“But not all is beneficial”

Originally posted on March 22, 2006 – by Andre Piet

Tonight, a Bible study is scheduled on the second part of Galatians 5. Paul has laid out in over four chapters what our dearly-bought freedom means. It is not the law of Moses (or any law, for that matter) that should guide our lives as believers. But what then?

Some hear that they are free from the law and go on to do whatever they feel like. All under the motto, “all things are allowed.” Besides the fact that this is a pious excuse to quote half a verse, they are, without realizing it, revealing a fundamentally legalistic mindset. Legalistic is not just refraining from things because you believe they are not allowed. It is just as legalistic to do things merely because they are allowed. In both cases, one is governed by whether or not something is permitted.

The guiding question in our lives, however, should be whether something is beneficial. Whether it edifies. Whether it glorifies God.
“All is allowed, but not all is beneficial.”

Delen: