1 Corinthians 10:31,33

Life is forever throwing up questions. Just because we have decided to follow Christ, it doesn’t mean that everything is straightforward. We often have very difficult decisions to make, and the answer isn’t immediately obvious. That was clearly the case for Paul who, in both this chapter and chapter 8, was struggling with the very awkward issue of food that had been offered to idols. In one way it wasn’t an issue at all because idols are false gods. But for some people their conscience made them uneasy about eating something that had been offered to an idol.

Different Christians may act in different ways, but what matters is that they act out of a desire to please the Lord, and to be helpful to other people. Paul was so determined to help other people to find Jesus as their Lord, that he didn’t want anything to get in the way.

The issues we face today are completely different from Paul’s time, but the same principles hold good. When we decide how to use our money, leisure time and homes, we will all come up with different approaches. Our society would tell us that we can do what we like with them. But Paul challenges us to make sure our decisions are shaped by a determination to give glory to God. It isn’t good enough merely to do those things that seem good to us. We need to think through our decisions to ensure that we are doing the best for others, with the hope that through our actions they may also find new life in Christ.

Question

In what way does this teaching specifically challenge and help decisions that you are making at the moment?

Prayer

Lord God, help me to give glory to you in all that I do. Amen