Do All for the Glory of God.

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 1 Corinthians 10:23-33

 

1 Corinthians 10:31

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

(ESV)

 

In a land of freedom like the United States, many believe freedom gives them the right to do whatever they want. However, actions have consequences so even though one has a right to do something, they also need to consider the consequences of their actions. For example, in the United States people have freedom of speech and can say anything they want to someone, but what we say could have negative consequences on their relationship with that person.

 

This text begins with Paul declaring all things are lawful in Christ but not necessarily helpful or beneficial in building someone up (1 Corinthians 10:23). In other words, what we do may be lawful but have consequences that are not helpful or beneficial for building someone up (1 Corinthians 10:24). Paul then returns to the issue of dietary restrictions by stating the freedom those in Christ have to eat whatever they want with a clear conscience because the earth is the Lord’s (1 Corinthians 10:25-26). Paul then sets the scenario of one invited to dinner and then told the food was offered in sacrifice to an idol. In this instance, Paul teaches them to abstain from eating it so the one inviting them to dinner does not assume they condone idol worship (1 Corinthians 10:27-29). The believer's conscience is clear when they partake of food with thankfulness and should not be denounced by someone else’s conscience that does not allow eating such foods (1 Corinthians 10:30).

 

The bottom line is that whether we eat or drink food sacrificed to idols or whatever we do, we should do all for the glory of God but this does not include sinful activities for sin never glorifies God (1 Corinthians 10:31). We are not to give offense to Jews for their dietary restrictions, Greeks for their lack of restrictions or to the church of God by placing unnecessary restrictions on people (1 Corinthians 10:32). When doing things for the glory of God we eliminate any selfish motive for what we do and do things to please God by serving others (1 Corinthians 10:33).

 

The Church in Corinth is a troubled Church with divisions and people idolizing those under whose ministry they received Christ (1 Corinthians 3). The Corinthians were also full of immorality (1 Corinthians 5). Paul had also just warned the Corinthians to avoid idolatry, something many of the Corinthians believers practiced before their salvation (1 Corinthians 10:1-22).

 

In Christ and by the vision received at the house of Simon the Tanner (Acts 10:9-16), believers in Christ have the freedom to eat whatever they want. However, Paul instructs the Corinthians not to flaunt their new freedom for their advantage but to do all for the glory of God. They are not to use their freedom to offend Jews, Gentiles, or the Church of God but as a means of pointing people to Christ.

 

The freedom Christians have in Christ is freedom from sin and not the freedom to continue living in sin believing that God’s grace covers their sins (Romans 6:1-14). Instead of living in sin and glorifying sin in our lives, when we receive Jesus as our Savior, we are to lose conformity to the world and experience transformation through the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). Unfortunately, many Churches today do not preach on the topic of sin so as not to offend any sinners in the congregation who may leave and take their contributions with them. The biblical truth is that all people in the Church, including the ones in the pulpit have sinned (Romans 3:23). Granted, anyone confessing their belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ has experienced salvation and the forgiveness of sin by the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:9-10), with sin the reason Jesus had to die. Therefore, if one in ministry does not preach about sin, he is depriving people of accepting God’s gift of salvation and an understanding of why Jesus needed to come and die for their sins for sin is a capital offense (Romans 6:23).

 

Anyone reading this who has a calling to ministry in his or her life should learn from Paul’s teaching in this text and do all for the glory of God without altering the message to appease the congregation. Woe to anyone in ministry who gives in to the temptation not to offend by talking about sin, depriving people attending their Church of the opportunity to receive salvation through the grace of God forgiving their sins. If we believe we have not sinned, we are a liar, denying the need to confess our sins (1 John 1:9-10). If you are reading this post and have never confessed your sins and made a profession of faith in Jesus as your Savior, I encourage you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.