Glory to God in Christian Liberty

Text: 1 Corinthians 10:31 "Whether therfore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God".

Every area of the Christian life is to be governed by one supreme purpose: the glory of God.  This truth is not merely a doctrinal statement to be affirmed, but a daily principle to be practiced in every decision, every liberty, and every testimony before both the church and the world.

The Chief End of Man

The Westminster Catechism (protestant catechism) begins with the question and answer, "What is the chief end of man?  Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever." While a fundamental Baptist position rests finally upon the authority of Scripture alone, that statement expresses a biblical truth clearly seen in 1 Corinthians 10:31. The context of this verse gives a practical understanding of what it means to glorify God.

Christian Liberty and the Corinthian Problem

Paul is writing to explain how the believer is to live a life of liberty before the Lord.  He uses one of the divisive circumstances that was going on among the believers in the church at Corinth, whether they should eat meat offered to them by an unbeliever or not.  There were those who said that it was of great importance to abstain from eating the meat, and there were others who said it did not matter at all.  After all, steak is steak.  Apparently, this discussion had led to a sharp division in which judgment was made upon those who ate the meat.  This led to angry reactions from those being judged.

Paul's response to this problem includes several important aspects.  First, he deals with the aspect of Christian liberty.  He clearly proclaims the truth of Christian liberty saying that all things are lawful to him and to all believers.  By that, Paul is teaching that nothing a Christian does or says will affect his status as a pardoned saved son of God.  The status of salvation is entirely dependent upon the believer’s relationship with Jesus Christ.  Salvation is by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ, not by the maintaining of man-made restrictions.

However, Paul also teaches that though all things are lawful, not all things are expedient: fruitful.  He has already described the relationship of idols with demon worship and made it clear that no believer should have any part in anything that is directly related to demon (idol) worship. The issue of eating meat that had been blessed or offered to idols puts Christian liberty into a sober and practical perspective.

Obviously, a Christian should have no desire to be connected in any way to the worship of demons through idols.  Paul’s point is that although a steak is a steak, it is possible that eating a steak could link the Christian to demons in the minds and consciences of others.  It is not the steak itself, but the relationship of the steak to idols that creates the problem of expediency.  Therefore, Paul gives instruction on how the believer should handle any issue raised about the meat he eats or any other questionable activity that might link him to satanic worship or control.

The Believer’s Responsibility Toward Others

First, notice that Paul immediately makes it clear that the basis of the decision is not to be made in relationship to myself.  It really does not matter that I have the liberty to partake of any food or of any kind of practice.  The basis of the choice is the effect that it will have on others.  The question we should ask is not merely whether something is rightfully allowed, but will it have a positive or negative effect on others, both believers and unbelievers.

We should ask, Does this edify my brother?  We should also consider the spiritual condition of those observing us.  A second question follows: Am I offending the conscience of those who are observing my actions?  Do my actions strengthen my fellow believers, or do they weaken the work of the conscience of both believer and unbeliever to accuse of sinful attitudes?

If my actions, though permitted by the principle of grace, create questionable testimony, they are not expedient.  We are to be light and salt to reveal truth and to preserve righteousness.  Light that is covered with selfish actions or attitudes is dimmed.  Salt that has lost its savor has lost its preservative and salient character.  In both cases, they have lost their value.  Humility is the basis of such actions.

Doing All to the Glory of God

Paul ends the discussion with the supreme reason to be willing to set aside what might be lawful to the believer: to glorify God.  He makes it clear that this principle is to be applied to every area of the Christian's life: eating, drinking, or whatever is done.  If my actions do not strengthen another believer's relationship with God, they are wrong.  If my actions do not lead the unsaved to Jesus Christ and salvation, they are wrong.

Paul says that the believer is not to give offence to anyone, Jew, Gentile, or Christian.  The word offence means to lead to sin.  Therefore, in dealing with the issue of Christian liberty, the Christian should ask this question: Does what I am doing or saying leading people to the Lord?  If not, even though lawful in the sense that it does not affect salvation, then it is not expedient.  We must always remember that it is all about HIM.

A Hymn That Points Us Back to Christ

Remember the words to that old hymn declaring the true purpose of salvation:

To God be the glory, Great things He hath.
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life gate that all may go in.

Conclusion: It Is All About Him

To glorify the Lord God, we should be pointing people to that life gate provided by the atonement for sin made by the Lord Jesus Christ.  The Christian life is not a careless exercise of liberty, but a humble testimony of grace.  Every liberty must be brought under the authority of Scripture, the lordship of Christ, and the desire to see God honored before men.