You can’t see the dangers that are under the water.  When the water is smooth, if you get out of the channel, you still go aground.
– Jeff Smith (yesterday’s sermon)

A few of my additional thoughts:

1. The middle of the channel is the safest place to be.  Instead of asking what is “ok” to do, I should be asking, “What does God most desire for me to do?”  It’s a fool who tries to navigate on the very edge of the channel.
2. The things specifically forbidden in the Bible are dangers we can see.  We KNOW we aren’t supposed to do them — but there are other dangers.  We need to be so in tune with Scripture that we recognise the danger points even if we can’t see them clearly.
3. A pilot can only navigate effectively if his chart is accurate, so you had better have a reliable spiritual guide.  I’ll take the Scriptures.
4. A storm or strong current can take you out of the channel.  You may pilot your boat well and still get into trouble — you had better be depending on the Saviour.