Expediency is a concept that we are finding more and more in our culture-"getting it done fast, regardless of the cost." Inherent in this is cutting corners, thinking outside the box, and change just for the sake of change.

Words seem to change in meaning over time. The origin of this word is Latin: ex means out, and ped means foot. The word came about from the forest laws of England when the balls or claws of a dog's front feet were cut out in order to preserve the king's game. Later it simply took on the meaning of haste or speed. This word has now taken on a negative connotation. Selfishness has crept in. Expediency today has come to mean throwing good principles under the bus for the sake of progress and acceptance.

In today's post-modern thinking, the concept of expedience is: ‘if it works, do it.' One consideration is missing-is it biblical or is it proper in a particular circumstance? For example, we hear about it in relation to freedom of speech. It is erroneously repeated regarding first amendment rights that "people are free to say anything they want to." But there are circumstances when it is unlawful, such as crying "Fire!" in a crowded theater. In the marketplace, we see a lot of cheap, made-in-China products flooding our stores because manufacturers have found it expedient for them and their profit-margin. There is no advantage for our workers or quality for consumers.

Expediency is the reigning principle of politicians today. Candidates adjust their positions daily for the sake of expediency. Ronald Reagan once mused, "Someone once said that every form of government has one characteristic peculiar to it, and if that characteristic is lost, the government will fall. In a monarchy, it is affection and respect for the royal family. If that is lost, the monarch is lost. In a dictatorship, it is fear. If the people stop fearing the dictator, he'll lose power. In a representative government such as ours, it is virtue. If virtue goes, the government fails. Are we choosing paths that are politically expedient and morally questionable? Are we in truth losing our virtue? . . . If so, we may be nearer the dustbin of history than we realize."

In the Greek New Testament there is also a word that is translated "expedient" (sumphero). The root word is speudo (English derivation of "speed"). It has the meaning of "advantageous" (Jn. 11:50; 16:7; 18:14; 1 Cor. 6:12; 10:23; 2 Cor. 8:10; 12:1)

Christians and Christian churches have also fallen prey to the temptation of expediency-making decisions that have the appearance of being advantageous, without regard to their biblical foundation or their effect on the whole body of Christ.

And even when something is lawful, that does not mean it is expedient or advantageous. Paul, when speaking of not bringing offense to weaker brothers, says, "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not" (I Cor. 10:23).

Even if something is lawful, it is not always advantageous to others. Often we make the mistake of thinking that if something is advantageous to ourselves or our cause, and it is lawful, we have every right to do it. Many things are lawful, but not all things are expedient. Not everything edifies-builds another up. The question of advantage is not whether it is to our advantage.

There are two principles that Christians must follow when they make decisions.

First, does it glorify God? Will what I or the church decides to do actually bring greater praise to God? Will it serve His cause? In order for that to take place, it will have to be in conformity to the Word of God. Nothing outside of God's will can bring Him glory or honor.

Secondly, will it edify others? Will it be an advantage to others, or just to me? The Apostle Paul says that he can eat any food, but for the sake of those weaker brothers that might be offended, he would not do it. Why? Because it would not be to their advantage. It would not build them up. It would lead them astray.

There is plenty of room for the proper exercise of expediency (getting it done) in our lives. What is expedient for a Christian will have to be defined in terms of the Bible, not in terms of pragmatism. It will have to be defined in terms of what demonstrates love to God and to our neighbor. That is expedient for us to do.