We often wish there were clear directions, maybe a list, to help us make all the right decisions. As a result, many fall prey to legalistic standards that propose these kinds of things. They promise that if you wear the right clothes, say the right things, follow the proper rules, and pay homage to the right people, you will make the right decisions, and God will bless you. Unfortunately, legalism doesn’t work. Following man-made rules does not lead to correct decisions or God’s blessing.

However, as we stated at the outset, God’s Word contains everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). This means that God’s Word contains everything we need to make wise decisions and develop wise convictions. Over the last several months, we have looked at various principles found in scripture that can help us in this endeavor. Not every principle applies to every situation. And there are principles that we did not cover. The goal was to demonstrate how to study scripture, mine out the principles, and apply them to our lives. Further, we observed that two Christians who love the Lord can approach the same situation, use the same principles, come to polar opposite conclusions, and both be correct.

The first principle we observed was the principle of sin and Christian liberty. As God’s children, we must take sin seriously. Rather than play games with scripture to make gray what God declared in black and white, we should endeavor to obey God in all things. If God says it is sin, don’t do it! However, there are many gray things in scripture. In those cases, Christians have the liberty before God to work through His Word and arrive at their own conclusions about what is best. Having said that, just because it is not a sin does not mean that we should go ahead and act.

The second principle we observed was the principle of expediency. We should not sacrifice what is best on the altar of what is ok. Observing two texts in 1 Corinthians, Paul encourages us that not all things are best. Some things control us, and we should not be controlled by anything other than the Holy Spirit. Some things do not serve to further our relationship with God and instead hinder it. As believers, we should value our relationship with God above all else. So, just because you can does not mean that you should. If that action or decision controls you or hinders your walk with God, don’t do it!

Third, we observed the principle of love. We should love our fellow believers more than our desires. 1 Corinthians 8 and Romans 14 reveal that when Christians disagree on an action or conviction that is not black and white in scripture, they should rush to serve one another, not judge one another. When the issue becomes a dividing line, the church is hurt. However, sacrificing for one another in this way requires humility. It requires admitting that both sides can be correct with polar opposite conclusions. And it requires that I love God and His church more than my desires. Sadly, we often see man-made standards (regarding clothing, music, and activities) mean more to Christians than the souls of their fellow believers. These things ought not to be. Christian love will deny self. If this action or decision does not serve or demonstrate love to your fellow believer, don’t do it!

The fourth principle looked inward to our conscience. As Paul concluded Romans 14, he challenged us that anything that is not of faith is a sin. Anything we cannot do with a clear conscience, believing we are right before God, should be avoided. Beyond the usual temptation we face, Christians often struggle as they see fellow believers acting in a way they do not understand. Concluding that these actions must be permissible before God, Christians violate their conscience and, in doing so, sin. Thus, training our conscience by the Word of God is essential. Yet, until we are fully convinced from scripture that the action or conviction is not sin, we should avoid it. If your conscience bothers you with the decision or action, don’t do it!

We next turned to the principle of God’s glory! The purpose of life is to make God look as good as He really is. Thus, this desire should drive every action and conviction. Rather than live life for our prestige, we live to proclaim Christ! I am convinced that the better part of most Christians’ day-to-day lives would be drastically altered if they lived with God’s glory in mind. If the action or decision does not lead to you fulfilling your purpose of bringing God glory, don’t do it!

Finally, we looked at the principle of the gospel. We should make it our goal to declare the gospel in everything we do. From 1 Corinthians 9, we observe that we should be willing to give up our rights because we love the gospel. We should be willing to give up our rights because we love people. And we should be willing to give up our rights because we love eternity. If this action or decision will hinder gospel opportunities, don’t do it!

Scripture contains many more principles that you can use to help make wise biblical decisions. However, you cannot know them if you do not search the scripture yourself. God’s Word must be present in every part of your life. If you claim to be a Christian and do not spend regular time in God’s Word, you cannot expect to make decisions that please God. It is like attempting to assemble a pressboard dresser without the instructions. Search God’s Word and bring its lessons to your decision-making. When you do this, you will find peace as you navigate difficult decisions.

