So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV)
Often, we teach people to do their best. We encourage kids in sports to “hustle.” We tell our kids in school to “study hard.” We tell kids who are trying something new and different to give it their “best effort.” I find that in all the motivation we share with others, as followers of Jesus we also need a similar reminder. In our focal Scripture today, we are reminded to do everything to the glory of God.
One time I heard a teacher ask this question, “if you were the only Bible someone ever read, would they know Jesus?” Imagine it… there are five Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the story you are living. Research indicates that one of the most common things that confuse unbelievers and the world is that followers of Jesus don’t always live out His teachings. What happens when a Christian forgets that their lives are living testimony to a lost and dying world? Confusion.
In our devotion we’ve already explored the truth several times that we need to practice what we preach (see Matthew 23:3 and Day 17 of our devotional series). Imagine for just a moment, what if that dead end job that you feel like is sucking the life out of you wasn’t a job you were working for your employer, but a job you were working for Jesus. Hear me out… what if instead of complaining about your job and dreading another day, that you intentionally started working for the glory of God. All of us are telling the world something about God by how we live (work and play)… what does your life say?
In Colossians, Paul writes it this way: Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24 ESV) How different would our lives be if we did everything for God’s glory as if we were serving Jesus (because we are).
Before I began serving in full-time ministry, I spent over 16 years in the telecommunications industry. I was blessed to work for some of the world’s largest corporations during this time. I got to work with people from all walks of life and from around the world. During this time, I can remember meeting a high-level official with one company. As we met and talked, I found out that my new boss was not only a Christian, but he was a deacon at his church. Over the course of time as I worked with this brother in Christ, I was saddened about how little his faith seemed to affect his professional life.
This situation was just one of the many I’ve encountered in my life. People segment their private lives and their professional lives. Jesus is Lord when they are off the clock, but their company becomes lord for the other 40+ hours a week. How sad is it when we forget that at the end of the day, no matter where we go or what we do, it should be for the glory of God.
Maybe you can relate just a little today. I want to pause and acknowledge a hard reality; I have been here too. I have been the one who struggled not to let my corporate identity swallow up my true identity in Christ. I have been the one who has struggled to do everything for the glory of the Lord. I’m thankful for the grace of God, His correction and forgiveness in these moments of my life. Maybe you are struggling with this today too. If so, what can you do?
Repent. This word evokes so many negative, strong emotions but it is a foundational part of our relationship with God. Repentance is a change of heart that leads to a change of direction. When God convicts us or corrects us, we should confess our sins, embrace His forgiveness, and choose to turn away from our sin (1 John 1:9).
I want to end today’s devotion with a challenge. Grab a piece of paper and a pen (you know the drill, I’ll wait). Now that you have it, I want you to make a list of all the major areas of your life. Make sure to include the major areas and important areas, even if they consume less time. Your list might look like this:
Sample list
Marriage
Children
Work
Ministry
Hobbies
Finances
Errands
Entertainment
Your list may look very similar to the sample list, or it may be totally different. Now that you have your list written out, I want you to go through your list and carefully ask: do I honor Jesus in this area of my life? For those areas you honestly feel like you are honoring Jesus, put a check mark next to. For those that don’t honor Jesus, put an X beside. Now your list might look like this:
Marriage X
Children ✓
Work X
Ministry ✓
Hobbies ✓
Finances X
Errands ✓
Entertainment X
Now take a few moments and carefully review your list. Pray and ask God to reveal which areas of your life you haven’t submitted to Him. Honestly and humbly go back through your list and update your check’s and X’s as needed. Whatever area of your life you are trying to keep from Jesus is exactly the area He is calling you to surrender to Him today. Today, I pray that you would have the courage to do everything everywhere you go to the glory of God.
Father, please forgive me for trying to be lord of my life. God, I confess that there are areas I find difficult to submit to You. Lord, I know that You won’t share me with another. Please give me the courage and faith to submit my life to You. Jesus, help me be concerned about how I am representing You to a lost and dying world. Holy Spirit, please convict me when I don’t honor Jesus with my life. Please help me be a good ambassador to the world around me. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
