1 CORINTHIANS 10:31 – “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
THEME OF THE DAY: QUESTIONS TO LIVE BY. The Teacher of all Teachers, the Lord Jesus, often used the effective teaching method of asking questions. This method was so effective because of the One asking them. When the Creator asks questions, there is no hiding or skirting our answers. He knows them already. Here are two that Jesus asked His disciples, and daily asks of us – “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46) and “Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”” (Matthew 16:13-15).
Questions are not only an effective method of teaching but a necessary part of our spiritual lives, and especially the practice of self-examination. The Apostle Paul exhorts the Corinthian believers to that end “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” (2 Corinthians 13:5).
We do spiritual examination by asking ourselves questions about our hearts, attitudes, conduct, thinking patterns, and speech through scripture that addresses those areas. For example, are our minds transformed to think more in the spiritual and eternal world than this temporary one? We may use the text from Paul’s letter to the Colossians for this examination – “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:1-3).
However, there is one question that stands out concerning spiritual self-examination. It comes from today’s scripture and is an excellent tool to be used in all areas of our lives – am I doing all to the glory of God? Here are five ways to examine ourselves . . .
- Does the website I am about to view glorify God?
- Does the message, text, or post I am about to make public bring glory to God?
- Does this event, concert, movie, or outing I am about to attend glorify God?
- Do the words I am about to speak in this conversation glorify God?
- Are the people I spend the most time with helping me or hindering me in living for God’s glory?
There are many more applications we may make from today’s scripture, and we should. After all, that is the chief reason for our existence and is to be the criteria for everything and anything we do in life.
PRAYER: Father, let Your honor and glory be the criteria that guide my decisions and conduct in my daily life.
REFLECTION: Life is to be simple. Sin makes it complex. We exist for Him and His glory. Keep life that simple.