constitution to see if they could find any loopholes whereby we might be able to accept the instru ment. The people at Corinth were no different. They knew the re sponsibilities set down in the Chris tian faith, but they tried to get around the situations in every way possible. It is interesting that in this entire epistle the Apostle does not give any legalistic "do nots" to the church at Corinth. Rather, he ap peals to them on the basis of their being born again. They should now desire to glorify the Lord. We are to do all things to the "glory" of Cod. In English that means a num ber of things. From the Creek we get our word doxology. Another thing is that it suggests one has an opinion; to render an evaluation; to give a consideration. Suppose a number of us gath ered together and talked about different individuals. I might speak very highly of a person whose name was mentioned. In this sense I would be glorifying him. I would be giving an evaluation highly fav orable to him. Paul realized that you and I are observed by every one in all things that we do and say. Even our facial expressions and the tone of our voices show what we are like. We live in a goldfish bowl as the world sees us under every conceivable situation. When people observe us they can come to one of two conclusions as far as Christ is concerned. Either His death was really worth it, or else the cross was a total loss (vs. 32). The Jews were God's ancient covenant people. "Gentiles," the Latin word for people, referred to those outside of this spiritual
covenant. The Church of God speaks of the relationship we have by way of His marvelous grace. Regardless of who these people are we are to live so that we give no offense. Our lives must not turn them off to Christ. We are not to be a stumbling block. It should be our desire to draw their attention to the Saviour. Our purpose, as we see in vs. 33, is to live for the Lord becoming His instrument in saving the lost and seeing them brought to a knowledge of Christ. It is true that we can never pervert the glory of the Lord, as far as His essential glory is concerned, but we can give a perverted reflection of that glory. The world cannot stand a hypo crite. If they discover that we are "phonies," they will come to the erroneous conclusion that the Gos pel has no power, and cannot really save. You and I have a great respon sibility to live for Him who died for us, that we might be, as it were, the verifying data that the Gospel is truly the power of God unto sal vation. Let us live as God's miracle people. This is what we are to be in actuality. Paul says, "I therefore the prisoner of the Lord beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called." The real joy and satisfaction we have in Christ is because we are living for Him who died for us. THE GREATEST INGREDIENT One of the most challenging texts of the Bible is I Corinthians 15:58, "Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, al ways abounding in the work of the Lord." Quite often there is some thing missing in many of our evan gelical endeavors. The spirit of love
Page 28
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker