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.

One of those social media questions was posted asking, what would you do if it were not illegal? The question poses an interesting dilemma for Christians in that there are a multitude of things which are leggal in which we do not participate.

For Christians behavaior is not a matter of legality but rather character. Who we says more about what we do and do not do in this world. Our insistence in not participating in certain legal behaviors has garnished us some unsavory titles and even broken some friendships.

Here Paul is saying that the law has ended as the determining factor for righteousness. This issue of lawfulness is not a legal matter but rather a relational matter. Our right standing before God does not change because of what we allow ourselves to do.

Then why restrict ourselves in anything if it doesn’t matter?

The consequences of sin do not change just because our eternal salvation is secured. But it’s legal! Maybe so but being legal does not mean it isn’t still sin.

Romans 14:4-5 Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

The conversation at hand was over esteeming days as being sacred or not. That is a spiritual distinction, not a legal distinction.

Romans 14:22-23 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Psalm 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Psalm 25:11 For thy name’s sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.

Psalm 31:3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.

Psalm 79:9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name’s sake.

Psalm 106:8 Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.

Psalm 109:21 But do thou for me, O God the Lord, for thy name’s sake: because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me.

Psalm 115:1 Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.

Psalm 143:11 Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.

Matthew 10:22a And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake:

Matthew 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

Luke 21:12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.

Revelation 2:2-3 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.