Whatever You Do

“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory. Give no offense to the Jews or the Greeks or the church of God, just as I also try to please all people in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” (1 Corinthians 10:31-33 CSB)

Principles are often generalizations derived from specific situations. The principle stated above is the result of Paul’s discussion about eating food offered to idols and how that relates to the idea of Christian freedom.

In those days, meat that had been offered to a pagan idol was then cooked and sold in the market. Discussions arose in the church as to whether they should eat meat sold in the public market that had been offered to idols, so they wrote to Paul with their question. Paul’s response was that an idol is nothing in reality, so it is irrelevant whether meat was offered to it or not. However, because some found it offensive, he suggested that they not eat this meat. The objection, however, was that this was an infringement on their freedom as Christians.

From all this, Paul saw a huge principle, stated in verse 24: “No one should seek his own good, but the good of the other person.” And at the end of the discussion he spelled out the principle clearly: Avoid any activity that might hinder someone from being saved, so that God may be glorified. The salvation of a lost soul should be a higher priority to us than our freedom.

This is simply an implementation of the Great Commandment Jesus taught – love the Lord your God with all that is in you, and love your neighbor as yourself. Christians are indeed free in Christ, but what that means is that we are also free to limit ourselves from engaging in activities that might keep someone from coming to faith in Jesus. Freedom necessitates responsibility, and responsibility emerges from love.

Father, Help us today to give priority to loving You and loving one another, to seek the good of one another before seeking our own good. Amen.