Seek the Good of Your Neighbor
.
1 Corinthians 10:23-34
23. "All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up. 24. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 25. Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 26. For "the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it." 27. If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28. (But if some one says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then out of consideration for the man who informed you, and for conscience' sake -- 29. I mean his conscience, not yours -- do not eat it.) For why should my liberty be determined by another man's scruples? 30. If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? 31. 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 all men in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.
We are not to isolate ourselves from non-Christians. We are not to insulate ourselves from the ways of non-believers. There are many non-Christians who are good people. There a many other religions that are based on love and peace. Paul tells us not to stay apart from others, but to go into the world—into “their” world in order to reach them. We can’t stay shut up in our churches and in our homes and expect to be called disciples! We can’t shun everyone who doesn’t believe as we do, because then we never have a chance to proclaim to them the Good News!
Could Paul actually be condoning a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy? In a way he is! He’s telling believers not to make a big issue out of interrogating a co-worker, neighbor, or acquaintance about their religious practices. Rather, if we serve as an example, the other may ask us the source of our own practices and the beliefs behind them. In other words, we don’t need to be pushy and aggressive. Our lifestyle and the things we say and do should be obvious reflections of our faith. And when others look upon us, they will want to know the source of our strength, love, conviction. They will want to know how to acquire the peace and the grace which God offers—not only to us, but to all who hear and believe.
So, Paul tells us not to go around condemning others for what they believe. But don’t condone behavior that is counter to our own faith, either. Don’t force our faith down the throat of another, but if we notice them acting in a way we don’t accept, it’s our duty to tell them so. Don’t criticize others for their actions, but rather guide and direct them out of love for them as fellow human beings. Again, set such a good example that others seek you out.
That’s a pretty tall order! Just sitting in traffic on the way to work, you can throw that good intention out the window—let alone when we arrive at the office on a Monday morning! Just making a grocery list and organizing coupons can cause enough anxiety and frustration, without playing cart hockey and maneuvering around slow, indecisive shoppers without a clue! Just living in the world can be hard, if we don’t remember that our life is a gift and our promise is that of Gods’ grace!
I hope you spend today living such a joyful, grace-filled life that others stop to look at you and wonder, “Who is this God to whom you give glory?”
Mary
