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Message “Coals of Fire” 1 Corinthians 10:31

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do. — These words embrace all life. The definite acts of eating and drinking are mentioned expressly as they are the subject immediately under consideration. They are, however, to be regulated by the same principle which guides all true life. The modern idea of some acts being religious and some secular is neither here nor elsewhere recognized by Paul. No act of life is in itself either religious or secular. The quality of each act depends on the spirit which guides it, and the motive from which it springs. A religious act done in a secular spirit is secular. A secular thing done in a religious spirit is religious. This is “the great first principle” of Christian life.

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

While studying the apostle Paul, one of my favorite subjects, I came across this passage again, which made me think of something that happened in Philadelphia many years ago. I was part of a group that was hired by local private high school to watch over the high school students outside during their lunch hour. I had been working there couple of weeks and a girl, one of the students, came up to me and asked me if she could talk to me. I of course said sure and she proceeded to tell me how she felt that one of the teachers was unfairly picking on her. To her it seemed like the teacher was constantly humiliating her, sending her to the office for disciplinary measures, and give your very low grades, although she felt that she did not deserve them. 

Then I remembered 1 Corinthians 10:31

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

    I asked her if she would like to know a way to get back at the nun and drive her crazy that the nun would not be able to do anything about but would probably drive her crazy. I told her actually it was the biblical way to do it. 

I told her to treat the teacher with total respect in a sincere manner, being polite, saying good morning when she first met her and have a nice day when she left. I also told her to do the very best work she could and always make sure that her assignments were on time. That would make sure that the teacher would not have any reason to pick on her. I felt this is what was meant by the Scripture. If we treat people with respect and Christian love it will “heap coals of fire” on their head. In other words you would accomplish two things. First you will remove any reason they may have for picking on you or treating you poorly and second they usually will feel guilty for the way they have treated you. She came to me a couple of weeks later and thanked me and told me that it really works that the teacher has actually been treating her pretty good recently.

What the girl did not realize is that she actually been switched into a lease. She had approached the class and school on a secular level or just doing what she had to get by. I showed her the way to do school or any other thing according to what Christ taught and that is what made the difference.

A Lesson from Life

A lot of us are prone to what we referred to as road rage. That feeling you get the just want to choke them in the name of Jesus and somebody cut you off or do some other stupid act on the road. I remember hearing the actual event from a friend of mine told me about the time somebody cut them off on the road and almost put them in the ditch for which you wanted to teach them a lesson. So we followed them to their home and upon speaking with them found out that they just came from the hospital where a very dear friend of theirs had just died. My friend told me how terrible this made him feel and that he would never forget the incident.

Romans 12: 19-21, says; 

 Never Take Your Own Revenge, Beloved, But Leave Room For The Wrath {Of God,} For It Is Written, “Vengeance Is Mine, I Will Repay,” Says The Lord. “But If Your Enemy Is Hungry, Feed Him, And If He Is Thirsty, Give Him A Drink; For In So Doing You Will Heap Burning Coals On His Head.” Do Not Be Overcome By Evil, But Overcome Evil With Good.

This not only applies in that situation but I think today it applies in everyday life. Whether it be someone at school, a boss, a co-worker, or in any other position where you deal with people. We must remember that as Christians we represent Christ.

Remember  –  “Your Life May Be The Only Bible Some People Read”