Test Everything!!!

I would like to add to this past Sunday's message in regards to doing what is right without having to think about whether or not you should do it. Something we must all be aware of is that there is a time for everything. In Ecclesiastes 3 we are introduced to Solomons wisdom on timing and contrast. I would encourage you to stop here and read that passage.

Now that we are all up to speed we can clearly see that God has a time for everything and that we need to be able to discern when those times are in our lives. I spoke of Peter jumping into the water and out of the boat. I also referred to the rich young ruler who chose not to sell his possessions and give them to the poor. Peter followed the way of Christ where as the rich young ruler chose to walk away. The one advantage that both these young men had over us is that they had a face to face encounter with Jesus. They knew exactly who they were speaking to and exactly what it was they were asked to do. We, on the other hand, do not have such an advantage. That is why at times we need to walk away from a situation and test who it is that is asking us to act.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 says "Test everything. Hold onto the good". In our actions we are to test the spirit from which they came. Ask questions like "does this glorify God?" and "will this action build up my fellow human being?" If the answer to these two questions are yes, then you had better act on it. If the answer is no and the spirit is unsure, then pass it by or continue to test it. Remember, everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. We have been given the daunting task of discerning between the two.

So remember, there is a time for action and there is a time for reflection...but when the time to act is clear, do it!