June 7, 1 Corinthians 6
Are you discouraged about the state of civilization, about our society and the way people live today? It’s been like this a long time, but Jesus’ disciples are called to live in stark contrast to the world.
Paul’s instruction about not taking one another to court is counter-cultural in today’s litigious society. People are quick to sue over real or imagined wrongs. The advice to suffer wrong rather than go to court sounds foolish to people obsessed with their rights. Paul said it was shameful for members of God’s family to take disputes over minor matters to the public courts. Whether they won or lost the case, Paul said they were already defeated if they went to court. Someone among our spiritual siblings should be wise enough to address internal grievances.
Could an unscrupulous swindler, posing as a Christian, defraud a fellow Christian and get away with it? Paul said they weren’t going to get away with anything. Those brash enough to cheat and hide behind this paragraph need to read the next one. Paul said swindlers, as well as other rebels, would not inherit the kingdom of God. We have sins in our past that make us unclean, profane and unfit for God’s presence. But the amazing power of the name of Jesus and the Sprit of the Lord will cleanse us, set us apart and redeem us. After the list, Paul said “And such were some of you,” (past tense). Grace frees us to live a godly life. It does not grant a license for ungodliness.
There’s a higher purpose in life than gratifying desires. Our bodies were created to glorify God, not to be enslaved by fleshly appetites. Is sexual temptation the most dangerous kind? Sometimes we are counseled to resist, or stand or fight against Satan’s schemes—but against this powerful seduction, Paul’s recommended strategy is “Flee from sexual immorality.” The stakes are too high to misjudge your power to resist; so run away. God invented sexuality and made it a blessing for husbands and wives to share. Outside of marriage, the blessing is perverted into a curse. A Christian is united with Christ as a member of his body. It is unthinkable to join one in the body of Christ to another in an illicit sexual union. A Christian at Corinth who had sexual relations with an idol temple prostitute dishonored the body of Christ and his own body. We need to hear this in a culture that denies there is any shame or sin in promiscuous behavior.
In this personal matter, we may resist, saying, “It’s nobody’s business what I do with my body.” Perhaps you’ve said it, or heard others say it. Paul closed this call to purity with a reminder that it is God’s business what a Christian does with his or her body. His spirit dwells in us. We do not belong to ourselves; we have been bought at the high price of the blood of Jesus Christ.
From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide for Your Journey Through the New Testament,
Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today in God's Word—June 2024
East Tallassee Church of Christ
Commentaires