For the Greater Good part 2 - Daily Devotional August 28th 2009

Daily Bible Reading Plan - 2 Kings 1-2, Jeremiah 50, 1 Corinthians 10

The Greater Good Part 2 (1 Corinthians 10)

Yesterday we talked about how we have freedom in Christ to do many things but that for the greater good we should not always exercise those freedoms. We discussed how it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me and that our heart needs to be a heart for people.

In 1 Corinthians 10 Paul carries this thought even further as he says in vs. 23-24, "All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor." What we need to understand is that the greater good is not just making sure we do not offend someone or upset their conscience. The greater good as I see it is summed up in vs. 33, "just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved".

Living a life that is no longer mine but is Christ's (Galatians 2:20) means that I am living with an ultimate purpose in mind. That ultimate purpose is not me just making sure I do not offend people but as seen in vs. 33 it is desiring that people come to know Jesus Christ. If my focus is just not to offend people and their conscience then I am going to get really annoyed. I am going to feel like I am walking around on egg shells every where I go. But if we really understand what Paul is saying here in 1 Corinthians 10 we realize that to live as Christ is to have a total transformation of heart where everything we do is for the greater good or for the salvation of souls. Therefore, we don't do certain things because by not doing it, someone my see Him in us and be saved. We do certain things because someone may see our good works and glorify Jesus Christ the King of kings. This is the greater good!

Let's shift our focus today and not focus on trying not to offend someone and their conscience because this will just frustrate you and cause you to live in legalism. Let's focus on the greater good of winning people to Jesus Christ because in that there is freedom and joy. Let's look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith!

Thanks for listening

Tomorrows Bible Reading - 2 Kings 3, Jeremiah 51, 1 Corinthians 11

Dream Big
Ben