"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Day 332 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 1:1–17; Psalm 120; 1 Cor. 10:23–11:16)
DO ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. (1 Corinthians 10:31-33 ESV)
In this section, Paul is teaching us to put others first by not do anything that might offend them. The example from Paul’s day was eating meat offered to idols which could confuse a weak Christian and lead them astray.
While we cannot control whether or not someone takes offense at something we may say of do, we should not do or say anything that would intentionally lead someone away from Jesus. Instead, “whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense...” Paul talks about using his Christian freedom to glorify God and help others so “that they may be saved.”
Our motivation is found in Jesus' sacrifice for us. Because died and rose for the salvation of sinners like you and me, we now get to live for Him and to the glory of God.
14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15 ESV)
In other words, we get to share the love of Jesus with others.
Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of heav'n, to earth come down!
Fix in us Thy humble dwelling,
All Thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
Pure, unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation;
Enter ev'ry trembling heart!
(Love Divine, All Love Excelling, Lutheran Service Book #700 stanzas 1 and 4)
We pray:
Finish then Thy new creation,
Pure and spotless let us be;
Let us see Thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee,
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heav'n we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise! Amen.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), undergirds this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
Then scroll down to 2022 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
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