1 Corinthians 4:6, “Do not go beyond what is written"

How can we not be judgmental and at the same time have the freedom to be who we are in Christ? People can often assume that how God has led them, is how He is leading others; this brings bondage to both parties. Some Christians use a form of “religious speak” that can intimidate other believers, especially when a claim is made that “God told me to tell you.” This can be intimidating to new Christians who are eager to do things right and please their Savior. How do we apply grace in the context of standards of contact and choices?

Scripture is clear that God is and wants to be active in every believer's life. He guides us and gives direction to our life sometimes with very clear statements from the Bible and at other times God gives us "promptings" that are very personal, that should be obeyed in faith but should not be interpreted as obligations for all Christians. As God leads us into a certain style or emphasis based on our unique gifts and experiences, "leadings" these should never be used as the basis for judging another's spirituality.

Proverbs 6:22 reminds us of the power of the Word of God to speak personally into our lives, When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you! There is much wisdom in not, “going beyond what is written” in Scripture! Here is a helpful flow chart to help you develop your own grace standards. The highest level is the “precept” which is the explicitly written Word of God that Baptists, Nazarenes, Calvinists and Arminians, dispensationalists and reformed all agree on. At the lowest level are personal “preferences.” It at this lowest level that personal perspectives threaten health relationship. Growing in the "grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" that results in Him receiving maximum glory "now and forever" (2 Peter 3:18) is the path of the maturing Christian life!


A Precept is ... the clear and specific written Word

• Authoritative for All
• Applied Universally
• Illustration: Murder, chose to obey

A Principle is ... the clear but general written Word

• Authoritative for All
• Applied Individually
• Illustration: Stewardship, chose to drive Chevy or BMW

A Prompting is ... a conviction that does not contradict the written Word

• Authoritative Individually
• Applied Personally
• Illustration: Hospitality, chose to invite or not invite

A Preference is ... an expression of our personality and life experiences

• Authoritative for None
• Applied Privately
• Illustration: Colors, chose to hang yellow or blue curtains

Selected Passages

Mark 12:30, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
Colossians 4:6, Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Romans 12:10, Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Romans 15:2, Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

Colossians 3:17, And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Romans 13:14, Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Galatians 6:8, The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

1 Thessalonians 2:4, On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.

2 Corinthians 5:9, So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.

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