-This verse channels Paul’s exhortation from 1Corinthians 10.31 to do whatever we do to the glory of God. In this case, all and everything we say and do as Christ-followers not only must be worthy of being associated with His name BUT ALSO must somehow contribute to the furthering of His cause and reknown.
-Remember as well what Paul has been pointing out about Jesus this whole letter. He is not just some pretty decent dude. He is LORD. He is Almighty Creator God. He is holy and glorous and He is King of the universe. He is the One with Whom we have to do. We answer to Him. But again since He loves us and we love Him back we are not merely under obligation to obey Him but we want to do all and everything we can to please Him and to enhance His reputation among our neighbors and the nations.
-Think about the words that you say. Think about the things that you do, the work that you do. Can they all readily be associated with the name of Jesus? How do I make Him look when I do what I do? What's more, how do you think they make Him feel?
-And is there gratitude in all and everything we say and do? Paul exhorts God's people to thankfulness for the third time in three verses. Once again, this is the frosting on the cake, the common thread that takes it all to the level it where we really show off how good we believe God really is. Not only are grateful people easier to be around, they also show quite clearly that they have come to believe that god is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. When we have an attitude of gratitude in all that we do, when our lives are constantly overflowing with gratefulness to God for all ways He demonstrates His goodness to us, even when times are hard, we not only give witness to the watching world that God really is good, but we also strengthen and spur on our fellow believers to stick together and keep pressing on unto love and good deeds.
No comments:
Post a Comment