To Encourage You

1 Corinthians 10:31 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

Today I was thinking about and praying over the simple, yet profound words from 1 Corinthians above.  As I meditated on these words, a question came to my mind that would transform my life if I asked it of myself continually.  That question is “Is this to the glory of God?”  In other words, “Is what I’m thinking right now to the glory of God?” “Is what I’m saying (or about to say) right now, to the glory of God?” “Is what I’m eating right now (or planning to eat) to the glory of God?” “Is what I’m doing right now (or planning to do) to the glory of God?” and “Is how I’m reacting right now to the glory of God?” Simple questions, but soul transforming, if I would just ask them, continually, of myself. 

It’s so easy to go through the day just doing stuff without giving much thought to it, almost as if we’re on autopilot.  Yet, the verse above tells us that each and every simple and mundane situation or task we face each day gives us a wonderful opportunity to glorify God – or not.  Intentional living to the glory of God: it’s what God has called us to, and what is surely possible, or He wouldn’t have called us to it. 

But why would we do this?  Of what benefit is it to me and to others in my life?  Much in every way.  The fact of the matter is that this is how God intended for us to live when He created us.  It’s what life is all about.  It’s all that matters, in the end, for only that which is done to the glory of God will last.  Everything else is “like the chaff that the wind drives away” (Psalm 1:4).  Everything else, when tested in the end by the fire of God, will be burned up like “wood, hay, and straw” (1 Corinthians 3:12).  It’s only those things that are done to the glory of God that will produce “fruit that will last” (John 15:16), which is exactly what Christ has appointed all those who have put their faith in Him to do. 

But beyond all that, because living to the glory of God was what we’ve been created to do, it is that kind of living that brings us the greatest joy.  The Bible talks about the fact that believers in Christ love Him although they’ve never seen Him (1 Peter 1:8).  The world can’t understand this, because the world lives by sight, not faith.  The thing that makes sense to the world is to “eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we might die” (1 Corinthians 15:32), and surely if God is not real and Christ has not been raised from the dead, that’s how we should live for who would live to the glory of a God that doesn’t exist?  But if Christ is indeed alive, if He indeed has been raised from the dead – which I most assuredly believe – then in our love for Him and obedience to Him we “rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory” (1 Peter 1:8). 

The glory of God and the joy of those who love Him are so inextricably linked that to do anything to the glory of God is to bring to the believer the very joy of the Lord. So, who wouldn’t want that? Who wouldn’t want to be filled with joy?  Well, if that’s what we want, a key question to ask ourselves, again, is “Is this to the glory of God?”  You see, if it is to God’s glory, i.e., whatever we’re thinking, doing, or saying, then the inevitable result is eternal blessing and inexpressible joy – and who in their right mind doesn’t want that?