All of us makes hundreds of choices everyday. Most choices have no right or wrong attached to them--- like what you wear or what you eat. But we always face decissions that carry a little more weight. We don't want to do wrong, and we don't want othes to do wrong, so how can we make such decission ?
If I choose one course of action:
... does it help my witness for Christ ?
Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law(though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law(though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 1 Corinthians 9:19-22
Paul gives several important principles for ministry:
(1) Find common ground with those you contact
(2) Avoid a know- it all attitude,
(3) Make others feel accepted:
(4) Be sensitive to their needs and concerns; and
(5) Look for opportunities to tell them about Christ.
This principles are just as valid for us as they were for Paul.
... am I motivated by desire to help others to know Christ ?
I do all this for the sake of the Gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 1 Corinthians 9:23
Even as I try to please everybody in everyway. For I am not seeking my own good but of many, so that they may be saved. 1 Corinthians 10:33
Why did Paul say, "Follow my example"? Paul wasn't being arrogant--- he did not think himself as sinless. At this time, however, the christian believers did not know much about the life and ministry of Christ. Paul could not tell them to imitate Jesus, because the Gospels had not yet been written, so they did not know what Jesus was like. The best way to point this new Christians to Christ was to point them to a Christian whom they trusted. Paul had been in Corinth for almost two years and had built a relationship of trust with many of these believers.
... does it help me do my best ?
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 1 Corinthians 9:25
At times we must even give up something good in order to do what God wants. Each person's special duties determine the descipline and denial that he or she must accept. Without a goal, discipline is nothing but self punishment. With the goal of pleasing God, our denial seems like nothing compare to the eternal, imperishable reward that will be ours.
... is it against a specific command in Scripture and would thus cause me to sin ?
So If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12
Today's pressures make it easy to ignore or forget the lessons of the past, But Paul cautions us to remember the lessons the Israelites learned about God so we can avoid repeating their errors. The key to remembering is to study the Bible regularly so that this lessons reminds us of how God wants us to live. We need not repeat their mistakes !
... is it the best and the most beneficial course of action ?
"Everything is permissible"--- but not everything is beneficial. 1 Corinthians 10:23
Sometimes it's hard to know when to defer to the weaker believer. Paul gives a simple rule of thumb to help in making a decission----- we should be sensitive and gracious. While some actions may not be wrong, they may not be in the best interest of others, While we have freedom in Christ, We shouldn't exercise our freedom at the cost of hurting a Christian brother and sister. We are not to consider ourselves, but we must be sensitive to others.
... am I only thinking of myself, or do I truly care about the other person ?
Noboby should seek his own good, but the good of others. 1 Corinthians 10:24
... am I acting loving or selfishly ?
But if anyone says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, both for the man who told you and for conscience sake-------the other man conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judge by anothe's conscience ? If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for ? So wether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the Glory of the God. 1 Corinthians 10:28-31
Why shoul we be limited by another person's conscience ? Simply because we are to do all things for God's Glory, even our eating or drinking. Nothing we do should cause another believer to stumble. We do what is best for others, so that they might be saved. On the other hand Christian should not make a carrer out of being the weaker person with oversensitive consciences. Christian leaders and teachers should carefully teach about the freedom we have matters not expressly forbidden by Scriptures.
... does it Glorify God ?
... will it cause someone else to sin ?
Do not cause anyone to stumble, wether Jews, Greeks or the church of God. 1 Corinthians 10:32
God's Love must so permeate our motives that all we do will be for His Glory, Keep this as a guiding principle by asking, "Is this action Glorifying God ?" or "How can I honor God through this action?"
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