I Thessalonians 5:22)
“…to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17)
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 8:21)
Sin no longer condemns us, Christ has overcome the penalty for sin by his resurrection to perfection...and he will do that for all in God's timing. The above Scripture is not warning of the penalty for sin. All sin has been atoned for at the cross and Christ has set us free from the law and we are FREE...
"It was for freedom Christ set us free....He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." (Galatians 5:1; 1 John 2:2)
HOWEVER, we still have to live out our appointed time in this “present evil age”, as Paul calls it, before our own gracious resurrection to perfection.
"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father." (Galatians 1:3-4)
So the Scriptures first quoted above tell us that we should "abstain from every form of evil" as the best way to make this age more enjoyable for us and those we come in contact with, even though doing them no longer condemns us.
“Abstain from every form of evil” (I Thessalonians 5:22)
“…to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17)
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 8:21)
Sin no longer condemns us, Christ has overcome the penalty for sin by his resurrection to perfection...and he will do that for all in God's timing. The above Scripture is not warning of the penalty for sin. All sin has been atoned for at the cross and Christ has set us free from the law and we are FREE...
"It was for freedom Christ set us free....He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." (Galatians 5:1; 1 John 2:2)
HOWEVER, we still have to live out our appointed time in this “present evil age”, as Paul calls it, before our own gracious resurrection to perfection.
"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father." (Galatians 1:3-4)
So the Scriptures first quoted above tell us that we should "abstain from every form of evil" as the best way to make this age more enjoyable for us and those we come in contact with, even though doing them no longer condemns us.
I have learned that some things are just not worth doing. But I do not allow assemblies of men to prepare the list of these "worthless" things...in my freedom I decide knowing I will give account to God.
"For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of the Messiah, so that each of us may receive what he deserves for what he has done in his body, whether good or worthless." (2 Corinthians 5:10)
Worthless things won't be rewarded, the good we do will. The best thing I know to do is to treat people right and with respect, if possible, and hope they appreciate it enough to treat me the same way...as Jesus taught in his Sermon on the Mount...
"In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you,” (Matthew 7:12)
"For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of the Messiah, so that each of us may receive what he deserves for what he has done in his body, whether good or worthless." (2 Corinthians 5:10)
Worthless things won't be rewarded, the good we do will. The best thing I know to do is to treat people right and with respect, if possible, and hope they appreciate it enough to treat me the same way...as Jesus taught in his Sermon on the Mount...
"In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you,” (Matthew 7:12)