All things are not expedient
1 Corinthians 6:12 “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”
Paul is writing the Corinth church, because of the sin which they had allowed in it.
And so he gives his testimony as a servant of the Lord.
Paul is saying here, that all things are lawful (what is right to be done out in public)…but all things are not expedient.
They may be lawful….but I will not be brought under the power of…. Any.
He said, they are not expedient…which means to bear together, or bring about an advantage.
In other words Paul looked for what would be spiritually better for others, not just what might be acceptable in the world.
For you see, it is not necessarily the thing itself….but the influence of our affections toward it, on our hearts and lives.
1 John 5:21 (amplified version) “Little children, keep yourselves from idols (false gods, from anything and everything that would occupy the place in your heart due to God; from any sort of substitute for Him, that would take first place in your life.) Amen. (so be it).
“Anything”….any “good” thing, as well as a “bad” thing, can, by a wile of the devil, become an idol through inordinate affection.
(God has always called HIs people to:
“…give me your heart and let your eyes observe My ways.” Prov. 23:26 If our hearts are His, in love and obedience…then we will keep our eyes on His Will,…and not be so tempted by the world.)
It is true, that anything to which a Christian gives final obedience…is their God.
How careful we need to be, about what we let into our hearts.
Both Paul and John exhorted and warned…about “the power of any”, or “anything”.
1 Corinthians 10:23 “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.”
Now this brings out our personal relationship to the Lord. All things are not working for the good of others….all things edify not.
To edify is to instruct or enlighten, so as to encourage moral or spiritual growth….to build up.
Paul did everything….so as to build up himself in the Lord’s Will….
….and sought to do everything to build up the church of Christ Jesus.
For if a thing does not build us up in Jesus, it tares us down.
For where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
2 Corinthians 3:17 “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
Liberty….freedom to know and do His Will. As we will with HIm, there should be freedom to be HIs Will.
Psalm 62:11 “God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 “For we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
What we behold….what we look at….what we not only take into our eyes, but our hearts; changes us (our opinions, our attitudes, our affections,…and ultimately our will actions.)
Paul knew this….John knew this….and warned all who will hear:
1 Corinthians 10:12-14 “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.”
Run from it….cross the street….close your eyes….turn your head.
There is no bravery in staying in a situation that is wrong….for us. It is the greatest courage to turn from evil, and seek, instead, the good of God’s Will.
This is what Paul testified to the church about…..seek that which is expedient….that which will edify….and turn from the mere lawful.
As we look into the law of liberty the Holy Spirit shows us in the Scriptures…we should see things as they really are.
For ourselves, and our relation to others, in the church….and out in the world.
Preaching, Teaching, and Notes 