(23) All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. (24) Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. (25) Whatsoever is sold in the meat market, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: (26) For the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof. (27) If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. (28) But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that showed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof: (29) Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? (30) For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? (31) Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (32) Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: (33) Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
I do not think it necessary to detain the Reader with any particular observations on those verses. everything in them is plain, and obvious. But I would just remark, what a blessed frame of mind, that regenerated child of God must be in, who can always keep in view, and through grace act upon it, what the Apostle hath said, in a general comprehensive manner, of all actions. Whatsoever we do, whether we eat or drink, to do all to the glory of God. This, if followed, would make our most ordinary meals carry with them a savoriness that would be sacramental. And very certain it is, that many a blessed believer, from the unction of the Holy Ghost, enjoys more of Jesus at his own table, than all unregenerated persons do of Jesus at the Lord's table. And it must be so. For how shall a soul unawakened, bear and know the joyful sound? How shall a soul dead in trespasses and sins, perform a living act of faith upon a living Savior, or spiritually eat of the body and blood of Christ? But he that bottoms everything upon Christ, makes Christ what Jehovah hath made him, the first and the last, the Author and Finisher of salvation: this truly regenerated believer hath God's glory in view, in all the acts of providence and grace; in ordinances, and all the means of social and godly life. This is what the Apostle elsewhere calls, the knowledge of the love of Christ, which passeth all understanding, and being filled with all the fulness of God, Ephesians 3:19.