The Practice of Christianity Built on Faith

 September 19, 2024

Thursday

Occasionally, you will find someone who has developed a biblical practice determined by what is not mentioned in the Bible. How could this be a biblical practice? It supposes one of two positions. It either says that anything not mentioned a prohibited in the Bible is fine to practice or it says that anything not mentioned in prohibited from practice. Each stand has a fundamental flaw.

For example, Jesus never mentioned homosexuality. Thus, it must be okay. He never mentioned pedophilia either. Is it okay? However, homosexuality is prohibited elsewhere in the Old and New Testaments. In fact, the Bible condemns all sex outside of marriage. Knowing what the Bible does say helps in understanding the things the Bible doesn't say.

On the other hand, the New Testament doesn't mention musical instruments. It also doesn't mention pews, three piece suits or praise bands. Should everything not mentioned be banned? Again, we must know what the rest of the Bible says. All sorts of instruments are mentioned in the Old Testament. It appears that just about anything that can make a tune or keep a beat was used to worship. Make no mistake. The human voice is the pinnacle of worship. It can express clearly the glories of the Lord. The instruments are merely supports for most musical expressions in the church. However, there is the beauty of a well-played instrumental. The instrumental can be akin to the glories seen in God's nature but it will not so clearly express His glory as the human voice.

So, what principle should be used? Do we approve everything not mentioned or do we ban it? The things no mentioned should be supported with the rest of the word of God. We should do things with a conviction that they are right rather than a "what's wrong with it attitude." We should be able to support it with the presence of the Holy Spirit revealing what is right and wrong. Is what we are doing making disciples? Is what we are doing bringing people to Christ? Is what we are doing bringing people into an experience with the Living God? This cannot be done with a self-approving attitude. Thus, we can't say that the church dance team that dresses like what is seen on TV is okay because it brings in the young people who are there to ogle the girls. Surely, there is plenty to say about these things in the Bible without mentioning them directly.

That which is not of conviction as being right is a sin. Maybe that seems harsh, but it is in the Bible. It should be our standard for what is permitted and what is not.

The church had problems with whether food sacrificed to idols could be eaten. They had no clear word on it. So, they had the principle of doing what comes from faith. Faith is knowing what is right.

Romans 14:23 (NASB 2020) ²³ But the one who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.