"Accept the one whose faith is weak without quarreling over disputable matters" (Rom. 14:1, NIV).
"I have the freedom to do anything, but I won't be controlled by anything" (1 Cor. 6:12, CEB).
"Everything is permitted, but everything isn't beneficial. Everything is permitted, but everything doesn't build others up" (1 Cor. 10:23, CEB).
"So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, you should do it all for God's glory" (CEB).
"The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD" (Prov. 16:33, NIV).
Some believers may feel holier-than-thou (cf. Isa. 65:5) and by restraining from what they define as gambling--the lottery, they get a spiritual high. They may even have told them that God told them so! This is hogwash and mysticism, for God doesn't reveal truths to a certain elite group of privileged believers so that only they are in the know. They may feel this is their weakness, to gamble, but this is a personal choice, not something the Bible forbids directly nor indirectly by implying. First, Christianity isn't a list of dos and don'ts as if we are better Christians if we don't do this or that: e.g., watching the hemlines, ticket lines, and hairlines to legalists. Christianity isn't about what you don't do, but a relationship with Christ in knowing Him. There is so little stated in Scripture about gambling that you just can't make any anti-gambling case on it. When the Bible does forbid something and you do it, that's sin, not legalism. We don't need a longer to-do list or what-not-to-do list.
The Bible does state that the faith you have, keep to yourself and don't be a stumbling block. We are not to go "beyond that which is written" (cf. 1 Cor. 4:6). When our conscience is clear, we see right and wrong clearly and it can be a guide, but if the conscience isn't enlightened by Scripture it is a hindrance to spirituality. He that is spiritual must make the Bible his ultimate, final rule of faith. We question authority when it contravenes Scripture. Caveat: Don't focus on the sin of others and apply the Word to them, apply it to yourself--we all tend to see other people's sins. (As a rule of thumb the Bible nowhere prohibits the casting of lots, which was common, and by the argument from silence one could reason that it's up to the individual person, situation, or conscience.)
One might argue that God will supply all their needs and you don't need to gamble, but that doesn't mean God won't give a little extra blessing from time to time, something going above and beyond the mere essentials. CAVEAT: When believers start quoting God and claiming God spoke to them to grant them special revelation so that they know something others don't, this is mysticism. A believer must never feel condemned or judged by another believer nor let him be put under any nonbiblical criticism: The Scripture plainly says in Rom. 8:1 that there is "no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," period! Who is he who condemns but the devil and accuser of the brethren? (Cf. Rom. 8:34). Who wants to play the role of adversary to the believer?
The problem inherent in legalism is seeing sins, not sin. Going by the letter of the law, not the Spirit. It is said that the old nature knows no law, while the new nature needs no law. We must refrain from ignoring major sins and focusing scrupulously on minor points or sins (cf. Matt. 23:23-24). Some sins are indeed more serious and deserve more attention. The only cure for legalism and its influence is a thorough study of the Word and to become grace-oriented. We must not bind people with legalistic demands but set them free; however, we are not ever free to live as we want, but as we ought. We ought to impose no restraint on the believer that is unbiblical, or that which goes beyond that which is written (cf. 1 Cor. 4:4).
What is important is that we overcome the sin which so easily entangles us (cf. Heb. 12:1), and from our private sin. We don't want any certain sin to dominate us (cf. Psa. 119:133): "...let no sin rule over me." We are overcomers when we have our own sins under control, and not what others define as sin; for some things may be sin for one person and not another--"whatever is not of faith is sin" (cf. Rom. 14:23).
Weaker brothers who object should grow in knowledge, while stronger believers ought to grow in love. At any rate, both ought to respect the faith of the other in dubious or questionable areas. In fact, the faith you have, you are to keep to yourself between you and God as much as possible; this means don't parade your freedom or flaunt it before others! In sum, the legalistic believer is living in paralysis, a parody of the real thing--not realizing his real freedom in Christ. Soli Deo Gloria!
"I have the freedom to do anything, but I won't be controlled by anything" (1 Cor. 6:12, CEB).
"Everything is permitted, but everything isn't beneficial. Everything is permitted, but everything doesn't build others up" (1 Cor. 10:23, CEB).
"So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, you should do it all for God's glory" (CEB).
"The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD" (Prov. 16:33, NIV).
Some believers may feel holier-than-thou (cf. Isa. 65:5) and by restraining from what they define as gambling--the lottery, they get a spiritual high. They may even have told them that God told them so! This is hogwash and mysticism, for God doesn't reveal truths to a certain elite group of privileged believers so that only they are in the know. They may feel this is their weakness, to gamble, but this is a personal choice, not something the Bible forbids directly nor indirectly by implying. First, Christianity isn't a list of dos and don'ts as if we are better Christians if we don't do this or that: e.g., watching the hemlines, ticket lines, and hairlines to legalists. Christianity isn't about what you don't do, but a relationship with Christ in knowing Him. There is so little stated in Scripture about gambling that you just can't make any anti-gambling case on it. When the Bible does forbid something and you do it, that's sin, not legalism. We don't need a longer to-do list or what-not-to-do list.
The Bible does state that the faith you have, keep to yourself and don't be a stumbling block. We are not to go "beyond that which is written" (cf. 1 Cor. 4:6). When our conscience is clear, we see right and wrong clearly and it can be a guide, but if the conscience isn't enlightened by Scripture it is a hindrance to spirituality. He that is spiritual must make the Bible his ultimate, final rule of faith. We question authority when it contravenes Scripture. Caveat: Don't focus on the sin of others and apply the Word to them, apply it to yourself--we all tend to see other people's sins. (As a rule of thumb the Bible nowhere prohibits the casting of lots, which was common, and by the argument from silence one could reason that it's up to the individual person, situation, or conscience.)
One might argue that God will supply all their needs and you don't need to gamble, but that doesn't mean God won't give a little extra blessing from time to time, something going above and beyond the mere essentials. CAVEAT: When believers start quoting God and claiming God spoke to them to grant them special revelation so that they know something others don't, this is mysticism. A believer must never feel condemned or judged by another believer nor let him be put under any nonbiblical criticism: The Scripture plainly says in Rom. 8:1 that there is "no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," period! Who is he who condemns but the devil and accuser of the brethren? (Cf. Rom. 8:34). Who wants to play the role of adversary to the believer?
The problem inherent in legalism is seeing sins, not sin. Going by the letter of the law, not the Spirit. It is said that the old nature knows no law, while the new nature needs no law. We must refrain from ignoring major sins and focusing scrupulously on minor points or sins (cf. Matt. 23:23-24). Some sins are indeed more serious and deserve more attention. The only cure for legalism and its influence is a thorough study of the Word and to become grace-oriented. We must not bind people with legalistic demands but set them free; however, we are not ever free to live as we want, but as we ought. We ought to impose no restraint on the believer that is unbiblical, or that which goes beyond that which is written (cf. 1 Cor. 4:4).
What is important is that we overcome the sin which so easily entangles us (cf. Heb. 12:1), and from our private sin. We don't want any certain sin to dominate us (cf. Psa. 119:133): "...let no sin rule over me." We are overcomers when we have our own sins under control, and not what others define as sin; for some things may be sin for one person and not another--"whatever is not of faith is sin" (cf. Rom. 14:23).
Weaker brothers who object should grow in knowledge, while stronger believers ought to grow in love. At any rate, both ought to respect the faith of the other in dubious or questionable areas. In fact, the faith you have, you are to keep to yourself between you and God as much as possible; this means don't parade your freedom or flaunt it before others! In sum, the legalistic believer is living in paralysis, a parody of the real thing--not realizing his real freedom in Christ. Soli Deo Gloria!