lallhands
09-03-2006, 12:17 PM
"I’m sorry, on ethical grounds, I just can’t do that,” I replied to my co-worker. He had just asked me if I could install a program on his computer that he did not have a license for. I valued his friendship, so much so that I could not comply with his request. It was difficult for me, but it was an act of love.
Throughout each day, we are confronted with hundreds of decisions. The decisions we face can range from as small as whether or not to hit the snooze button in the morning to life and death decisions depending on our profession or vocation. Each decision we make, ultimately shapes the outcome of our day. But as Christians, it is not only our day that we are affecting; ultimately, it is the shape of eternity itself that hangs in the balance in even the smallest decision.
In business environments, there are certain values, standards, and behavior patterns deemed as “normal” by the world. In order to prosper in these environments, it is necessary to adopt many of these. As Christians, this can be problematic because we are held under intense scrutiny by the seekers, new believers, and unbelievers around us. Everyone has an intrinsic knowledge of how someone who professes to be a follower of Christ should act and they view and judge us by those standards. The standard we are judged by is that we do not behave like everyone else. Although they may not know the scriptures, others expect to see something in our lives that is missing in theirs. Whether they know it or not, what they seek in our behavior is evidence of the mystery of the word of God and the hope of glory as stated in Colossians 1:24-27.
Nearly two thousand years ago, Paul dealt directly with nearly the same issue in 1 Corinthians 8:9-13. Here Paul indicates that he is fully aware that others watch, judge, and imitate his daily behavior. The scripture topic may be about eating meat offered to idols, but the subject is setting a Godly example by not partaking in behavior that would “become a stumbling block for the weak” or “cause a brother to fall into sin”. Paul correctly concludes that regardless of the legality of eating the meat under God’s law, the real argument is that the effect of one’s actions on a brother’s walk takes precedence and further states that he would never take part in behavior that might give the appearance of sin if it would harm a brother.
So armed with this understanding, we ought to be more circumspect in our daily decision making process. God’s love on earth manifests itself through our behavior, and it is a true act of love to be conscious of and submit to a brother’s need.
Throughout each day, we are confronted with hundreds of decisions. The decisions we face can range from as small as whether or not to hit the snooze button in the morning to life and death decisions depending on our profession or vocation. Each decision we make, ultimately shapes the outcome of our day. But as Christians, it is not only our day that we are affecting; ultimately, it is the shape of eternity itself that hangs in the balance in even the smallest decision.
In business environments, there are certain values, standards, and behavior patterns deemed as “normal” by the world. In order to prosper in these environments, it is necessary to adopt many of these. As Christians, this can be problematic because we are held under intense scrutiny by the seekers, new believers, and unbelievers around us. Everyone has an intrinsic knowledge of how someone who professes to be a follower of Christ should act and they view and judge us by those standards. The standard we are judged by is that we do not behave like everyone else. Although they may not know the scriptures, others expect to see something in our lives that is missing in theirs. Whether they know it or not, what they seek in our behavior is evidence of the mystery of the word of God and the hope of glory as stated in Colossians 1:24-27.
Nearly two thousand years ago, Paul dealt directly with nearly the same issue in 1 Corinthians 8:9-13. Here Paul indicates that he is fully aware that others watch, judge, and imitate his daily behavior. The scripture topic may be about eating meat offered to idols, but the subject is setting a Godly example by not partaking in behavior that would “become a stumbling block for the weak” or “cause a brother to fall into sin”. Paul correctly concludes that regardless of the legality of eating the meat under God’s law, the real argument is that the effect of one’s actions on a brother’s walk takes precedence and further states that he would never take part in behavior that might give the appearance of sin if it would harm a brother.
So armed with this understanding, we ought to be more circumspect in our daily decision making process. God’s love on earth manifests itself through our behavior, and it is a true act of love to be conscious of and submit to a brother’s need.