“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
– 1 Corinthians 10:31
Main Thought: The apostle Paul reminds us here that we were created for the glory of God. Adam and Eve were created and put in the Garden of Eden to bring glory to God, but their rebellion against the single command of God that He gave them brought separation, not communion, into their relationship with God. However, as believers in Christ who have been brought into an eternal relationship with Him, it is more important than ever for others to see that every aspect of our lives is giving glory to God. Paul understood that these Corinthians in most ways, in their personal lives and the church, were not bringing glory to God. There was evident immorality that was present in the church (1 Cor. 5), there was great disunity (1 Cor. 3) and they had turned the observance of the Lord’s Supper into their own personal dinner, disgracing and separating themselves from others (1 Cor. 11). While we may look down on them in many ways for what was going on, we should at the same time look at our own lives and make sure we are glorifying God in all we do. We should glorify God in our homes as husbands by loving our wives as Christ loved the church (Eph. 5:25) and being Godly examples to our wives and children in our speech. Wives should be glorifying God before their children by training them in the Word of God, speaking graciously to them and nurturing them in love, and by being submissive to their husbands as the church is to Christ (Eph. 5:24). In our work, we are to glorify God by the diligence of our work, working not for men but for our Lord (Eph. 6:6-7). Even in our recreation, in those times that God gives us for relaxation and enjoyment, our speech and actions should give evidence that we are glorifying God for that time to refresh our bodies and minds. And then especially in the church, wherever God puts us, we should glorify God in our worship of Him and our service to other believers. We should never think the church exists to serve our purposes and our perceived needs, but realize in the church that we are to always count others more significant than ourselves in all humility (Phil. 2:3), having the mind of Christ in His service when He came to this earth to die upon the cross. Each of us needs to examine ourselves and see if we are glorifying God in our homes, our work, our recreation, and our churches. Are we living our lives for the purpose for which God created us, which is living a life that exalts and glorifies Him? May our prayer be daily as we rise up for whatever lies ahead of us in that day, that we will aim to glorify Him.
David Webber
David Webber is married to Mary with four children and four grandchildren, and serves as the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Longview, TX. He obtained a BS in History from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX, and pursued studies at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX. Throughout his ministry, he has been an invited preacher and educator in numerous churches and various Bible conferences. Surrendering to the gospel ministry’s calling in 1972 at the age of 16, he received preaching licensure from Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, in 1974. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1978, he was ordained in December of 1980 by Faith Baptist Church. Following this, he contributed his services to Faith Baptist in Longview and subsequently engaged with Grace Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he instructed Sunday School and delivered sermons as needed. In February of 1994, Faith Baptist invited him to lead as their pastor, a role he has faithfully held to the present day. David writes a blog for the church website and is a writer for The Art of Worship.
More from David Webber
2 Corinthians 8:9
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” – 2 Corinthians 8:9
Job 14:1-2
“Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble. He comes out like a flower and withers; he flees like a shadow and continues not.” – Job 14:1-2
1 Corinthians 1:30-31
“And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 1:30-31
Proverbs 28:13
“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” – Proverbs 28:13
Psalm 119:41-42
“Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise; then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me.” – Psalm 119:41-42
Psalm 86:9
“All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.” – Psalm 86:9 (ESV)
2 Corinthians 4:3-4
“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” – 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (ESV)