Read
If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.
John 7:17
Reflect
Deciding such matters as which is the best ice cream flavor — chocolate chip, raspberry royale or even plain vanilla — is a question of taste and personal preference. It’s not a question of truth.
Unfortunately, for may people personal preference is the yardstick of truth. It’s not about what actually happened but what you choose to believe. This is unwise, however, because truth stands outside of personal preference. Biblical morality is part of God’s objective truth; there is no personal preference when it comes to things like lying, stealing, cheating — or cheating on your spouse.
When it comes to morality in the Bible, the only personal preference is whether or not you prefer to obey what the Lord has said. The way that we live as people, as parents and as productive members of society should never be a question of preference — as Christians, it’s a divine commandment. Sometimes, personal preference can lead us to wrong choices that deliver us to sin’s door. To walk in God’s truth is to prefer Him over self. Jesus chose to do the will of the Father, and He asks us to do the same thing.
So, the next time you have a little ice cream, consider your flavors carefully. There seem to be endless choices, and all of them have their merits. But when it comes to serving the Lord, preference or taste melts into truth.
Reflection copyright © 2021 Doug DeBolt and Charles Fulton.
