Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be
rejected if it is received with thanksgiving (1Timothy 4:4).
Certain religious groups have determined that unless
Scripture explicitly approves something, then it must be forbidden. The most
common example of this involves the use of musical instruments in worship.
Because there is no explicit example of instrumental music in New Testament
churches, they deny its use as well. They’re okay for home but not for church.
Other groups, and probably the majority of present day Christians take the
opposite approach. Since there is no explicit prohibition to using instruments
in worship, they see no harm enjoying them in church.
Paul is not writing about musical instruments in this
passage, but about those who have prohibited marriage and certain foods. Paul
says, Wait a minute! The glass is half full, not half empty. Everything God
created is good. Enjoy it, and be thankful to God for the happiness it brings.
But Satan can pervert anything. Enjoying tasty food is good;
gluttony is bad. Sexual desire is good within the bonds of marriage, but
translated into lust and exploitation, it hurts everyone it touches. Making a
living and providing for one’s family is appropriate; transforming a God-given
gift to provide into a miserly appetite to possess more and more while others
go without; that’s just selfish.
God has made these things clean, so don’t call them
unholy! (NCV, Acts 10:15).
TODAY’S MEDITATION
What are you enjoying for
which you need to say, “Thank you”?
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