The weekend before last I had the great privilege of spending a weekend away with a group of students from Cumberland College thinking about God’s mission for the world and looking at 1Corinthians 8-10. (I also spent the weekend with possibly the largest mosquito population that I have ever seen, but that’s a story for another time). Preaching through those chapters from Corinthians has left me breathless and challenged once again by the example of Jesus and his apostle.
It’s a funny couple of chapters really. Paul starts off talking about food sacrificed to idols (8:1) and before you know it he’s talking about love and knowledge (8:2-3). Then, just when you think you’re on board, in 9:1-2 he changes tack completely and starts defending his apostleship and arguing that it would be okay for him to paid as an apostle. The chapter ends with Paul being all things to all men. Then in chapter 10 he’s off onto the example of idolatry and talking about the Lord’s supper before finishing with one of the most memorable verses in the scriptures: “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Idolatry, love, knowledge, freedom, all things to all men, the Lord’s supper and the apostolic right to food coupons. What gives? The answer is the Lordship of Christ and the compulsion of the gospel. The truth that ties all the threads together is the Lordship of Jesus. Basically put, because Jesus is Lord of everything, then every person I know, both those in church and outside of church, belong to Jesus one way or another. What does that mean for Paul? It means he will give up his freedom for the glory of God. He will not eat meat if it causes his brother to stumble. He will not be paid for his gospel preaching because he wants people to hear Jesus and not worry about the money. He gives every last bit of his energy to honoring Christ. And he warns the Corinthians to remember who they belong to. You can’t honour God and worship idols. But what’s the bottom line?
“I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.” (9:22). “So, whether you eat or drink, or uwhatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (10:31-11:1)
Christ is honoured when we act like him, giving up our lives for the salvation of others. That’s what matters when Christ is Lord.
