In 1 Corinthians 10:31-33, Paul writes, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks, or the church of God—even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.”
Paul reminds us we are responsible for our actions and words toward God and others. It is a privilege that we get to do life with others in community, and with that comes the responsibility of showing love to our neighbors and not causing them to stumble in any way. Just because we have the freedom to do many things does not mean everything we could do glorifies Christ. We should be considerate with our actions and words and consider whether they are truly propelling us forward in our relationship with Christ.
We deny ourselves things that harm us or may harm others for a cause greater than immediate pleasure. We deny ourselves because of an eternal promise to be in relationship with Jesus Christ and to glorify our heavenly Father. It is the ultimate calling to live in a way that embodies our identity as children of God first, trusting that the rest of the details in our lives will fall into place exactly as needed.
Reflection:
- What key point from Paul’s writings sticks out to you? How have you grown in your understanding of Paul’s writings?
- What responsibilities do you have in your life that not only help others but also glorify Christ? For example, what are your responsibilities as a parent or grandparent?