These are two of life’s most important characteristics. We understand them best by considering someone who conducts himself in the opposite way, and by thinking about it. When a person decides not to do something, but when he does not resolve to do it, then in and by itself his resolve is nullified by his pathetic indecision. Such a person is double-minded. He wants to and does not want to. He does not know what he wants. Instead of “You double-minded,” it says “You indecisive men” in the French Bible translation. Jas. 4:8. At the moment that you have resolved to do some good, regardless of what it is, the blessed and blessing power of action is set in motion immediately so that it is carried out without hesitation. This is what the adage, “Much bleating but little wool” denotes. This is the very thing that weighed so heavily on James’ heart: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only . . . .” Jas. 1:22.Elias Aslaksen

“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful; all things are lawful for me, but all things do not edify. Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.” 1 Cor. 6:12, 10:23-24. Most people who read this usually read, “All things are lawful for us.” Paul often writes “we” and “us,” but here he writes “me.” He was not willing to vouch for the others on this point. Who is it for whom all things are lawful? Obviously it is those who do not seek their own, but the others’ well-being. All things are lawful for them. “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” Col. 3:2. Such people have entered into a race; they have come into a development to be servants. When we have this mind, all things are lawful for us. As time goes by, we will receive an increasingly better understanding as to what is helpful—what is for the others’ well-being. When those who desire earthly things take this verse as a comfort and guidance for their life, they will go astray. Many people search the Scriptures to find something that will support their lusts and their earthly desires. Such people need to be born again before they can enter into the glorious liberty of the sons of God—those for whom all things are lawful. We are thankful for the police, and we are thankful for laws and regulations that can keep people who seek their own in their place. It would be terrible if everything were lawful for them. They are in bondage, and they need to be kept under guard. However, those who seek the things that are above, where Jesus is, at the right hand of God—they are free. In this race everything is lawful for them. They think of things that are helpful, edifying, and for the others’ best. They are glorious people living in glorious liberty.Sigurd Bratlie