Saturday Reflection – 23 October 2021
Saturday Reflection – 23 October 2021
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
One of the mistakes that we make as Christians, is to limit our Christian living to the confines of church or whenever we are engaged in Church activities, or on Sundays whenever we gather for worship. We know our responsibility to live lives that glorify God, but we may begin to categorize certain aspects of our daily living as not having anything to do with our Christian life. On the other hand, we may become judgemental and overly concerned with ourselves that we do not consider each other, we may become just like the saying “so heavenly minded that we are not of any earthly use.” And because of this, there is division and strife, confusion in our Christian living and mission.
Here, the Apostle Paul in addressing the church, reminds them of the events in Israel’s history, as a lesson in trusting, obeying, and following the Lord our God. We are reminded by this same historical lesson, that God will not facilitate our turning to idols, or sharing with them, for God desires our all in worship. With that in mind, Paul turns to one of the topics that can be said to be one of the major sources of division. That when their Jewish customs and traditions, clash with the Gentile and now overall Christian customs and traditions, what is the way to be followed? His answer though simple yet is profound, and is do all for God’s glory!
This consideration, I believe is founded in Jesus’ answer to the question posed to him in St. Matthew 22:36-40 saying: “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” And this, I believe is the essence of Paul’s instruction in 1 Corinthians 10:22-33. In our love of God, we seek to put him first in our lives, to honour God and ensure that in and through our whole lives, God will be glorified. In our love for our neighbours as ourselves, we seek the other’s advantage, and not our own. We do not raise objections on conscience, unless these activities taint or dishonour our God, who is the priority in our lives. We do whatever we can, not to distance or disgrace others, for the sake of piety, but in love that others are led to cross of Calvary.
We have received this freedom in Christ, and that is why the Apostle Paul began the thought, by warning the church, using Israel as an example, that we would not misuse or abuse this freedom, for indeed that will come with consequences. But our religion does not mean that we may be discourteous to others, only thinking about what is lawful and not aiming to edify. This freedom that we have been given, is not for us to hurt others, not for our reproach, but we must at all times, and in all we do, seek to glorify God. Our aim must always be God be honoured, glorified, and lifted high.
In our walk and talk, wherever we are, with whomever we engage, the result must honour and glorify God. And we may wonder, how is it that we will glorify God in these times, for there are times when it seems like the engagement has nothing to do with church or evangelism? But our light must always shine, that wherever we are, darkness is dispelled, by the conversations we have, the actions and activities that we partake in. For sometimes the conversations and activities that we allow to happen around us, surely dishonour, and displease God. Or sometimes the people around us, have no idea that we are even Christians, unless they see us in a church setting. Other times, we become hypercritical that we have hardened ourselves, making it extremely difficult to extend the gospel of Christ. We should not indulge in sin, as Paul makes it very clear, but we must always be open, caring and loving, providing the perfect opportunity for the Holy Spirit to flow through us to those around us.
Until next week, one of the hardest considerations that we must make, is how to relate with others on a daily basis. We are called to be in the world, and not of the world, and yet in that world, we are called to make disciples of all nations. The thought may be mind-boggling, but the answer is in verses 31-33 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, so that they may be saved.” Amen.
Dominic J. Blair