Like a good father, God wants what’s best for each of us. So He has given us a standard that goes beyond the cultural norms. He has given us a question that enables us to live out the values that lead to what Jesus referred to as an abundant life (see John 10:10). Not a barely get by life. Not a life of regret. An abundant life.
But the question He gave us is not, Is there anything wrong with it?
The question is, Is it the wise thing to do?
To foolproof your life, you must ask it of every invitation, every opportunity, every relationship. What is the wise thing for me to do?
Our heavenly Father never intended for us to live life at the level of what’s permissible, legal, acceptable, and not prosecutable. To do so is tantamount to organizing our lives around the question, How close can I get to sin without sinning? Now there’s a standard. Instead, we are meant to analyze every opportunity and invitation through the lens of wisdom.
~ Excerpted from The Best Question Ever by Andy Stanley
Andy is expressing the same principle that Paul gives in his first letter to the disciples in Corinth.
“Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:23
Paul understood that we are free in Christ (Galatians 5:1)! Paul understood that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1)! Paul saw all of this is great news! But the question remains; what will we do with it?
A ragamuffin in awe of God's grace and glory... pursuing real life in Jesus.
I crave the abundant life and find myself diving even deeper in to Jesus. I am growing and growing, because I am focusing intently on Him. My joy is increasing and I see my life becoming more abundant and full.
What a great testimony of finding your satisfaction in Jesus! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I took time to visit yours and enjoyed what you are doing. God bless!