Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Nov/71

Contributor - Louis R. Harvey

Title - For The Glory Of God

Topic - Witnessing

'Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God' - I Cor. 10 : 31

Many times in these last few days you have been faced with the decision "Should I, as a Christian, do this or not?" We face such questions every day of our lives. The questions are easy but it is the answer that is always so difficult. The believer never has a problem where the Word of God has already taken a stand. The Ten Commandments are very clear as to major principles of right and wrong for daily living. The Sermon on the Mount is very clear in expounding the positive side of the commandments. The Summary of the Law as Jesus gave it is also on the positive side of daily living, but even with all this help, the Christian is sometimes still faced with a problem of knowing whether or not certain actions are right or wrong for him as a Christian to do.

This was a problem in the Corinthian Church. Christians there had asked the Apostle Paul to give some instructions in their problem of eating meat offered to idols. In I Corinthians 10 the Apostle, guided by the Holy Spirit, gives answer to the question. William Barclay summarized the answer quite well by writing, "So once again, out of an old and remote situation there emerges a great truth. There are many things that a man may do with perfect safety as far as he himself is concerned; but if that thing is going to be a stumbling block to someone else, he must not do it. There is nothing more real than Christian freedom; but Christian freedom must be used to help others and not to shock or hurt them. A man has a duty to himself but he has a greater duty to others." This is something that every Christian must take very seriously to his heart."

Too many in the Church today are saying by their example of life, "I am first and you are second", or "I love you, my neighbor, but you come first after me". This attitude which is shown so much these days is exactly the opposite of the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and opposite to all of the written Word of God. Jesus Christ very clearly says, "Let your light so shine before men that they will see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" - Matt. 5: 16.

Do your actions and attitudes as a Christian in this world always give glory to God? This is God's will for you. Your every word, your every action, your every motivation as a Christian is to be such that it will glorify and point to the grace, love, and power of your God in your life. Some are so quick to say, "I could never be that way completely!" That is true, in so far as doing it by yourself is concerned, but with the Holy Spirit of God dwelling within and controlling your life you can. This is the very reason that Jesus Christ promises that each believer will be "endued with power from on high" so that he can live for the glory of God and not for himself. The Apostle Paul made this very plain in his tremendous testimony when he said, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me" - Galatians 2: 20.

Notice how clear the principle is by which God's Word directs us in our Christian freedom. The principle is, do not be an offense or a stumbling block to someone else. Therefore, my Christian liberty and freedom ends whenever and wherever my actions become a blockade or stumbling block to another person so that he cannot see the Lord Jesus Christ in me. Three areas of human relationships are mentioned. The Corinthian Church had to be an example to the Jew, as the enemy, to the Greek, as the indifferent worldly person, and to his fellow church member. Now, then, do those people who are unkind and hateful to you still see by your conduct and speech that you first and last belong to Jesus Christ? Or again, as you rub shoulders with the indifferent people of the world, do they notice that your motivation to do things is not for personal gain alone but for the glory of God and the furtherance of His Kingdom?

Third, the Christian also has a very strong duty to his fellow church member. It is the plain fact of life that somebody watches every one of us. Someone takes his cue for what he will do because of what we do as those who call themselves Christian. There is only one way for you to live and that is so your life will glorify your God. Let your life be lived so as not to seek your own advantage but the advantage of your fellow man and neighbor that he too will know the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ.

If you will put this principle, "do all for the glory of God" that many may be saved, first in your life, it will quickly eliminate a number of otherwise different decisions as to what to do and what is right.

ONLY ONE LIFE, 'TWILL SOON BE PASSED

ONLY WHAT'S DONE FOR CHRIST WILL LAST.

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