The Word Unleashed - Radio

The Bible teaches that the Christian life consists of making decisions about certain things that the Bible doesn’t explicitly speak about. But through the writing of the apostle Paul to the Romans, God gives his instructions for making these decisions in a way that honors His name and edifies those who have repented of their sins and believed in Christ.

Christians are inevitably faced with having to make decisions about issues and topics that the Bible specifically doesn’t address. And the apostle Paul dedicates almost two chapters in the book of Romans to address this very issue. But towards the end of his instruction, Paul begins to pray to God the Father that his people wouldn’t have disunity regarding Christian liberties but that they would be of the same mind and heart because of their unity in Christ.

As Christians, it is guaranteed in this life that we will have to make decisions about issues and topics that the Bible doesn’t specifically address. Yet, in Romans, the apostle Paul outlines several key principles to ensure that Christians navigate their Christian liberties for the glory of God and for the sake of other Christians.

The Christian life includes making decisions about issues and topics that the Bible either doesn't mention at all or that, if it does, are not entirely definitive. This is a reality that we, as Christians, cannot escape. But in God’s providence, He has given us in His Word key principles to help us navigate through these decisions and to do so primarily for the glory of God.

Scripture teaches that all Christians will have to make decisions about topics that the Bible doesn’t explicitly address. Some common examples of this are the style of worship music that a church implements; consuming alcoholic drinks; what type of education or school a family should participate in; and entertainment choices.

All Christians have to make decisions about issues and topics that the Bible either doesn't mention at all or that, if it does, are not entirely definitive. In Romans 14–15, Paul deals with these issues, which have come to be known as Christian liberties or issues of conscience. These issues can be defined as the God-given freedom to make moral decisions not explicitly addressed in Scripture.

In every age, Christians will have to navigate making decisions about issues and topics that the Bible doesn't mention at all or is not entirely definitive. This was a major challenge for first-century Christians and one of the reasons the apostle Paul wrote the great letter to the Romans.

All of Scripture teaches that every single moral decision every Christian will make can be divided into one of three categories. First, the Bible explicitly commands it, and there is a chapter and verse to support it. Second, the Bible explicitly forbids it, and there is a chapter and verse that forbid it. Or third, it is an issue of conscience or Christian liberty, where there is no explicit verse that commands or forbids it.

Every generation of Christians will face having to make decisions about issues and topics that the Bible either doesn't mention at all or that, if it does, are not entirely definitive. So, God, through the pen of the apostle Paul, provides Christians with several principles to navigate these types of situations. At the same time, Paul warns Christians that they must not sit in judgment of other Christians because of their convictions about certain Christian liberties.

In the first century, there were two primary issues on which there was huge disagreement in the Roman churches: the first was eating unclean foods, and the second was observing Jewish holy days that are listed in the Old Testament. As the apostle Paul sought to shepherd those Christians and those churches, he laid out several biblical principles to help them navigate through those situations, and those same principles apply today.