Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1 (GW)

31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything to the glory of God. 32 Don’t cause others to stumble, whether they are Jewish, Greek, or members of God’s church. 33 I try to please everyone in every way. I don’t think about what would be good for me but about what would be good for many people so that they might be saved.

1 And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

Living the Christian life has always meant to me that I should live in a way that is pleasing to God. When I read about Paul’s instructions to the Corinthians, this gains a whole new dimension in living my life in tuned with God’s intentions. For Paul taught that not only should we live to please God, but that we should not boast in our liberties, if it results in a negative impact on our brother or sister. For example, if we are comfortable that God truly approves of us eating a certain food then it is ok for us to eat it. However, if we are eating with a friend who happens to believe that a certain food is unclean or not in accordance with what God teaches, then it would be wrong for us to eat that food in their presence and smear our faith, or freedoms before them, for it would weaken our witness to them. Let’s suppose for a moment that God sent us to that friend to witness to them or correct them about a certain sin in their lives. With a weakened witness, our correction or witness would be of no effect to them. Let us therefore respect each other’s faith or beliefs, if in the long term it means reaching that person for the Lord or growing them in their faith. Let’s remember, it’s all about God, and not about us. When we do things for God’s glory, He will point us to neutral ground with that neighbor where we might help grow them in their faith, instead of controversial ground that will result in arguments and separation. As we practice this, I believe that our actions would speak to other Christians in saying, “Now imitate me, as I imitate Christ”.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father, I believe that this is presented in Your Word to show me how challenging this teaching really is without Your power and Your grace. For this may even appear that I am giving in to a belief that I am convinced Your sacrifice has already satisfied for me. Please help me to always remember that anything that I do for Your glory must be pleasing to You, and it may not always please me personally. As I seek Your face and Your direction in drawing folk to You, I pray that I could learn to place aside my selfish desires and instead look to always please You, and always seek to draw others unto You, even if it means sacrificing some of my personal ideals, in order to let Your light shine through in a situation or to an individual. May I never be a stumbling block to anyone and may I walk so closely with You that others would be safe in imitating my actions.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
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