Do People Want to Be Around You?
1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
At the end of this mini-section, where Paul is teach the Corinthians about the freedom of the Christian, he ends with a verse worth memorizing. "Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." I have found this verse very helpful. After a thorough discussion of eating or not eating meat sacrificed to idols, he ends with how we can handle any decision we make in life. Of course there are some decisions we make that are clearly black or white, but there are a lot of decisions we make that are in the gray area. We need avoid being so oversenstive about every action we take or we will be paralyzed. As long as it is clear we are not causing others to stumble, if we are trying to please God and bring glory we should do it joyfully!
The kingdom of God is not about eating or drinking, but about God's kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven. As we seek him first, and set our hearts to pleasing Him in all we do, the Holy Spirit will guide us. Generally our two fold test for what we do is first, does ut bring glory to God. Second, does it build up a fellow brother or sister in Christ. We use our freedom in Christ to shine God's light in thw world, not out of obligation, because we desire to see Him lifted up.
When you think about how you make decisions, how often do you ask the question, "Does this glorify God?" Consider asking that question, especially if the Holy Spirit prompts you to think twice about something you are about to do. But if your conscience is clean, live in freedom and joy. Christians should be some of the most joyful and fun loving people around. As someone once joked, "Sometimes Christians look like they were baptized in lemon juice!"
The person who reached out to me and got me involved back in the church a while back, had a contagious personality. There was something about him that was inviting, and I could see he had something that I was missing. He wasn't overly religious just fun to be around. I believe that is how God works through us, as we walk in step with Him each day. The key is the gift God has given us in the Holy Spirit. As we walk in reliance on the Holy Spirit, we will exude the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self control. Guess what? That life is available to us, we only need to live according to it and keep our mind on Christ and do all for God's glory!
At the end of this mini-section, where Paul is teach the Corinthians about the freedom of the Christian, he ends with a verse worth memorizing. "Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." I have found this verse very helpful. After a thorough discussion of eating or not eating meat sacrificed to idols, he ends with how we can handle any decision we make in life. Of course there are some decisions we make that are clearly black or white, but there are a lot of decisions we make that are in the gray area. We need avoid being so oversenstive about every action we take or we will be paralyzed. As long as it is clear we are not causing others to stumble, if we are trying to please God and bring glory we should do it joyfully!
The kingdom of God is not about eating or drinking, but about God's kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven. As we seek him first, and set our hearts to pleasing Him in all we do, the Holy Spirit will guide us. Generally our two fold test for what we do is first, does ut bring glory to God. Second, does it build up a fellow brother or sister in Christ. We use our freedom in Christ to shine God's light in thw world, not out of obligation, because we desire to see Him lifted up.
When you think about how you make decisions, how often do you ask the question, "Does this glorify God?" Consider asking that question, especially if the Holy Spirit prompts you to think twice about something you are about to do. But if your conscience is clean, live in freedom and joy. Christians should be some of the most joyful and fun loving people around. As someone once joked, "Sometimes Christians look like they were baptized in lemon juice!"
The person who reached out to me and got me involved back in the church a while back, had a contagious personality. There was something about him that was inviting, and I could see he had something that I was missing. He wasn't overly religious just fun to be around. I believe that is how God works through us, as we walk in step with Him each day. The key is the gift God has given us in the Holy Spirit. As we walk in reliance on the Holy Spirit, we will exude the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self control. Guess what? That life is available to us, we only need to live according to it and keep our mind on Christ and do all for God's glory!
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