We were told we would have to wait days to learn who the next president would be. We wondered if we would see another election stained by accusations of foul play. Many were uneasy at the thought of a decidedly anti-Christian, anti-Biblical-morality candidate winning the election. By God’s grace, none of these came to pass. As I sit reflecting on what happened this election cycle, I believe it is essential to encourage us as believers on how we should think and respond in situations like this. As a result, I would like to encourage you with three thoughts.

First, it is clear that God has granted us a reprieve from the bullet train of wickedness that has been hurtling down the tracks. While there is little doubt that society’s degradation will continue, it will hopefully slow for a time. The potential of persecutory laws against those who hold to a Christian worldview has all but disappeared for a time. For this, we are thankful. God does not owe this country anything. Yet, God saw fit to give us more time to battle the evil around us.

Second, we should continue to rest in God’s sovereign care. Whether Harris had won or, as happened, Trump won, God is the sovereign ruler of all who places and deposes leaders (Daniel 4:25). It is natural for believers to feel angst and anxiety as we consider the potential of wicked rulers. Yet, we must remind ourselves every election that God is not on the ballot. Christ’s throne is not a democracy. He reigns eternal. Further, we must remind ourselves, regardless of the election outcome, that Christ’s Kingdom is coming and that God has sovereignly ordained everything that happens towards that end. So we rest. Jesus told us, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27).

Finally, we must recognize that this election is only a reprieve. “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7). President-elect Trump is not the Messiah. True and lasting change can only come from Christ. And His power flows through the Gospel (Romans 1:16). Celebrate elections if you must. But remember where your true citizenship lies. We seek a city whose builder and maker is God. And we desire that all we know and love join us as citizens of this greater and better Kingdom. Use the reprieve that God has granted to seek Gospel advance.

Rejoice and give thanks for the gracious mercy God showed us this week. Recognize that all come from His sovereign hand. And use this time as an opportunity for the Gospel. We are privileged to live in the greatest country on earth. Let us not waste that privilege on the temporal and frivolous. Instead, seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.

I am taking a break from our study regarding decision-making this week because I want to share a lesson that God has driven home to me in the last twenty-four hours. I have coached my boys’ soccer teams for the past twelve years. I watched them grow from fun little guys into men who now tower over me. Each stage has been an incredible blessing. Last night, that chapter of life closed for my oldest son. As he walked off the field, ending his senior season of high school, it hit me that I would no longer be on the bench as he came off the field—no more practices or strategy sessions as a coach. I went out to him and met him on the field. Through tears, we hugged each other. I expressed my pride in him and thanked him for letting me coach him. It also hit me that I will do this again with my other son next year. That one will be harder because then it will be all done.

This morning, I received a call from my dad that my mom suffered a stroke. As I write this, we are still waiting to discover the long-term impacts. Thankfully, it appears that her life is not in immediate jeopardy. Yet, it reminded me that life is brief. We all have an end date, and we don’t get to decide or know when it is. Each day is a gift.

These events remind me that we must live each day for Christ while we can. We must savor every day that God gives us. In James 4, James addresses the foolishness of believing that we control life. In verse 13, he challenges those who make plans with the belief that they are in control. In verse 14, he reminds us, “You do not know what tomorrow will bring.” Our lives are like steam coming off a pot of boiling water. It appears, and then it is gone.

So often, we live life as though nothing will change and everything will remain forever. Yet we know that this is not true. It feels like our children grow up overnight. Our minds tell us we are young, while our bodies scream otherwise. Before long, we look in the mirror, and an old person stares at us. Life keeps moving. But this is not a sad or terrible thing. Each season of life holds importance. God has sovereignly ordained each segment and event. James reveals that our role is to acknowledge God throughout. We should respond, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As we walk through every stage, we must acknowledge God. Acknowledging God means more than lip service. It involves walking in obedience to Him.

We should treat each day as a precious gift from God. I see two practical ramifications. First, savor each day. While we plan for the future and work for what is coming, we must not overlook the day in which we live. Parents, your kids will not always be there. When they ask you to do something with them, prioritize it. Put down what you are doing and spend quality time with them. Kids (both old and young), your parents will not always be there. Don’t dismiss them for insignificant things. Talk to them, hug them, and spend time with them.

Second, money and events don’t last. Relationships and service for Christ last. I do not regret missing money-making opportunities to coach my boys. I do not regret missing time working on my car or reading my books to play with my kids. I do not regret prioritizing friendships over things. Make sure you prioritize the things that matter. In the last twenty-four hours, one chapter with my son closed, and my mom suffered a significant health event. These events reminded me to enjoy and make the most of where I am now. Life changes quickly.

