SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27
1 Corinthians 10:31
Isaiah 42:8

“… do all to the
glory of God.”

TO GOD BE THE GLORY

1 Corinthians 10:31 is the renowned verse that forms the answer to the Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 1: “What is the chief end of man? Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.”

Man naturally seeks his self-promotion. He seeks after worldly things and the fulfilment of fleshly lusts. On the other hand, the Christian is supposed to be one who lives his life in full surrender to the Lord. He is to deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Christ.

Note here in this verse that ALL things are to be done to the glory of God. Everything that we think, say and do must promote God’s name and be done according to the Scriptures. There is not to be any part of life that is not submitted to the leading and direction of the Lord.

For the Corinthian Christians, this included what they ate and drank. They were free to eat all kinds of food. However, if what they ate contravened God’s law, or if it caused their fellow brother’s conscience to be wounded, then they had to give up the right to those foods to protect his weaker conscience. This considerateness is in line with Christ’s teachings to love fellow men, and therefore brings God the glory.

The problem with us is that we often insist on our rights without due consideration of God’s glory. We would rather hold on to our selfish ambitions than submit all aspects of our life to the Lord. Because of our self-centeredness and hypocrisy, we corrupt the testimony of God.

Read therefore the admonition of the Lord in Isaiah 42:8. Let all aspects of our life (church, home, work or play) be done to the promotion of Christ’s name and work.

THOUGHT: Do I steal from Christ’s glory?
PRAYER: Lord, may all areas of my life be pleasing unto Thee.