All Things to the Glory of God

After ending a long season on the topic of "eating meat sacrificed to idols", the scripture left us on a high note, instructing us on the importance of doing all things to the glory of God. I find that in life our attitudes and action are either going to glorify God or not. If our attitudes and actions do not glorify God they are either bringing glory to self, or they bringing glory to satan. Immediately one would protest, "But isn't that too dogmatic? Aren't there some things that are just neutral?" On the surface it appears that some actions in life can be purely neutral, like watching a movie, or playing golf. But what is a neutral action? Is there such a thing? Every decision we make in life is driven by some particular inward disposition. For example if I do choose to watch a movie, I am going to choose a genre that I like. If my wife brings home a chic-flic with Julia Roberts, more than likely I will cozy up to a good book instead. The point here is that we do what we like, and we don't do what we don't like. Therefore nothing is done from a neutral disposition. That is why Paul used such insignificant and mundane examples like food and drink. Even what we eat and drink- as unimportant as it appears, has a motivating force behind it.

The question we must begin to ask our selves is "What is motivating us when we make certain decision, or take certain attitudes?" Are we motivated by a love for God and a strong desire to bring him glory? And if not, why? Perhaps we are seeking the glory of another? Perhaps ourselves? If scripture commands us to premeditate on what we eat and drink so as to bring glory to God, what parts of our life are outside the realm of being lived to His glory? Nothing. Every part of our life should be lived with a single minded purpose to glorify God, to honor Him, and make Him look great! The only way this is possible is if we are born again. We must be regenerated and given a new heart with new desires if we are going to live a life that is motivated by giving glory to God. Because only a regenerate heart can have such a radical approach to life. That is because when God give us a new heart, we now delight in bringing glory to God and desire to make much of Him. Therefore eating, drinking, and doing whatever to the glory of God is not a burden but a delight.

So many Christians ,I believe, deceive themselves into thinking that there are areas of life that are neutral, and neither bring glory to God nor bring reproach to the Lord. In my own life recently I have had a startling revelation. I was obsessed with politics and was for all intents and purposes a "news junky". However one day the Holy Spirit brought great conviction upon me. I asked myself, "How is my obsession with politics bringing glory to God?"What I realized is that politics was just another seductive distraction the world has produced to make me lose focus on my main purpose in life. By God's grace, I rarely watch the news anymore, and take no pleasure in it. The longer I am a Christian, I find myself takign no pleasure in doing vain things, and finding great passion and joy in doing those thigns that are most glorifying to God!  The point here is we may need to do a personal inventory and begin to question our motives in our favorite hobbies and activities. We may need to get on our knees and ask God to reveal to us if there is anything in our lives that is NOT gloriying to him, and we may be surprised what the Holy Spirt may reveal. When praying lke this mediate on Ps. 139:23-24

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me,and lead me in the way everlasting!" 

If we are honest with ourselves, and open to the Spirits leading, we may find out that our lives may need some rearranging or at the very least a new attitude about the activities we engage in. In the end, our main goal- To God be the Glory!