Making Choices

We make hundreds of choices each day. The majority of these choices has no right or wrong associated with them – such as what you wear or what you eat. However, we do face decisions that carry a bit more weight. We don’t want to do the wrong thing and we certainly don’t want to cause others to do wrong, so how do we make the decisions that are best?

Paul addressed a question about what is appropriate for a Christian guest at an unbeliever’s table when served meat that was sacrificed to idols. Idol worship was common in Corinth and many of the recent converts to Christianity came from pagan backgrounds where they had practiced this ritual. A portion of Paul’s reply about others’ opinions on this situation is our verse of thanks.

“If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?” 1 Cor. 10:30

The passage goes on to say: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble… For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.” 1 Corinthians 10:31-33

We want to live well, but our foremost efforts should be to help others live well.

Exercising our personal freedoms in making daily choices should be led by whether it will bring glory to God, whether it will build up the church of God and whether it will encourage the unsaved to receive Christ as Savior.

Ask yourself these questions with a sensitive and gracious heart before making choices:

Is it best and helpful?

Am I thinking only of myself, or do I truly care about another person’s best interest?

Am I acting lovingly or selfishly?

Does it glorify God?

Will it encourage someone else to sin?

Paul could thank God for meat sacrificed to idols, because the idol is nothing and the meat is a part of God’s created world – a gift of provision from God. Paul is avoiding legalism and the focus on self-preservation. God gave us all things and wants us to enjoy them. However, if eating the meat, knowing where it came from, caused a new believer or someone not yet saved to become confused about his loyalty to God, Paul would likely not eat it.

The point is not to get nit-picky about right/wrong or good/bad, but to bring glory to God and draw others to His loving presence by setting a godly example in making the right choice and thanking God for the ability to do so.

"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b