… everything that does not come from faith is sin. — Romans 14:23
For many years I operated under the principle: When in doubt, don’t. However, in recent days, I have come to re-examine this.
Some things are clear. Adultery, theft, murder, witchcraft — all of these are wrong. But many other things are not clear. God’s will in these gray areas is not spelled out.
Why? Why would God allow so many choices to be clouded with uncertainty?
I believe these issues are building blocks in a relationship with God. Rather than run away from the issue, or hide behind somebody else’s convictions, I believe God ultimately wants us to take these gray areas to Him, so that we can discover God’s heart and God’s mind for ourselves.
God’s intent here is not to broaden the definition of sin, but rather to build our faith. When we desire something on the "gray list," we can bring those desires to God and find out why they are there. Are these corrupted desires that God wants to purify? Or are these good desires that God wants to satisfy? The important thing is not so much where we draw the line, but rather that we are holding God’s hand, listening to His voice when we draw the line.
So we can view these questionable and controversial issues not as opportunities to quarrel and/or secretly sin, but rather as an invitation to sit down with God and get to know Him better.
Be encouraged!
Dwight
Dwight Clough is the author of four Christian books and is an active member of Lake City Church in Madison. This devotional is also available via email and you may review the archives back to 2002. To contact Dwight or Kim, use their contact form. You may also support their ministry.