Part 4 of 11: The Fruits/ Proofs of Authentic/ True Christianity
Of all the Fruits/Proofs, the devotion to God’s glory is probably
the hardest to be consistent about. Why? Because it is so easy to get caught up in
ourselves, our ways, and making our own plans for life.
1 Corinthians 10:30-33
30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of
that for which I give thanks?
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.
The background of this passage is about a believer being invited
over to a home for dinner. If the food
has been offered to an idol and no one brings up that point mature believers will
have no problem eating it because they know that the idol is nonsense. But the moment a weaker or new believer
brings up that point and it is apparent that this will cause a stumbling block
the stronger or more mature Christian is to refrain from eating the meat out of
consideration for their weaker brother or sister.
This important passage shows us that we are exhorted in ALL of our
activities to bring glory to God. I have
noticed a scary philosophy of living among Christians in the current generations. That is a promotion of Antinomianism or lawless
living. In the past, say prior to the
1960s, in America, Legalism was rampant but now the pendulum has swung to the
other extreme of lawlessness. We need a return
to the biblical middle! Yes, we very
much have freedom in Christ but we see that “Paul sets a limit to Christian
freedom. Christian freedom isn’t
permission to do whatever we like. Christian
freedom is the freedom to do what God wants, and to put the needs and feelings
of others before our own. This is what
Paul tries to do — and in so doing, he follows the way of Jesus.”[1] When we do what God wants us to do and put
others above ourselves, we our devoting ourselves to God’s glory! Furthermore, when we cause a weaker brother
to stumble or act like the fallen world around us, we in essence are
dishonoring the Lord and disgracing the Church.
If we as Christians are not at some level “set apart” (See Rom. 12:1-2; 1
Co. 5:9-12; Heb 12:1-2, 14; and 1 John 3:1-10) from the world, than why would
the fallen world care to listen to us?
Are we not hypocrites, if we preach something that we do not live?
In closing here are three excellent questions to ask before we do anything
and everything, like posting on Facebook, tweeting, planning our weekends, at
work or school, and so forth: [2] This is something
that I am right there with you all working on in my own life!
• Can I thank the Lord in it? (Verse 30)
• Will God be glorified through it? (Verse
31)
• Will someone be tripped up by it? (Verse 32)
Psalm 115:1
Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory,
for the
sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!
For additional passages see Ps. 105:3; Is. 43:7; 48:10ff; and Jer.
9:23-24
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