31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Is it possible to sin to the glory of God? I don’t think so! We must all make choices about our activities. One of the ways to measure those choices is to ask whether this choice will glorify God. If it will glorify God, then we can ask if it negatively affects other believers and non-believers. And what is the affect on our spiritual growth. Part of the message of Paul in this passage is that our actions have consequences. What we do with our lives, our choices, effect ourselves and others. There are no neutral choices. Choices open doors and close doors to future possibilities. If I had not gone to college, I would not be able to be involved where I am now. That choice would have prevented many individual and collective events in my life. And I have no idea what the life following that choice to not go to college would have looked like. All I know is that it would have been very different. Choices made every day change the present and the future. They form part of what will be in eternity. I continue to choose not to indulge in alcohol because drinking has caused me to stumble. My life without alcohol is much more focused on eternity than a life with alcohol. I choose not to drink so that God is glorified in my sober life. I choose to have a regular devotional life in order to prepare myself for life and for future ministry opportunities. I choose to have conversations with my wife in order to deepen our relationship of almost thirty years. I choose to be involved in a local church to build a safety net of support. Take a few moments and think about your weaknesses. What can you do today, right now, to protect you from you?
The Arnold Journey 