Seeking the Spiritual Benefit of Others
Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 10:23 - 11:1 (NASB)
23 All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor. 25 Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for the earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains. 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This is meat sacrificed to idols,” do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience’ sake; 29 I mean not your own conscience, but the other man’s; for why is my freedom judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks?
31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.
1 Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.
SUMMARY
Paul confirms that as believers, we can indeed do anything under God’s grace and freedom through Jesus Christ. However, as saints, we should let our actions edify and benefit the faith of those around us. He gives examples of situations that the believer may have a clear conscience as a mature believer, but perhaps it would be questionable to the non-believer or stumble them in their faith. As believers, our goal in anything and everything we do, is to glorify God. We can practically do this by not offending anyone as much as possible, and being mindful of what’s best for those around us to be saved. Paul instructs the Corinthians to imitate him because he imitates Christ.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
It’s amazing the freedoms and grace we have as believers, knowing that my salvation and righteousness does not depend on what I do or don’t do to earn a right standing with God. There is no law-keeping that restricts me, nor am I able to earn my righteousness with anything I do. So there is so much freedom, relief and grace for the believer of Jesus Christ. Even so, in order to glorify God and help bring others to faith, we must know when to limit ourselves in our freedom. The more I know of God’s grace, the more His love transforms me to care and want to bring others to Christ when I see them with His vision, not my own.
He enables me to care for my family, not just physically, but see spiritually, that they need Christ more than anything. My two children are still very young, very much building their knowledge and faith, and thankfully I still have a lot of influence in their lives to help them establish edifying habits for their faith. Even though I’m free from religious rituals or keeping strict habits when I manage my family’s time, I know prioritizing God in our time is going to bless us and grow us so much together.
APPLICATION
Together as a family, I want to keep the Sabbath Day holy and reserved, for refreshing in the Lord and worshiping Him as a family. Up to now, as the one who manages our family schedule and kid’s schedule, I did not intentionally prioritize family worship on Sundays. If there was a fun plan or activity, we would prioritize that and forgo family worship. If I begin to urge my family to prioritize worshiping together on Sundays, even if it’s not a long time, a lot of blessings can come from consistently worshiping together on Sundays, talking about God and sharing our prayer requests with each other. On the other hand, if my attitude is casual towards family worship, and that we will do it if there’s nothing else scheduled, I’m afraid it would make my two young children question why we get excited for having fun activities but only do family worship when we have no other plans on Sundays.
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the freedom and fullness of life I have through Jesus Christ. Thank you that I’m not bound by any laws to achieve my own righteousness, rather it’s the knowledge of your perfect love that leads me in a right path. God, awaken me to your instructions, and let my life and my actions glorify you. Help those around me in their faith, and use me in any ways to help them and bless them. I am yours because of the amazing grace you poured out to me on the cross. May my life and actions be worthy, and also edifying to others, as a result of your grace.
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