Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. - 1 Corinthians 10:31
We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that all God created is good - “Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day - Genesis 1:31. If this is true, and when I ask “if” I mean it only rhetorically, why would anyone claim that we are not to enjoy God’s providence in our lives?
There are many religions (Islam, Mennonites, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Seventh-day Adventists, Mormons, and even some Baptists) who staunchly forbid many of life’s simple pleasures. From enjoying fine foods to drinking alcohol, to dancing, they all devoutly claim that God forbids these momentary worldly distractions. So what does the Bible say about these things?
Going back to 1 Corinthians 10 we read that Paul specifically states for the record - “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being. Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” - 1 Corinthians 10:23-26.
Obviously Paul isn’t suggesting that “all things” are lawful for us, but “all things (that are) lawful.” Certainly engaging in wanton and reckless debauchery was not what Paul was referring to. He was merely stating for the record that all things that were permitted him by his faith in Jesus Christ were lawful. Whether it be eating certain foods, enjoying an adult beverage or our conducting ourselves in the world we are to do whatever we do to glorify God!
Are we to grasp every chance to enjoy worldly pleasures? No more than we are to eat until we feel we are about to burst! Hedonism IS a sin! Remember the Westminster Catechism’s answer to its very first question: man’s chief end is to glorify God, and fully enjoy Him forever. Over-indulgence in any worldly thing can be both sinful (it doesn’t glorify God) and reckless, especially if the example we are setting makes a fellow Christian stumble in their progression (1 Corinthians 8:12).
God placed man on the earth to live and part of living is enjoying life just as part of living is dealing with trials and tribulations. When we are forced to endure troubles and Godly tests in this life we are to handle them the same way we handle our blessings: we are do all we do to the glory of God!
And to each of us whom persevere to the end in our walk with Christ, remember: “But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’” - 1 Corinthians 2:9. No, we don’t get to live our best life now, that will come to those who are glorified in heaven; but we can still responsibly enjoy the good blessings that God has provided for us in this world. May God’s providence always keep you joyful.
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