joeSOC wrote,
"Am I correct in understanding that once the scripture is living in a persons life and they have renewed their thinking according to scripture they will be able to discern the will of God to the precise degree of accuracy as can be seen in Romans 12:2"
In theory, yes. In practice, no. If we all had a perfect understanding of the Word, and if our hearts and minds were perfectly renewed, then we would know precisely what to do in every circumstance. This is why Paul is able to tell Timothy, the scriptures make us perfect unto every work." The reality is that our understanding is never complete in this life. Thus we must "study to show ourselves approved." Although we know what to do in certain cases, others baffle us and require a further search of the scriptures.
As for what is honest work, the bible has in great clarity determined what that is. In the following statements, the term "ordinarily" should be taken to mean the "usual and expected activities" involved in a service or profession. For instance, a general carpenter does not ordinarily expect to receive requests to fashion idols, but a Christian is debarred from intentional involvement in the art of idol making.
Honest Work in the Sight of God
1.) Honest work may be done to the glory of God, either directly by declaring His doctrine, or indirectly by serving the necessities and comforts of mankind for the improvement and right enjoyment of society. Honest work does not ordinarily cause persons to attribute to anything else that which properly belongs to God alone. That which properly belongs to God alone is divine worship, ultimate trust, final satisfaction, and acknowledgment as the sole source of all holiness and real good.
2.) Honest work does not ordinarily create false representations of God, or obstruct others from correct worship of Him.
3.) Honest work takes no ordinary part in blasphemous uses of God's name, nor slanderous characterizations of His person.
4.) Honest work does not ordinarily prevent others from gathering with believers for the times of weekly worship appointed by local elders under authority of God, except for acts of mercy and necessity. Honest work does not inhumanely oppress oneself or others with overwork, or in any way harm one's neighbor unjustly. Honest work ordinarily allows for at least one day in seven for useful rest from labor.
5.) Honest work does not ordinarily involve any sinful dishonoring of one's parents, whether through neglect, misuse, or otherwise, nor of those whom God has appointed over oneself for the administration of society, such as civil and military leaders.
6.) Honest work does not ordinarily involve any unjust killing or harming, both physically or essentially, of others.
7.) Honest work does not ordinarily involve laying a stumbling block to commit adultery, whether physically or essentially, in the path of others.
8.) Honest work does not ordinarily involve intentional theft or unjust procurement of goods, materially or essentially, for the purpose of personal or corporate gain.
9.) Honest work does not ordinarily involve personal deceit, nor does it compel others to lie, distort truth, or any way misrepresent facts.
10.) Honest work does not ordinarily promote corrupt desires for personal or corporate gain at the unjust expense of others, but seeks through industry to increase the mutual good of others.
All of honest work is summed up in the command to love God with all our heart, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
The same mechanism of the commandments can be applied to any circumstance, through the lens of the Beatitudes.
God bless you.
