A Better Question

Too often in life we ask the wrong question.

When we talk to singles about sex and dating the question is, "How far can I go?"  When someone talks about drinking alcohol the question is, "How much is too much?"  When we talk about having material possessions the question is, "How much can I have before I'm greedy?"  When we think about the movies we watch we ask, "Where is the line I can't cross?"  When we think about missing church services we ask, "How often is too often?"

We always want to know where the line is.  We always want to know what's the most I can do and still be a good little boy.  We too often think of Christianity in terms of works.  We may not phrase it like that but in asking where the line is we really are asking how much wiggle room we can have while still getting the gold star we think we need.

There is a better question when it comes to our decision making in any and all circumstances.

"Does this glorify God?"

Now, I'm not in a position where I can even claim to do this well, but that is the question that will change our lives.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism's first question is, "What is the chief end of man?" And its answer is, "Man's chief end is to glorify God, and enjoy Him forever."  So, are we living out our purpose?  Are we glorifying God?  Are we enjoying Him?  I would argue that doing the first is doing the second, but are we glorifying God?

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."  1 Corinthians 10:31

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:17

I have not mastered this, but this is my aim: to do all things for the glory of God.  Now, this doesn't mean one must become a monk or a nun.  No, the first man and woman were neither in Eden and they did all to the glory of God until sin entered the world.  They gardened to His glory, they ate to His glory, they walked to His glory, the made love to His glory, they laughed to His glory, they napped to His glory.  The glory of God is never contained to a place of worship, rather all of our places and our activities must become places of and acts of worship.

This may all sound hyper-spiritual but it truly is practical.  Rather than asking yourself what you can get away with, ask "does this glorify God?"  Using this as the filter for your decision making will without a doubt help sanctify you and bring more joy, not less, into your life.

Ask the better question today.