ESOCS Devotional 27 September 2024 – The Greatest Responsibility We Have as Christians
MEMORY VERSE: “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” (1 Corinthians 10:23 KJV)
TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 10:14-33
Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.
18 Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? 19 What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons. 22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?
23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.
25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”
27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 29 “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks?
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the 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 many, that they may be saved.
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Life changes when we receive Jesus as our Savior. When we surrender our lives to Jesus, we receive forgiveness, eternal life, and freedom from the confines of Old Testament laws. Jesus fulfilled all of God’s demands and made a way for us to have a relationship with Him.
But all of this freedom in Christ comes with responsibility. Jesus, while He has given us freedom, has called us to a mission on His behalf. We are His representatives on earth, and that changes the way we live — from the photos we put on social media to the way we respond to an aggressive driver in rush hour traffic.
We have the privilege and responsibility of representing Jesus through the way we live.
In his letter to the church in Corinth, Paul reminds us to honour God in all that we do: “So whether you eat, 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 everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved” (1 Corinthians 10:31-33).
As believers, we have the privilege and responsibility of representing Jesus through the way we live. Keeping our consciences at the forefront, by not doing things we know are wrong, Paul also warns us not to go out of our way to offend.
Our lives point to Jesus. So it’s important that we ask ourselves daily, “Is what I have on display right now going to lead people to Jesus or is it going to turn them away?”
- If you are a believer, what is one area of your life that is not pointing people to Jesus?
- Lord, help me to shine as a light in this world that is in great need of you, so I can draw men out of darkness into the Kingdom of your dear Son, Jesus. Amen.
Further Reading: Proverbs 6:6-19; Habakkuk 1:5-14; Luke 14:12-24
ESOCS Devotional 27 September 2024