When Hudson Taylor arrived as a missionary in China, he found a culture far different than the one he left in England. They spoke a different language, ate different food, and dressed differently. Very quickly, he recognized that he would need to adapt to reach this people group. So he grew his hair out, braided it down the back in one long braid, and began to wear the customary Chinese robes. Those who visited from England were appalled at his appearance. How could he dress in this crazy way? Yet, Hudson Taylor recognized something that most of us don’t: he needed to give up his rights for the gospel’s sake.

Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church reveals a church in turmoil. There was a group within the church that claimed superior knowledge. They then demanded that everyone reject the church leadership and follow what they thought and said because they had superior knowledge. Throughout the book, Paul challenged the church to humble themselves and surrender their rights for the gospel’s sake. At the beginning of chapter 9, Paul reminded the church that he had a right to expect them to care for him financially as a pastor. However, the Corinthians had failed to care for Paul in this way. Yet, Paul did not demand they fulfill his rights. Instead, he did not hold their failure against them but ministered all the more to them for the gospel’s sake.

As Paul turned the corner into the second half of 1 Corinthians 9, he informed the church that he did not write the letter to ensure that he was receiving his rights but rather to surrender his rights. He presented himself as an example of a person who prioritized the gospel and unity. We often care about our rights and desires more than we care for others and the church’s unity. We demand that others notice us and follow our thoughts rather than sacrifice for the sake of others. This text reminds us that the cause of Christ matters more than our preferences and desires as we make decisions. From Paul, we learn three reasons why we should be willing to give up our rights, preferences, and desires for the gospel’s sake in our decisions.

We will cover the first today and the others over the next few weeks. First, we give up our rights because we love the gospel. In verse 15, Paul clarifies that he is not simply rebuking the Corinthian church for failing to care for him as they should have. He is writing to demonstrate that they also should humble themselves and give up their rights. They should do this out of a love for the gospel. Our passion for the gospel should play a deciding factor as we make decisions.

We must remember that our rewards are eternal, not temporal, to accomplish this attitude. Paul reveals that his passion for preaching the gospel was not monetary or laudatory. His motivation in preaching the Gospel was God’s compulsion in his life. He loved the gospel, so he could not help but proclaim it. He loved God, so he could not help but live for Him. If earthly rewards resulted, so be it. However, even if earthly rewards did not come, it did not matter. For Paul recognized that he lived for eternity. Groups vying for praise and power marked the Corinthians church. They threatened to continue to cut Paul off financially if he did not surrender to their control. However, their power plays held no sway over his decisions because he did not live for earthly power, praise, or wealth. A passion for the gospel marked his decisions. A passion for the eternal souls of men being united with God’s Kingdom marked his decisions.

In short, Paul informs us that his reward for proclaiming the gospel was faithfulness to Christ. His reward and boast did not come from any earthly source but from the proclamation of the gospel itself. He lived for God’s glory, so the gospel was the reward. Too many Christians today look to earthly means as the reward. They want the recognition and praise of others. They want people to know them and follow them. They are unwilling to relinquish their rights and humble themselves with a teachable spirit. Sadly, because of this, they have their reward here on earth. On the other hand, when we fulfill our purpose of bringing God glory in all things, we also find contentment and satisfaction.

The average Christian loves many things: family, sports, hobbies, politics, and jobs. We discover these passions simply through time spent with them. Shortly into any conversation, these topics arise. These things dominate the decision-making process. Sadly, many of us should admit that opportunities to proclaim and live out the gospel rarely come into play as we converse or make decisions. This sad reality reveals that, despite our protestations, we don’t love the gospel as much as we think.

We should be willing to surrender our rights for the gospel’s sake. We might need to protest less about our political differences and proclaim more about our spiritual differences (the fact that the individual is headed to eternal judgment while we are headed to eternal righteousness) and plead with them to join us on our side of that vital difference. It might mean that we stay with a job we might not love because we have built a relationship with coworkers that is leading to their salvation. It might mean allowing ourselves to be taken advantage of to keep the relationship open for gospel opportunities. When we love the gospel, it drives all our decisions. Does it drive yours?