Our actions in life are often driven by our goals and motives. This is mostly because goals and motives give us a sense of purpose and fulfilment in the actions we pursue. The truth is, a life without purpose, and fulfilment is one that is filled with vanity and emptiness. Hence, goals and motives can be identified as the key determinants of a person’s actions in life; whether the actions will result in destructions or be a blessing.

For a believer in Christ, the ultimate goal or motive for a purpose-driven and fulfilled life is to always aim to bring God the glory in all that we do. A life that is driven to bring God glory always results in being a blessing to oneself and others.

Paul’s admonition in 1 Corinthians 10:31 to the church in Corinth and to all of us in the body of Christ is to gear all our actions to bring God glory.

“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God”

1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV

In this text, Paul is addressing the issue of idol worship in the church of Corinth. In the city of Corinth, it was a part of their culture to offer their foods sold in the market to idols. The believers in the Church of Corinth were struggling to reconcile whether it was sinful to eat the foods offered to idols or not. While some believers trusted that God has sanctified all things, including the food, others abstained from the food as eating such foods defiled their conscience as being unfaithful to God. To help bring resolution to this issue, Paul wrote to the church of Corinth that the key is to focus on glorifying God in their eating, drinking and all that they do. Motive or goal is vital in the actions a person takes, Paul realizes that if the people of God can set their hearts on glorifying God, this will impact their actions. Further, Paul adds that if eating the food offered to idols is offensive to others, they should abstain from it as it a loving thing to do for their brothers and sisters in Christ.

Beloved in Christ as we can see in 1 Corinthians 10:31, even the menial things such as eating or drinking ought to be the glory of God. As believers, the central focus of everything about our being and doing (daily actions, jobs, breathing, smiling, all things) should always be to bring God glory. When God’s glory is the goal, it automatically informs our hearts and minds to ensure that our actions should be in alignment with God’s will, word and ways. God’s glory drives us to be in faithful obedience to God which manifests through our actions by loving others as Christ loves us.

The Westminster Shorter Catchesim states that “What is the chief end of man?” and the catechist responded, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.” To live life to solely bring glory to God does not mean a life that lacks spontaneity, creativity and joy. In fact, living to God’s glory is full of spontaneity, creativity and immense joy. David said in Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence, there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. A life that brings glory to God is a life which is lived in the enjoyment and faithful service to God, which exalts and magnifies God. When we live for God’s glory, God is revealed through us, and others can bear witness of His goodness, faithfulness, love and the fullness of God.

Here are three (3) scriptures that hones the importance to live for God’s glory.

We are created for God’s Glory

¹⁶ For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or ^[a]principalities or ^[b]powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

Colossians 1:16 NKJV

We are saved for God’s glory

For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body ^[a]and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Corinthians 6:20 NKJV

We are called to Ministry for God’s glory

¹¹ If anyone speaks, let him speak as the ^[a]oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the ^[b]dominion forever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:11 NKJV

In all as the beloved of the Lord, everything we are to be and do is and should be for God’s glory. I pray that the Holy Spirit will empower and guide us to set our minds and hearts to always glorify God as it is out of this which will flow the actions of our lives. May God bless you all and always remember that Jesus Christ dearly loves you for He gave His life for you.