This past Sunday we dived into our conversation on "When Faith & Life Collide" by talking about "Faith & Choices." What does it look like when we bring our everyday choices in life, especially those that are difficult to know what is right/wrong, and allow our Faith in intersect at these moments? How do we especially deal with 'gray' areas - those areas that Scripture doesn't specifically condone or condemn? Here are five checks you can bring against your choice to help you know what you should do...

#1 - Is this a black & white issue, a gray issue, or none of the above?
The first thing we need to look at is what the Bible says specifically about the issue at hand (if anything at all). It is important to realize that some issues that we think are 'gray' are really Biblical absolutes - things that the Bible spells out exactly whether they are right or wrong. It is also important to note, however, that there are some issues that Christians often tout as being 'black & white' which are really gray - the Bible doesn't condemn nor condone them. If the Bible speaks to the issue than you have an easy choice - just follow what Scripture says. If the Bible is silent you need to proceed to the next step...

#2 - What is my personal conviction regarding this issue?
Once we know what the Bible says about an issue and related issues, we must then decide what our own personal conviction is based on what we've learned. These must be based upon Biblical values, not solely on our own desires. This is not a matter of, "I like this, so it's okay for me," but rather, "Based on what I know about what the Bible says, how do I feel about this?" One of the roles of the Holy Spirit in our lives is to convict us of sin. There are going be issues that you face that you are convicted to not participate in. In the same way, there will be issues that you face that you feel 100% comfortable with based on what Scripture says. These convictions are personal - they are not transferrable to someone else. Romans 14:14 says, "But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong." We need to be true to the convictions that the Holy Spirit has placed in our heart. If the Bible is silent & you feel 100% comfortable with the issue, then you need to proceed to the next step...

#3 - How would this affect a Christian brother or sister?
The New Testament is very clear that freedom in Christ does not give us the right to openly offend other Christians. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:23-24: "You say, 'I am allowed to do anything' - but not everything is helpful. You say, 'I am allowed to do anything' - but not everything is beneficial. Don't think only of your own good. Think of other Christians and what is best for them." For example, if you feel comfortable eating meat, but you have a friend who is a vegeterian, you don't need to invite them over for dinner & grill hamburgers! Concern for others should always trump our own selfish desires. Where is the dividing line then - we know we may always offend someone by the choices we make? Sometimes we must make life choice decisions, not because Scripture forbids something or because we are convicted about it, but because someone important in our everyday lives is. There are other times that these decisions will be momentary ones - such as not serving meat for dinner when you have a vegetarian friend coming over. If the Bible is silent, you feel comfortable with the issue, & you won't offend people you are around because of it, then you need to proceed to the next step...

#4 - How do I feel knowing I will ultimately give an account of this decision one day before Christ?
The Bible teaches us that we will be held accountable one day for everything that we do & don't do in life. Romans 10:12 says, "Yes, each of you will have to give a personal account to God." How would knowing you would be held acountable to God affect this decision?

#5 - I must maintain unity in the midst of diversity
The possibilities of things that you and I, as Christians, could have different convictions about are pretty large. Our tendency sometimes is to think that everyone else should feel exactly the same way about what we believe. When we realize that this simply isn't true, we must strive to maintain unity & love, even with those whom we disagree with. Christian love should always be the common denominator. Paul says in Romans 14:19, "So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up." We must avoid condemning others - either because they are practicing something that we have a personal conviction against (that the Bible is silent on) or because we are flaunting our Christian freedom and practicing something in front of others with whom it offends (without Brotherly love or concern).