Bring Glory to God
1 Corinthians 10:31–11:1 (ESV): 31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. 11 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
The Apostle Paul instructs the Corinthian church on how to navigate a difficult time in the early church. We are called to be imitators of Paul and Christ in love. Following Christ’s lead, Paul directs us to be active in seeking the best for others. Paul was firm in his faith, but in his firmness, he did not produce offensive speech or conduct in personal interactions with those who disagreed or persecuted him.
Three Key Ways
Christian, we bring glory to God when we seek the best for others.
You bring glory to God when you imitate Him. Who can complain about the beautiful behavior of Jesus in you.
The glory to God shines openly to everyone’s benefit when we don’t act offensively in our behavior.
Salvation to Man
Bring salvation to man by not getting in the way of his transformational gospel. We are not the story. We should not be a hindrance, like the Pharisees in the time of Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry. We should always display Christ and not display ourselves, or our bad behavior.
For sure, this is a hard skill to master. Everyone wants to be responsible and relevant. In the world, harsh, abrupt, and abrasive behavior creeps all around us and seems to get rewarded by those in authority. Being respectful and meek is not immediately rewarded or respected. The fear of loss and real suffering presses into our daily lives far too easily. Sin knows our weakness and presses the advantage. Paul guides the church to remember his example. We can have victory in Christ.
God provides us with strength by his Spirit to faithfully imitate him. Often, sin sidetracks us, and we should be quick to repent when we wrong our neighbor. Take hold of God’s promises of lovingkindness and restoration. It is freeing to make amends and trust Christ afresh that he will indeed provide, protect, and preserve us until the day he calls us home.
May God bless you in your mission to imitate Him in love.
Reference:
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
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