An unselfish life (5)

Paul knew that to put God on display to as many people as possible, he couldn't be selfish or arrogant and place any attention on himself. He says, 'I try to please everyone in all that I do, not thinking of my own good, but of the good of all, so that they might be saved' (1 Corinthians 10:33). It's not about the perceived right or wrong way of doing things... it's about keeping the main thing the main thing, which is keeping the focus on God.

Using the example of traditional Jewish food preparation... The Jews, the root of God's Church, had many strict rules around the handling of food. But Jesus had said, '"Can't you see that the food you put into your body cannot defile you? Food doesn't go into your heart, but only passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer." (By saying this, he declared that every kind of food is acceptable in God's eyes.)' (Mark 7:18-19 NLT). So, if Paul were having dinner with a Jewish friend, he would still follow those traditions because his main aim was to share about Jesus.

It can take patience, and a determination to love (or 'grace'), to ignore our personal views when we see insignificant things we disagree with, but Paul wanted to prevent unnecessary disagreements and have God-filled conversations to welcome anyone he could into God's Kingdom.



So what now? Meeting with someone who has stricter rules about eating than you? Can you chat about Jesus, without mentioning the rules at all?





— SCRIPTURE —

'I am not seeking my own good but the good of many.' 1 Corinthians 10:33 NIV
— SOULFOOD —

Zeph 1-3, John 6:1-24, Ps 85 , Pro 24:11-14