For the greater good - Daily Devotional August 27th 2009

Daily Bible Reading Plan - 1 Kings 22, Jeremiah 49, 1 Corinthians 8-9

For the greater good

As Christians we must come to understand that it is "no longer I that live but Christ who lives in me". (Galatians 2:20) That being said, our approach to everything we do here on earth changes for the greater good. If we do not understand this we simply add the knowledge of Jesus Christ to our lives but not the principle of dying to ourselves daily and therefore we continue to make decisions for our good rather than the greater good.

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 8:13, "Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble." He is speaking in relation to eating food offered to idols and says that in his knowledge its just food and we all need it. But to someone else who is a newer Christian they are not yet aware of the full freedom they have in Christ and it may cause them to stumble in certain areas being unaware of the freedom they have in Jesus Christ. The point is this. I may be free in Christ to do certain things but someone who is a newer believer may see me doing it and it will cause them to stumble so for the greater good rather than my good I do not do certain things.

1 Kings 22 paints a similar picture of how we need to make sure we are focused on the greater good rather than on our own. In this passage the king of Israel wants to go to war and get one of his cities back. Under the direction of the king of Judah he inquires of the Lord through the prophets whether or not he should go to battle. The 400 prophets prophesy that he should go into battle and he will win. The king of Judah asks if there is another prophet that can be brought in and so they summon Micaiah. The king of Israel is hesitant to bring in Micaiah as he states in 1 Kings 22:8, "...I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but evil." Therefore when Micaiah is summoned to come to the king he is cautioned in 1 Kings 22:13 to, "Behold, the words of the prophets with one accord are favorable to the king. Let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably". Micaiah's reply was, "what the LORD says to me, that I will speak." (1 Kings 22:14) As we read on we see that it would have been better for Micaiah just to say what the rest of the prophets were saying but it was for the greater good for him to speak the truth and let God take care of the rest.

Both of these passages show us that we need to be doing not what is in our best interest but rather what is in best interest of the kingdom of God and what is in the best interest of people. This is living a life that is dedicated unto Jesus Christ and shows a level of maturity as a Christ follower that all of us should pursue. How are you living today? Are you making decisions that benefit you and are for you best interest or are you making decisions that are for the greater good. Although these passages may seem very spiritual this principle gets real practical and plays into every area of life. Think about the clothes you where? There may be a certain outfit, swim suit etc that is very flattering for your body type but is it drawing attention to certain parts of your body that may cause someone to stumble. There are certain movies/shows that are ok for you to watch but it may cause someone else to stumble. Are you willing to give it up? There are times you need to confront a friend in love and tell them that the life they are living is not glorifying God. Are you more concerned about losing their friendship or about them losing there eternal destiny. Paul makes it very clear that we have the right to do all of these things but to make sure, "...that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak." (1 Corinthians 8:9)

All of these are practical everyday things that you and I have an opportunity to make decisions about for the greater good of Jesus Christ and the benefit of others. How we handle these everyday decisions truly shows whether or not it is Christ who lives in us and if our heart is for the greater good. Where are you at with this today?

Thanks for listening

Tomorrows Bible Reading - 2 Kings 1-2, Jeremiah 50, 1 Corinthians 10

Dream Big
Ben