All Things To the Glory of God
Scripture reference: 1 Corinthians 10:31
As the apostle Paul was teaching the young church how to live the Christian life, he emphasized that worship was not a ritualistic act performed in a certain place at a certain time, but was a matter of performing all the acts of normal life in a manner which gives praise, thanks, and glory to God. This is a reflection and extension of what Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at the well when he told her, "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and truth." He was indicating to the woman (and us) that, even though man has been worshiping God through rituals, such as sacrifices, the day was at hand when the proper form of worship would be a state of mind which is continuously conscience of giving glory to God. Not just at a special time and place, but always in every aspect of daily life.
Paul gives specific examples of living life to the glory of God throughout his epistles. Whether in speech or work (Colossians 3:17), eating or drinking (1 Corinthians 10:31), as employee or boss (Ephesians 6:5-9), we are to do everything "as unto Christ" (Ephesians 6:5) to the glory of God. Because God has already told man through Isaiah that he is not interested in the blood of sacrifices, or the smell of incense and burnt offerings, and the observing of seasons and feasts. (Isaiah 1:11-14) What God desires from man is a regular lifestyle that honors him. It is how we treat one another, orphans and widows, strangers and travelers, those who are sick or in prison that matters to God. Not rituals and rules.
The Bible instructs us that sin is not just stealing or lying or coveting or committing adultery, it is refusing to acknowledge that God is the creator and author of all things. Sin is a refusal to give God thanks and praise for everything that is. Sin is the absence of giving God the glory He is due in everything we do. This is done by putting our attention "on things above, not on things on the earth." (Colossians 3:2) That means that we should think about how what we are doing, no matter what it is, will serve and please God, displaying his greatness and glory, rather than focusing on how it will benefit us. If our focus is on God in all we do, then we will be giving Him the kind of service and worship He desires. He will be pleased, and we will be blessed.
As we perform the tasks of daily life, we should remember Paul's admonition that "whatever is not faith is sin." (Romans 14:23) What Paul is telling us is that we should not consider an act, a way of doing something, or something we refrain from doing which is based on doctrines or teaching of man to be an act of worship and glorifying God. Simply saying, "I do this because my religion says it is what I am supposed to do," does not qualify as an act of faith; and therefore it does not qualify as living to the glory of God. Our actions and deeds must be founded in true faith in Christ Jesus and his teachings if they are to glorify God. Here again we see the need to put our attention "on things above, not on things on the earth." Our motivation needs to come to us from God through Jesus via the Holy Spirit if our daily life is to be a reflection of the power, grace, and glory of God. It is His spirit that must be the motivating and guiding force in our lives, not the desires, teachings, and objectives of man.
Living ordinary daily life with all its cares and difficulties in a way that honors God in all things is not really a difficult task if we remember just how powerful the grace of God and the love of Jesus are. As long as we have that power which comes to us through faith, we can accomplish anything. Remember the words Jesus spoke to his disciples, "with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26) As long as we go through our normal day with our thoughts focused on God rather than on the things of this world, His Holy Spirit will be with us. He will lead us in His ways, the our Father which art in heaven me be honored and glorified in all that we do.
May the grace of God be with you, guide you in all that you do, and give you His peace. Amen.
As the apostle Paul was teaching the young church how to live the Christian life, he emphasized that worship was not a ritualistic act performed in a certain place at a certain time, but was a matter of performing all the acts of normal life in a manner which gives praise, thanks, and glory to God. This is a reflection and extension of what Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at the well when he told her, "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and truth." He was indicating to the woman (and us) that, even though man has been worshiping God through rituals, such as sacrifices, the day was at hand when the proper form of worship would be a state of mind which is continuously conscience of giving glory to God. Not just at a special time and place, but always in every aspect of daily life.
Paul gives specific examples of living life to the glory of God throughout his epistles. Whether in speech or work (Colossians 3:17), eating or drinking (1 Corinthians 10:31), as employee or boss (Ephesians 6:5-9), we are to do everything "as unto Christ" (Ephesians 6:5) to the glory of God. Because God has already told man through Isaiah that he is not interested in the blood of sacrifices, or the smell of incense and burnt offerings, and the observing of seasons and feasts. (Isaiah 1:11-14) What God desires from man is a regular lifestyle that honors him. It is how we treat one another, orphans and widows, strangers and travelers, those who are sick or in prison that matters to God. Not rituals and rules.
The Bible instructs us that sin is not just stealing or lying or coveting or committing adultery, it is refusing to acknowledge that God is the creator and author of all things. Sin is a refusal to give God thanks and praise for everything that is. Sin is the absence of giving God the glory He is due in everything we do. This is done by putting our attention "on things above, not on things on the earth." (Colossians 3:2) That means that we should think about how what we are doing, no matter what it is, will serve and please God, displaying his greatness and glory, rather than focusing on how it will benefit us. If our focus is on God in all we do, then we will be giving Him the kind of service and worship He desires. He will be pleased, and we will be blessed.
As we perform the tasks of daily life, we should remember Paul's admonition that "whatever is not faith is sin." (Romans 14:23) What Paul is telling us is that we should not consider an act, a way of doing something, or something we refrain from doing which is based on doctrines or teaching of man to be an act of worship and glorifying God. Simply saying, "I do this because my religion says it is what I am supposed to do," does not qualify as an act of faith; and therefore it does not qualify as living to the glory of God. Our actions and deeds must be founded in true faith in Christ Jesus and his teachings if they are to glorify God. Here again we see the need to put our attention "on things above, not on things on the earth." Our motivation needs to come to us from God through Jesus via the Holy Spirit if our daily life is to be a reflection of the power, grace, and glory of God. It is His spirit that must be the motivating and guiding force in our lives, not the desires, teachings, and objectives of man.
Living ordinary daily life with all its cares and difficulties in a way that honors God in all things is not really a difficult task if we remember just how powerful the grace of God and the love of Jesus are. As long as we have that power which comes to us through faith, we can accomplish anything. Remember the words Jesus spoke to his disciples, "with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26) As long as we go through our normal day with our thoughts focused on God rather than on the things of this world, His Holy Spirit will be with us. He will lead us in His ways, the our Father which art in heaven me be honored and glorified in all that we do.
May the grace of God be with you, guide you in all that you do, and give you His peace. Amen.
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