The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"An In the Moment Christ"
Part 2 - "The Whatsoevers"
"Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (I Corinthians 10:31).
The privileged responsibility of born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ to do "whatsoever" for the glory of God bestows our lives with continual significance, meaning, and intention in all things. We do not compartmentalize our doings in terms of some actions being spiritual, and others merely earthly.
"Unto the pure, all things are pure" (Titus 1:15).
Consider the everyday, seemingly nominal tasks of life, many of which are performed alone and without witnesses. Can such mundane matters be an opportunity to glorify the Lord Jesus? Do they all within the realm of the "whatsoever?" They absolutely do. Our private experience actually reveals the quality of our walk with God. Recall the adage, "Reputation results from what we do when others are looking. Character is formed in what we do when no one is looking." This truism applies even more regarding our relationship and response to our Heavenly Father. Our personal experience with Him and of Him determines our capability to honor Him publicly.
"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly" (Matthew 6:5-6).
This truth does not come naturally, even to devoted believers. The Holy Spirit must incessantly work in our hearts and minds to bear witness that our first purpose in everything we do involves reflecting well on the reputation and honor of our Lord. "Awake to righteousness" (I Corinthians 15:34). We must join the Spirit by establishing the glory of God as primary in every venue and activity of life. Any other primary purpose for doing what we do falls far short in fulfilling the reason for our existence. Moreover, any other intention means that we miss so very much of the joy and zest for living that ensues when "whatsoever ye do" for God's glory infuses and enables "this one thing I do" (Philippians 3:13). Indeed, the Christian life is a life, an ongoing privilege of knowing our Lord by faith, and thus serving as the reflective moon to His sun (Son) whereby His light shines through us in the present darkness of a fallen world.
The "Whatsoevers." God can be known, trusted, and served in all things as the very heart of reality in every moment and doing. We acknowledge Him as present and active. We trust Him for enabling. We affirm to Him that what we do, we do for Him, to Him, and through Him. This is life, the life of Christ indwelling and empowering our determination - our first purpose and reason - for the steps of our lives, all of which offer the privilege and duty to glorify God in all things.
"Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord."
(Colossians 3:23)
Weekly Memory Verse
Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord.
(Colossians 323).
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