Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - WordAction - The Nazarene Publishing House [The Foundry Publishing House] in Kansas City, Missouri, United States - The Global Church of the Nazarene for Wednesday, 2 August 2017 - "Magnify the Magnificent!" by Fred Prince - 1 Corinthians 10:23-33

Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - WordAction - The Nazarene Publishing House [The Foundry Publishing House] in Kansas City, Missouri, United States - The Global Church of the Nazarene for Wednesday, 2 August 2017 - "Magnify the Magnificent!" by Fred Prince - 1 Corinthians 10:23-33
1 Corinthians 10:23 “Everything is permitted,” you say? Maybe, but not everything is helpful. “Everything is permitted?” Maybe, but not everything is edifying. 24 No one should be looking out for his own interests, but for those of his fellow. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, 26 for the earth and everything in it belong to the Lord.[1 Corinthians 10:26 Psalm 24:1, 50:12, 89:12(11)] 27 If some unbeliever invites you to a meal, and you want to go, eat whatever is put in front of you without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This meat was offered as a sacrifice,” then don’t eat it, out of consideration for the person who pointed it out and also for conscience’s sake — 29 however, I don’t mean your conscience but that of the other person. You say, “Why should my freedom be determined by someone else’s conscience? 30 If I participate with thankfulness, why am I criticized over something for which I myself bless God?” 31 Well, whatever you do, whether it’s eating or drinking or anything else, do it all so as to bring glory to God. 32 Do not be an obstacle to anyone — not to Jews, not to Gentiles, and not to God’s Messianic Community. 33 Just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not looking out for my own interests but for those of the many, so that they may be saved;

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The emphasis in 1 Corinthians 10:31 is not on what we do or don’t do. The “whatever you do” makes that very clear. The emphasis is on why we do what we do. And Paul says we are to do it all for the glory of God.
The problem is over the years those words have fallen into the category of “churchese”–words we say around the church, but they have lost their meaning and power. To do something for the glory of God should be a powerful motivator. It simply means to magnify who God is so it’s easier for others to see God and all of His magnificence. Much the way a magnifying glass makes it easier to see the words. Paul is saying that our actions, our responses to difficulties, and to challenging people should make it easier for people to see God and what He is really like. They should be able to see His grace, His holiness, and His love through our actions.
Instead of thinking about us, people would think of Jesus and what He’s doing in us. That magnifies Him; that brings glory to Him.
Hymn for Today:

"I Want to be Like Jesus" by Thomas O. Chisholm

1. I have one deep, supreme desire -

That I may be like Jesus.

To this I fervently aspire -

That I may be like Jesus.

I want my heart His throne to be,

So that a watching world may see

His likeness shining forth in me.

I want to be like Jesus.

2. He spent His life in doing good;

I want to be like Jesus.

In lowly paths of service trod;

I want to be like Jesus.

He sympathized with hearts distressed,

He spoke the words that cheered and blessed,

He welcomed sinners to His breast,

I want to be like Jesus.

3. A holy, harmless life He led;

I want to be like Jesus.

The Father’s will - His drink and bread;

I want to be like Jesus.

And when at last He comes to die,

“Forgive them, Father,” hear Him cry

For those who taunt and crucify.

I want to be like Jesus.

4. Oh, perfect life of Christ, my Lord!

I want to be like Jesus.

My recompense and my reward -

That I may be like Jesus.

His Spirit fill my hung’ring soul,

His power all my life control.

My deepest prayer, my highest goal -

That I may be like Jesus.

Thought for Today:

But thanks be to God, who in the Messiah constantly leads us in a triumphal procession and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of what it means to know him![2 Corinthians 2:14].

Please pray:For the development of Christian leaders in Senegal.
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