GOD-GLORIFYING IMPACT (2)

“...Whatever you DO, DO ALL to the GLORY of GOD” – 1 Corinthians 10:31b

In this New Year 2025, we are called to a Life of GOD-GLORIFYING IMPACT: “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, DO ALL to the GLORY of GOD” (1 Cor.10:31). Every year is primarily about God, and secondarily about us! 2025 is no exception. Glorifying God means feeling, thinking, and acting in ways that reflect His Greatness, that make much of God, that give evidence of the Supreme Greatness of all His Attributes and the all-satisfying Beauty of His Manifold Perfections. We are called to lives of Impact that glorify God as the Ultimate, Absolute, All-pervasive Reason for being everything we are, and doing everything we do!

While addressing a controversy about whether or not it’s right to eat food that had previously been used in pagan worship, the apostle Paul revealed this important principle that: Every part of our lives has the potential to bring Glory to God, especially before an unbelieving world!  God’s ultimate purpose for humankind is to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever! This purpose can find greater expressions in our personal lives, thoughts, attitudes, choices, chores, hobbies, businesses, careers, families, relationships, professions, ministries, and communities. Every month, week, day, hour, minute, and moment in year 2025 can be lived to glorify God – Creator of Time and Possessor of Eternity!

For the believer in Christ, there is no isolated “spiritual” sector of life. All aspects of our lives matter to God, and can make impact for His Glory. God calls us to glorify Him in everything, not just the “religious” roles we perform in church or in our devotions. Every assignment, duty, or task – however small or routine – ought to reflect God’s Glory and Worth! Glorifying God is not something we do some of the time, on Sundays, or only during devotions. It’s something we’re supposed to engage in all the time – when we eat, drink, sleep, work, play, and rest. This demands that we change from the old way of living for ourselves, and begin to trust in what Christ Jesus has done for us.

In Christ, “all things are lawful” but not all things are expedient, helpful, or edifying (v.23). We must covenant with the Lord, not to live for self, but for His Glory (v.24). Whatever could be detrimental to the faith of another or that would not bring glory to the Lord, however lawful or legitimate, must be a no-go zone for us! We glorify God when, out of love for Him, we lay down our rights, our freedoms, in eating or drinking or whatever, in order to do what is God-glorifying and edifying. Paul concluded: “Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or the church of God” (v.32).

Beloved, glorifying God is our 24/7/365 privilege and responsibility! In this New Year, we shall make God-Glorifying Impact in our personal lives, marriages, families, careers, business decisions, Christian services, ministries, and leadership settings.