Endure Everything Because of the Love for Those Who Are Chosen

FROM: OCTOBER 23 @ 29, 2018 TOPIC: “Endure Everything Because of the Love for Those Who Are Chosen" 1 Corinthians 10:31 –33

These verses tell us about how we should live for others. Things are as God sees them. They are not as we think or believe. We let ourselves be led by what we believe in, according to what we’ve learned in this world. Everyone has his way of seeing things and acting on many reasons: what he has lived, what suits them, etc. But for God, things are as they really are.

I. There are two great rules to guide us as believers.

A. The first, is to do things for the glory of God; and the second for the good of our fellow men.

1. One goes hand in hand with the other.

2. "... or (if) you do something else, do everything for the glory of God." (Vs.31)

3. What you do is for the glory of God and in that, good is involved for others.

4. There are decisions to make. For example: Choose a job, transfer from a university, etc. But, think: "Is there glory for God in what you are going to do?"

5. Before participating in it, can you bow your head, and ask the Lord to be glorified by what you are about to do?

6. The good of our fellow men is a rule for you. You cannot rid yourselves of this.

7. We should not be an obstacle for Jews or Gentiles, "nor to the Church of God." (Vs.32)

8. Humanity is divided into three categories: First are the Jews, the nation of Israel. Second, the Gentiles who are the unconverted of other nations. Third, the Church of God that includes the true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, whether Gentiles or Jews who have believed.

9. Here, the Word of God is warning us against using our legitimate rights in such a way that we cause others to stumble. For example, go to India and eat cow meat! Freedom is not to take pride in, it is the humbleness to love.

10. In His glory there is no strife, no pride, no arrogance or rebellion.

11. Seek to please everyone, not for personal gain. But seeking the benefit of many.

12. Let's look at the example of the life of Paul, the apostle, who writes the epistle:

a. Acts 20:24 "I do not consider my life precious to myself ..." His ambition was to obey God and please Him. If his "life" was offered to God because of this, what mattered was to finish his career and the ministry he had received from the Lord Jesus.

b. By going to Jerusalem, Paul was destined for pain (Acts 21:13). The brothers asked him not to go to Jerusalem. But their tears only broke his heart. Should Paul’s fear of

chains and imprisonment restrain him from doing what he considered God's will? No. He was willing to die in Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus.

c. 1 Corinthians 8:13 Since it is a sin against Christ to cause a brother to fall, Paul said that he would never eat meat, if that leads him to make a brother fall. Today, in a Christian’s life there are many things that, although they are not forbidden in the Word of God, would nevertheless cause an unnecessary offense for the weakest Christians. Although we may have the right to participate in them, a more sublime right is to "renounce this right" for the spiritual good of those we love in Christ, our brothers in the faith.

d. 1 Corinthians 9:23 For the sake of the Gospel, I do what I do; to also become a participant in the gospel. I am weak for those who are weak. To win them, to save some. He submitted his rights and desires to the work of the Lord, to become a participant in the gospel. And you? How much do you love the gospel?

e. 2 Corinthians 12:15 The Apostle’s love for the people of God. He was willing to give himself in an "endless service and sacrifice" for their souls, that is, for their spiritual welfare. He loved them more than the phony masters did. But they loved Paul less. This was not a reason for Paul’s "love to be different." If there was no hope that his love for them would be reciprocated, "He would continue to love them." This way, Paul was completely following the Lord.

f. 2 Timothy 2:10 I endure everything because I love the chosen! Paul withstood everything for the chosen ones. Those guilty sinners are now saved by the grace of God. That was enough to inspire Paul to endure everything. Amen.