1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” God has given each of us “vocations” (literally, “callings”). Child of God, student of the Word, parent, child, friend, employer, employee, pastor, teacher, and citizen are all examples of the various vocations that exist. You, no doubt, have many! One of the ways we give God glory is through our callings.

Think of five callings you currently have in your life. What is one specific way in each calling that you could glorify God?

By living every day to his glory

As Christians, our life source is the Word of God. Peter tells us to crave it so that by it we grow up in our salvation (1 Peter 2:2) as well as to always be ready to share the hope that we have (1 Peter 3:15). The writer to the Hebrews tells us not to give up meeting together for worship (Hebrews 10:25). The Word of God is vital if we want to glorify God with our lives.

Respond to someone who says, “I don’t need to go to church or read the Bible in order to glorify God.”

We carry out our vocations every day motivated and guided by God’s Word. Glorifying God has as much to do with our attitudes as it does with what we do.

Read James 2:1; Philippians 2:3; and 1 Peter 1:17.

What does each passage have to say about the attitude with which we carry out our callings?

By using his gifts to his glory

The apostle Peter says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others” (1 Peter 4:10). So how many Christians have been given gifts? Peter says, “Each of you.” I’ve known some people who have said they don’t have gifts. That’s not true! Everyone has gifts and abilities, and those gifts and abilities are to be used not for selfish reasons but to serve others!

Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-27.

List all the points Paul is trying to make by comparing a church to a body.

The apostle Paul says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1). In view of God’s mercy, with the cross of Christ before their eyes, I see a mother feeding her child and showing that child how to love a husband. I see a father having a devotion with his family. I see a factory worker making his quota and a high school boy studying hard for a test. I see an elderly man in a nursing home alone in his room with his hands folded and eyes closed in prayer. I see you, dear reader, thinking of God’s love and how to serve him. No one else may see them—or you—give glory to God with their lives, but that’s okay. It’s all for an audience of One. And he’s smiling.

To God alone be the glory!

Author: David Scharf
Volume 108, Number 1
Issue: January 2021

Facebook comments

Comments