The key verse Pastor Brad used for this week's message was 1 Corinthians 6:12:   ¹²All 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.  What does it mean that "all things are lawful for me"?  Does it mean we may go out and sin indiscriminately, and God's okay with that?  Of course not!  The Apostle Paul was pointing out to the Corinthian believers that we are no longer under the Law of Moses, because of the salvation Jesus provided us through His death on the cross.

The Corinthians lived in an idol worshiping culture.  Syncretism or incorporating the beliefs of several religions into one, was common.   The Apostle Paul wanted the Corinthian believers to know that God had delivered them from rigid legalism, whether Jewish legalism, or any other kind.  However, just because we are free to do anything--thus anything is lawful--because Jesus died to forgive our sins, that does not mean all things are "expedient" as the King James Version translates it or "beneficial" as the New International version translates it.  In fact, many things in our lives aren't good for us, even though they aren't technically sinful.

That's the major point of this week's focus on Rock n Roll.  Is Rock n Roll sinful in and of itself?  No.  No style of music is sinful.  What determines the usefulness of a piece of music (or total lack thereof!) from a believer's standpoint is the lyrics.  After all, as we noted yesterday, there is no such thing as "Christian music," only Christian lyrics.  Thus, lyrics set to a Rock n Roll style may glorify God, and lyrics set to a traditional hymn tune may not.  The key is to consider what the words are calling us to be and do.  Are they calling us to appreciate nature?  To rob a bank?  To submit ourselves to God's control?  To be selfish and arrogant?  In each case we know whether the lyrics are expedient or beneficial, don't we? 

What would happen if you would take each situation you experience today, each conversation, each opportunity to listen to music or watch television, each action you consider taking and ask the question:  Is this beneficial for me and others?  What would happen if after asking the question, you would let the Holy Spirit control the response, both in terms of the answer given and the action taken?  We know the answer to that question, don't we?  It would be an amazing day of glorifying God and pointing others to Him.  Why not try it today!

Heavenly Father, Thanks for a new day!  Thanks for the opportunity to do what's beneficial to us and others.  Fill us anew with Your Holy Spirit that we may glorify You in all we think, say and do.  This we pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.