"Permissable v.s. Beneficial"

by WXAN & KMHM General Manager, Doug Apple

We are Americans. We love the word “freedom.” We love the word “rights.” Taking advantage of these rights and freedoms is the American way. But is it the Christian way?

In First Corinthians 10:23 Paul wrote, “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” (KJV) Sure, there are things that are “lawful” or permissible for us. But they aren't necessarily edifying, or beneficial.

Permissible is what we have the “right” to do and the “freedom” to do. Permissible is a bigger circle. Beneficial, however, is a smaller circle. As Christians we should be living more in the smaller circle of doing what is beneficial. In other words, we don't do things because we can, but because we should, because they are beneficial. This often means denying ourselves certain rights and freedoms.

One way to decide what is beneficial is to ask “what will I wish I had done on judgment day?” Second Corinthians 5:10 says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” Who's going to appear before the judgment seat of Christ? “We all” every last one of us. At that time, what will you wish you had done more of? We all will wish we had made our decisions not on what was permissible, but on what was beneficial. Here is a phrase I've always liked “Keep one eye on today, and one eye on that day.” 

Another saying goes like this, “When planning your life, start at judgment day and work back.”
As Americans we like to take advantage of all rights and freedoms. But as Christians, we are to walk by faith, not by sight. Living by sight means living for today. But living by faith means living for eternity…looking ahead to judgment day. When you live by faith, the payoff isn't so obvious today. The true payoff for living by faith comes on that day.

Some areas we American Christians need to take a hard look at include the following. As you read these ask yourself, “Am I making these choices in the 'permissible' or the 'beneficial?'”
--Our entertainment.
--Our dating and marriage and divorce choices.
--Our education choices.
--Our choices in how we use our time.
--Our choices in how we spend our money.
--Our choices in who we spend time with.

In all of these areas we need to do what pleases the Lord. We need to make it the main goal of our lives pleasing God.
So what is God speaking to your heart right now? He is probably calling you to change something that you have the “right” to do, but that is not the most beneficial thing to do in the long run. Take a step of faith! Obey today!