2022-01-01
1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV
In 1643, the Houses of Parliament ended the existing system of government in the Church of England, and an assembly of people was called to Westminster Abbey to rebuild the English church. One of the first questions asked in the documents that came out of that assembly was ‘What is the chief end of man?’ In other words, ‘What’s our purpose?’ And the answer: ‘To glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.’ It’s such a simple and, at the same time, such a powerful question and answer. It’s as true today as it was centuries ago. And it’s something we should set as the blueprint for our lives this coming year. Glorify God. Obey God. Enjoy God.
When we know our lives are glorifying God, we enjoy His presence, but when we know they aren’t, we tend to avoid Him. And that’s bad, because without God’s presence in our life, our chance of living successfully in the things that really matter and in God’s eyes isn’t good.
As we look back on last year, there might be things we regret because we know that God wasn’t glorified in them. But God’s giving us a new year, a new opportunity to make changes and do things differently. We might find it helpful to make New Year’s resolutions to help us stay focused on our goals, but we need to base every one of them on this verse from the Bible: ‘Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.’ If we make that our foundation and stick to it, we’ll stay on the right path, and we’ll have the peace and joy of knowing our lives are pleasing to God.
Rom 13:12-14:19; John 1:1-14
1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV
In 1643, the Houses of Parliament in England abolished the Episcopal system of government in the Church of England. An assembly of one hundred twenty-one ministers and thirty laypersons was called to Westminster Abbey to rebuild the English church. The documents coming out of that six-year assembly are some of the most famous in church history. The first question in the Shorter Westminster Catechism reads, “What is the chief end of man?” Answer: “To glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.”
The implications of that question and answer are profound in their simplicity. And if you’re wise, you will make them a blueprint for your life this coming year. Glorify God. Obey God. Enjoy God. When you know your life is glorifying God, you enjoy His presence, but when you know your life is not glorifying God, you tend to avoid Him. And that’s bad, because without God’s presence in your life, what are your chances of true success? Not good!
As you look back on last year, are there things you regret because you know that God was not glorified in them? Well, God is giving you a new year to do things differently. And if you’re making New Year’s resolutions, base every one of them on the foundation of this Scripture: “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” If you follow that rule, you will stay on the right path, and you will have the peace and joy of knowing your life is pleasing to the Lord. Whatever circumstances may arise, you will face them with peace and confidence, knowing that God is with you.
Soul food: Rom 13:12-14:19; John 1:1-14
1 Korintiërs 10:31 NLV
In 1643 het die parlement in Engeland die Anglikaanse regeringstelsel in die Kerk van Engeland afgeskaf. ‘n Vergadering van honderd-en-twintig dominees en dertig leke is na die Westminster Abdy opgeroep om die Engelse kerk te herbou. Die dokumente wat uit daardie ses jaar lange vergadering voortgekom het, is van die bekendstes in die geskiedenis van die kerk. Die eerste vraag in die Korter Westminster Kategismus lees as volg: ‘Wat is die mens se hoofdoel?’ Antwoord: ‘Om God te verheerlik en Hom vir altyd te geniet.’
Die implikasies van daardie vraag en die antwoord daarop is diepgaande in hulle eenvoud. As jy wys is, sal jy dit ‘n bloudruk vir jou lewe hierdie komende jaar maak. Verheerlik God. Gehoorsaam God. Geniet God. Wanneer jy weet dat jou lewe God verheerlik, geniet jy sy teenwoordigheid, maar wanneer jy weet dat jou lewe God nie verheerlik nie, is jy geneig om Hom te vermy. Dis sleg, want wat is jou kans op ware sukses sonder God se teenwoordigheid in jou lewe? Nie goed nie!
Soos jy terugkyk op verlede jaar, is daar dinge waaroor jy spyt is omdat jy weet dat God nie daardeur verheerlik is nie? Wel, God gee jou ‘n nuwe jaar om dinge anders te doen. Indien jy nuwejaarsvoornemens maak, moet jy hulle op die fondasie van hierdie Skrifgedeelte baseer: ‘Wat julle ook al eet of drink of wat julle ook al doen, doen alles tot eer van God.’ As jy hierdie reël volg, sal jy op die regte pad bly en sal jy vrede en vreugde hê in die wete dat jou lewe die Here behaag. Maak nie saak watter omstandighede mag voorkom nie, jy sal hulle met vrede en selfvertroue in die gesig kan staar, omdat jy weet dat God by jou is.
Sielskos: Rom 13:12-14:19; Joh 1:1-14
