Err on the side of caution?

[Justin]

What's your opinion of "playing it safe, just incase" regarding standards?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Justin

What's your opinion of "playing it safe, just incase" regarding standards?

I can respect it. If someone feels convicted that playing it safe is more comfortable and helps them serve God with a clear conscience I fully support them.

I fall into this crowd in some areas.

[Digging4Truth]

It would seem to denote uncertainty, lack of clarity and fear concerning what God desires to see in us and at what point he would revoke our salvation.

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

It would seem to denote uncertainty, lack of clarity and fear concerning what God desires to see in us and at what point he would revoke our salvation.

I was going to agree with Aquila because it really doesn't matter to me if they want to, but then D4T laid it out there like it really is and I have to say makes much more sense.

Living for God shouldn't be fearful or uncertain.

[Withdrawn]

Ahhh... the "I'd rather make heaven by a mile than miss it by an inch" statement I just referenced in another thread.

IMO, it's absolutely trying to make heaven by works. It's reliance on our own righteousness than God's.

Works only brings the condemnation of the law because you're trying to pay down the debt that Christ already paid for.

Romans 4 - NIV
4 Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation.
5 However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.

Titus 3 - KJV
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life

[192281]

I think people have the right to do as they please. If someone thinks its better to be safe then sorry then so be it. However, I hope those people arent telling others its a matter of heaven or hell and they have to obey their FEAR in order to come to their church or be saved.

[Justin]

Now, what if these conviction or standards come from leadership, and not from an individual basis?

[Withdrawn]

Originally Posted by 192281

I think people have the right to do as they please. If someone thinks its better to be safe then sorry then so be it. However, I hope those people arent telling others its a matter of heaven or hell and they have to obey their FEAR in order to come to their church or be saved.

If they're doing it from God-given conviction, then I agree.

If they're doing it because of fear that has been instilled in them by the "you can never do enough" preaching they've heard all their lives, then I disagree. It frustrates grace the grace of God and puts them under the curse of the law.

[Withdrawn]

Originally Posted by Justin

Now, what if these conviction or standards come from leadership, and not from an individual basis?

I don't believe leadership (I assume you mean the five-fold ministry here) has the authority to make absolutes out of principles. A good leader will provide guidance on how to apply a principle and help the baby grow into maturity so he has the understanding and wisdom form his own relationship with God to know how to apply the principle to his life. (or her, obviously!)

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by Justin

What's your opinion of "playing it safe, just incase" regarding standards?

"Playing it safe"... I hate the attitude. You see, I could claim that not eating shrimp was essential for salvation. Since no one believes that eating shrimp is essential for salvation then I could argue that even if you don't really believe that not eating shrimp is essential to salvation that it would be in your best interest to "play it safe" just incase I was right.