Do Everything for the Glory of God
The Question Behind Every Decision: Does This Glorify God?
SCRIPTURE:
1 Corinthians 10:31-33 NKJV - Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
OBSERVATION:
In Chapter ten, Paul addresses the question of eating meat offered to idols. The issue had become divisive in the church. You had two camps, those who saw nothing wrong with it (Corinthians 10:29-33) and others who took offense.
Paul said in chapter eight, “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” The point was that love should compel us, not knowledge. “We should not be a stumbling block to the weak.”
In chapter nine, it says, “We should be all things to all men, that, if possible, all might be saved.” There are three things we can practice to be ALL things: doctrine, behavior, and approach. While our doctrine should never change, our behavior and approach may need to.
The answer to the question was given in verses twenty-five and twenty-nine.
1 Corinthians 10:25, 29 NKJV - Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience' sake; ..."Conscience," I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man's conscience?
1 Corinthians 10:31-33 NKJV - Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
OBSERVATION:
In Chapter ten, Paul addresses the question of eating meat offered to idols. The issue had become divisive in the church. You had two camps, those who saw nothing wrong with it (Corinthians 10:29-33) and others who took offense.
Paul said in chapter eight, “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” The point was that love should compel us, not knowledge. “We should not be a stumbling block to the weak.”
In chapter nine, it says, “We should be all things to all men, that, if possible, all might be saved.” There are three things we can practice to be ALL things: doctrine, behavior, and approach. While our doctrine should never change, our behavior and approach may need to.
The answer to the question was given in verses twenty-five and twenty-nine.
1 Corinthians 10:25, 29 NKJV - Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience' sake; ..."Conscience," I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man's conscience?
The cow belonged to the Lord when it was on the hoof, and it belongs to the Lord now that it is on the barbecue! The food wasn’t the issue, the idol worshipping atmosphere was the issue. – David Guzik.
APPLICATION:
Paul is not talking about offending others' legalism… But he is talking about doing everything for the glory of God. Be sensitive… to both sides.
Paul is not talking about offending others' legalism… But he is talking about doing everything for the glory of God. Be sensitive… to both sides.
The purpose of our lives isn’t to see how much we can get away with and still be Christians; rather, it is to glorify God. If the Corinthian Christian would have kept this principle in mind from the beginning in this issue, how much easier it would have made everything! – David Guzik.
We should do as Paul said in chapter eleven.
1 Corinthians 11:1 NKJV - Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
There are many questions about whether Paul was referring to chapter ten or eleven. Was this verse a continuation of “Follow my example as I seek to bless others instead of pleasing myself,” or was it in context with “Follow my example as I respect God’s order and authority in the church”?
Either way, both have their place. When we seek to follow Christ, we will not have to say, “Don’t look at me; look at Jesus.” Paul was not afraid to say, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” Are we?
Let everything be done for the glory of God, not for us. That alone will resolve many arguments!
PRAYER:
Jesus, may I follow You so that as others follow me, they see YOU! May my life reflect You in all I do, in word and deed. May I become all things to all men for the gospel’s sake.
1 Corinthians 11:1 NKJV - Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
There are many questions about whether Paul was referring to chapter ten or eleven. Was this verse a continuation of “Follow my example as I seek to bless others instead of pleasing myself,” or was it in context with “Follow my example as I respect God’s order and authority in the church”?
Either way, both have their place. When we seek to follow Christ, we will not have to say, “Don’t look at me; look at Jesus.” Paul was not afraid to say, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” Are we?
Let everything be done for the glory of God, not for us. That alone will resolve many arguments!
PRAYER:
Jesus, may I follow You so that as others follow me, they see YOU! May my life reflect You in all I do, in word and deed. May I become all things to all men for the gospel’s sake.
When glorifying God becomes the filter for everything we do, most of our conflicts and divisions will resolve themselves.
Posted in 07 - 1 Corinthians
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