Living for God's Glory

So yes I am officially gone and into my first few days at The Master's College and I couldn't be more blessed. God has shown Himself faithful once again and I am overjoyed to see Him work and look forward to the upcoming year.

Yesterday we had the privilege of attending Grace Community Church and during the college service I was compelled to action and to write this as I heard Rick Holland speak on what I have to say is on of my passions and I guarantee each Christian's as well...the glory of God!

Rick took us to 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1
23"Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive. 24Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.

25Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, 26for, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it."[a]

27If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. 28But if anyone says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience' sake[b]— 29the other man's conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judged by another's conscience? 30If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?

31So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33even 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.

In this passage of scripture the disciple is taught to observe what Rick laid out as three considerations prior to ANY action or deed we do; these being, edification, exaltation and lastly evangelism. As Christians we so often say that we are motivated and passionate about living for God's glory or that we desire to glorify Him, but so often our actions do not match our words...our lives don't always mirror this. In fact many times, it is the hypocritical lifestyles we lead that can stumble our brothers and sisters and an unbeliever. So ask yourself the following the next time you test yourself:

EDIFICATION (10:23-30)
WILL MY ACTIONS EDIFY OTHERS?
What does edify mean, you might ask. Does everything you do build up others or is it tearing up others VIEW OF GOD? Are you following God's thread of discipleship? You must, MUST, MUST look out for others...it is your job as a faithful disciple of the Lord.

EXALTATION (10:31)
WILL MY ACTIONS EXALT GOD?
Whatever you do, do all to God! You must deliberately exalt HIM not live by default. What is your default? To live for yourself, to please your flesh to glory in YOU. Live differently then the world and exalt HIM alone.

EVANGELISM (10:32-11:1)
WILL MY ACTIONS EVANGELIZE UNBELIEVERS?
This calls us to live selflessly in which we don't cause others who are less mature in the Lord to stumble, in which we set an example for the believer and non-believer alike and in which we are a living breathing example of the gospel....of JESUS CHRIST!

So the next time you desire to glorify HIM or you say you are...evaluate yourself and allow God show you and teach you how to honor and glory in Him alone!!!