Devotions for God’s Family
We are encouraged in scripture to do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31–33 (ESV): So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 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.
Why is it we are encouraged to do all for the glory of God? Why are we directed by Paul to live a certain way? The reason, so that our activity (the way we live) is in the light and not cursed. God desires that we are blessed and not cursed. Most of the time, we are cursed at our own hand. And that should be a concern to us. We should lean in and try to understand more.
The curse that most people who are inside the church walk in, is not what the devil does to us, even though it is the world’s philosophy that we operate in, it is what we do to ourselves.
Does this sound confusing, I certainly don’t want this to be. Jesus said it plainly.
Matthew 7:16-18 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.
A fruit tree that cannot bear fruit is a cursed tree; unable to produce what it is intended to produce. A person who follows Jesus will have a life like Jesus. A person who does not follow Jesus won’t have a life like Jesus. Of course, we cannot base our assessment on one occurrence or one day out of our life, take a look at the tree as Jesus does. The tree should be bearing fruit in the course of time.
This reminds me of another situation where a curse fell upon something incapable of bearing fruit.
Matthew 21:18-19 In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once.
This tree was cursed. And just like trees, people can be cursed too. Does that seem scary? Jesus didn’t come to curse you, He came to earth to bless and provide. He came to be your friend and to help you grow.
Listen to His own words regarding this issue.
John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
When we walk in sin, it always affects us. And in most cases it also affects others. That is how others are offended. But when we walk in the light of the scripture the only offense that can be given is one that God intends, that is the offense of truth.
The light shines into the darkness and those who hold onto the darkness are offended by the presence of light.
John 3:20–21 (ESV): For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.
Believer and unbelievers alike can walk in darkness and the fruit of darkness is sorrow and pain for ourselves and others. This my friend, is to be cured at our own hand.
Scripture is teaching us to live in the light so that you have a testimony of the power of God through Jesus to be able to break free from the hold of this world. Yes, through Jesus the curse of eternal punishment is lifted and with that, the present guilt and shame for the sins we commit that ought to be the precursor to eternal punishment is lifted too.
We are free from judgment. That is the wonderful gift given to us by Jesus. And, we have the opportunity to know God personally, if you want to.
Make no mistake, curses exist for those who embrace sin because anything that is not blessed is cursed. Anything that is not redeemed is unredeemed. There is no neutral with God. God has no gray area. Live blessed. Live in the light of truth and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
As has been said – “Do all to the glory of God”, why else would Paul say that?
God, I thank You for today. I thank You Father for breath in my lungs and amazing food all around me. Thank You for money and resources around me. All of this comes from You. Health and energy, influence and purpose, all good things come from You. You are God, You are not like any other. I praise You this morning and bless Your name. Glory to God in the highest, peace and good will to men on earth. Jesus, You set a person free from their sin. I can say that because You do that. I believe with all of my heart that I am and will be set free from my sin. I do not ever want to sin again, but if I do, I know that I have on advocate in heaven and an advocate who lives right inside of me. Thank You Jesus.
Blessings
Pastor D
