The 10:31 Principle

I Corinthians 10:31; Hebrews 10:31: "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God . . . . It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of a living God."


I believe that we as mortal human beings quickly are able to see that we are not the center of the universe. We did not create the magnificent display of creation around us, nor do we have the innate ability to sustain its existence. The Holy Scriptures tell us that the Lord Jesus Christ created all things and continues to sustain all things by His powerful Word (Hebrews 1:2-3). And as the Sovereign Lord over all things, Jesus Christ is worthy and able to expect that all of His creation give Him praise for His Lordship. Interestingly most of His creation, albeit suffering the curse of God due to the cosmic treason of sin by mankind (Romans 8:20), continues to praise the Lord throughout the heavens (Psalm 19:1). It is mankind that is the anamoly in perpetuating a sinful, rebellious spirit against God by pursuing self and its appetites above the Lord.


When we begin to reflect upon the notion that we were created by the Sovereign Lord of Hosts, we should respond with humility, worship, and obedience. Rather than exalting our own selves as preeminent in the universe (a most absurd conclusion!), we are called to surrender ourselves to the One True Lord and serve Him exclusively and faithfully. Scripture regularly uses the imagery of slavery to denote our position before the Lord. He is our Master, and we are His servants, summoned to obey and glorify Him.

Amazingly, what we find wonderfully displayed in the portrait of the believers' lives is the beauty of fulfillment that only God can bring to us. Our Lord has created us with a void of which only He can satisfy. This is why for us to submit to His yoke of submission is not burdensome but wonderful, fulfilling, easy, and light (Matthew 11:30).


The I Corinthians passage cited above tells us that in all areas of our lives, we are to do all things for God's glory. He is our Rightful Regent, Sovereign over all things. Nothing can thwart His purposes (see Isaiah 43:13). While the Lord desires that we would respond to His prompting to follow Him as our King, still, He gives us the choice to surrender or reject His offering of intimate fellowship with Him. For those who would reject Jesus as Lord, the Scriptures remind us that the dread of a Living God and His wrath awaits them. The Chief Cornerstone will either be the Foundation for Life and Blessing to those who yield themselves to Christ or the Weapon of Destruction to crush those who would defy Him as Master and Lord (see I Peter 2:4-8).

Let us never forget the awesome reality that God's grace offered through Jesus Christ ultimately redeems us from God's judgment. Yes! God's death and resurrection is offered to each of us sinners to protect us from God's Holiness! May we never forsake this offering, for the Scriptures are so telling . . . "it is a DREADFUL thing to fall into the hands of (THE) LIVING GOD."