January 16th 2022
For I Am Not Seeking My Own Good But The Good Of Many, So That They May Be Saved.
1 Corinthians 10:31-33 (NIV)
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all 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 everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
Paul was trying to promote a Christian ethic when he wrote these verses for the church in Corinth and for us who claim to be Christians today in this cursed world. It says, ” Do not cause anyone to stumble,” and Paul is in this case directing this comment to people who are attending this church. Of course, it is still not meant to only apply to these church members, but also it should apply to all of God’s people. Yet today we need to try and apply this message to everyone we encounter. It has been said, “you may be the only Jesus that someone may come into contact within this world today!” Remember, as followers of Jesus Christ we are expected to be trying to become more Christ-like every day!
Paul also reminds all professing Christians to hold others as being more important than themselves, which is a trait that Jesus promoted, when He walked this earth as the Son of Man. As Paul wrote his intention, “For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.” We also need to try to think in this Christ-like way, as we encounter people who may only be thinking only of themselves, and they may even express hatred for you and what Jesus has taught you to believe.
For the people reading this today who reside in the USA this type of thinking is not being projected, as we are constantly taught to be self-centered and to dwell on self-esteem and to consider yourself as better than others. It is common practice for people who take pictures to do a lot of selfies to show association with highly regarded people or celebrates. In case this makes you wonder, I am not a camera buff, and rarely take pictures, although my phone allows to do so with ease. Therefore, I am not a good judge of why this practice is so popular. Just think about it, WWJD if He was walking around on this earth today with a smart phone in His possession.
Now back to more real-life issues. Most of us who have aged to the point of waking up breathing means we are starting a new day in this cursed world. Most of us, my friends, love this idea and cling to this lifetime. James, Jesus earthly half-brother wrote about how fleeting this life really is. Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. (James 4:13-14). Jesus created a perfect world and sin came into it and removed the perfection, but still Jesus left us a world we can cling to and feel good about being here!
Jesus told His disciples how difficult it is for them, and us to believe that Jesus Christ is the only path or Way to attaining salvation. Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:13-14). Most of the people in this world today, do not desire to become followers of Jesus Christ, thus they are choosing the wide path that we are told will lead them eventually to hell. This is a difficult teaching from Jesus, but it should push us to being willing to tell someone who is on that wide path about Jesus. Have you told anyone lately? Yes, it is difficult because you may be rejected and even shunned!
In this era of turmoil in the USA over many key issues, let us have Paul guide us through some of the reasons why we should try to understand our politicians and legislators. Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. (Romans 13:1). God allowed the people to vote in this person. Some judges are appointed, but they are usually appointed by elected persons.
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. (Romans 13:2-5).
We could certainly have some disagreement with the statement “For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong.” For the most part in the USA, we could agree with this statement. If God is truly in control of this world, then we can believe, “For he is God’s servant to do you good.” Of course, we must factor into this equation that Satan and his demons are present in this cursed world. Non-believers are not shielded from Satan’s influence as believers are!
Since we are now in the tax season let us read what Paul has written about this subject. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. (Romans 13:6-7). The most important emphasis in this advice for Christians should be trying to show respect for all officials even if they are in the other political party!
Jesus had a message for us too about paying taxes. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" "Caesar’s," they replied. Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s." When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away. (Matthew 22:17-22).
Paul sums it up with love of our fellow human being, instead of money. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow-man has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfilment of the law. (Romans 13:8-10). Abide by the law and try to love everyone!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
1 Corinthians 10:31-33 (NIV)
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all 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 everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
Paul was trying to promote a Christian ethic when he wrote these verses for the church in Corinth and for us who claim to be Christians today in this cursed world. It says, ” Do not cause anyone to stumble,” and Paul is in this case directing this comment to people who are attending this church. Of course, it is still not meant to only apply to these church members, but also it should apply to all of God’s people. Yet today we need to try and apply this message to everyone we encounter. It has been said, “you may be the only Jesus that someone may come into contact within this world today!” Remember, as followers of Jesus Christ we are expected to be trying to become more Christ-like every day!
Paul also reminds all professing Christians to hold others as being more important than themselves, which is a trait that Jesus promoted, when He walked this earth as the Son of Man. As Paul wrote his intention, “For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.” We also need to try to think in this Christ-like way, as we encounter people who may only be thinking only of themselves, and they may even express hatred for you and what Jesus has taught you to believe.
For the people reading this today who reside in the USA this type of thinking is not being projected, as we are constantly taught to be self-centered and to dwell on self-esteem and to consider yourself as better than others. It is common practice for people who take pictures to do a lot of selfies to show association with highly regarded people or celebrates. In case this makes you wonder, I am not a camera buff, and rarely take pictures, although my phone allows to do so with ease. Therefore, I am not a good judge of why this practice is so popular. Just think about it, WWJD if He was walking around on this earth today with a smart phone in His possession.
Now back to more real-life issues. Most of us who have aged to the point of waking up breathing means we are starting a new day in this cursed world. Most of us, my friends, love this idea and cling to this lifetime. James, Jesus earthly half-brother wrote about how fleeting this life really is. Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. (James 4:13-14). Jesus created a perfect world and sin came into it and removed the perfection, but still Jesus left us a world we can cling to and feel good about being here!
Jesus told His disciples how difficult it is for them, and us to believe that Jesus Christ is the only path or Way to attaining salvation. Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:13-14). Most of the people in this world today, do not desire to become followers of Jesus Christ, thus they are choosing the wide path that we are told will lead them eventually to hell. This is a difficult teaching from Jesus, but it should push us to being willing to tell someone who is on that wide path about Jesus. Have you told anyone lately? Yes, it is difficult because you may be rejected and even shunned!
In this era of turmoil in the USA over many key issues, let us have Paul guide us through some of the reasons why we should try to understand our politicians and legislators. Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. (Romans 13:1). God allowed the people to vote in this person. Some judges are appointed, but they are usually appointed by elected persons.
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. (Romans 13:2-5).
We could certainly have some disagreement with the statement “For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong.” For the most part in the USA, we could agree with this statement. If God is truly in control of this world, then we can believe, “For he is God’s servant to do you good.” Of course, we must factor into this equation that Satan and his demons are present in this cursed world. Non-believers are not shielded from Satan’s influence as believers are!
Since we are now in the tax season let us read what Paul has written about this subject. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. (Romans 13:6-7). The most important emphasis in this advice for Christians should be trying to show respect for all officials even if they are in the other political party!
Jesus had a message for us too about paying taxes. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" "Caesar’s," they replied. Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s." When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away. (Matthew 22:17-22).
Paul sums it up with love of our fellow human being, instead of money. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow-man has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfilment of the law. (Romans 13:8-10). Abide by the law and try to love everyone!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
|
|
|