1 Corinthians (Written)

Friday, 4 July 2014

Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.1 Corinthians 6:18

Paul’s words concerning sexual immorality now result in a direct command – “Flee it!” No stronger words could be uttered. They are direct and specific. Based on what he has already said, and what he will say in the coming verses, this is something of the highest significance and importance. And he gives the reason why when he says that “every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.”

This is a tie directly back to what he said in the previous verse. We are united to Christ and are one with Him in spirit. Therefore, by sinning against our own body, we are sinning against Him directly. The concept of “body” here is inclusive of the entire man, not merely the flesh (as he pointed out in his note about “foods” earlier. Sexual sin is a direct sin against Jesus Christ because believers are “in” Jesus Christ. Let us consider this carefully as we conduct our lives.

It has been said that there is safety in numbers, but in the case of sexual immorality, there is greater safety in running away. This is what Joseph did when he was confronted by Potiphar’s wife. He knew that involvement with her was wrong. And that was at a time before the giving of the law. We have the lessons of the time of the law and we have the New Testament to guide us since the passing of the law. How can we believe we will escape judgment if we are caught up in sexual immorality?

Fleeing from such sin in this manner is imperative and it calls to mind James’ words in his epistle. In James 4:7 it says, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” We are to resist the devil, flee from sin, and submit to God. If we do these things, we will be sound in our faith and practice and we will stand approved in our conduct.

Life application: Thoughts lead to action and therefore we should always endeavor to control our thoughts concerning sinful practices. The Bible asks us to rather “fix our thoughts on Jesus” (Hebrews 3:1).  By doing so, we will keep from getting side-swiped by the devil and finding ourselves in an unhappy position.

Heavenly Father, You direct us to flee from sin such as sexual immorality and idolatry. But even our thoughts are captured by these things at times. Help us to fix our thoughts on Jesus, direct our eyes to Him, and to be obedient to Your word. This is a tough world to walk in and it is getting more so each day. Give us wisdom to control our eyes and our desires and to live lives which are holy and honoring to You. Amen.

Thursday, 3 July 2014

But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 1 Corinthians 6:17

We are shown that the bond between a man and a woman who are united in marriage is likened to our union with Christ. Paul said in the previous verse that the two “become one flesh.” In a similar manner, but on a spiritual level, “he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.” The words “with Him” are inserted for clarity, but the Greek actually says, “one spirit is.” There is a spiritual connection to each believer that is realized when they receive Jesus Christ as Lord.

In this verse then is not only the establishment of the concept of oneness in spirit, but the truth that because we are one in spirit, our actions now truly affect that bond. This is why Paul is so adamant about our rejection of sexual immorality. To engage in perverse acts after being saved is to do so when united to Christ. Paul is asking them to seriously think this through from the eternal perspective.

But there is also one other point of doctrine which is implicitly upheld by this very verse; the doctrine of eternal salvation. If we are joined to the Lord in this way, then it becomes apparent that our salvation must be eternal. If we engage in a perverse act, such as adultery, and it is something that affects our union with Christ, then it must be that the union with Christ is maintained despite the fault. Otherwise, Paul would have noted it as a warning that the bond would be severed. However, nowhere is that concept even hinted at. Thank God for what Jesus has done. We continue to be saved, despite ourselves.

In his ever-consistent way of describing our union with Christ, we see that Paul speaks of it elsewhere. Here a two examples from the book of Galatians –

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Galatians 3:17

Life application. We are one with the Lord in spirit. He lives in us and we have put Him on as our garment of righteousness. Let us attempt to always live up to that glorious position. He is holy and so let us act in holiness as well.

With Christ I too have been crucified
It is no longer I who live but He
When I called on Him, at that moment I died
And the life I now live is one in Him, eternally

I now live by faith in the Son of God
Who loved me and gave Himself for me
Help me Lord, in Your steps always to trod
And to reflect in You a life which is pure and holy

For surely into Christ I was baptized
And in Him is eternal life realized

Father of glory, I know that through Christ my Lord I am again united to You. And yet at times I find myself falling very short of this high and exalted position. My thoughts and actions belie the Name which I now bear and it grieves me when they do. So Lord, keep reminding me, nudging me, and guiding me. Help me to walk in paths of righteousness and to bring honor to You. Amen.

Wednesday, 2 July 2014

Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” 1 Corinthians 6:16

So far, Paul has argued against sexual immorality from several different perspectives. Now in verse 6:16, he reaches back to the very first account of man on earth from Genesis 2. God intended for man to have a partner and he intended for them to be united in a way which was unique to humanity. As it said in Genesis 2 after naming all the animals God created, “But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.”

And so, God created a woman for the man. In their union, the two “shall become one flesh.” Paul has just said to those in Corinth (and thus to us) “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not!” His words are built upon the thought that we are “in” Christ. Therefore, when we unite in an immoral way, we are defiling the very bond in which we exist by bringing into it an act which is wholly ungodly and immoral.

Such is the case when a man unites with a harlot. Considering this, how reprehensible are such acts in any other form – homosexuality, bestiality, etc? God has ordained the parameters of sex and he has written it on our hearts. To attempt to justify sexual sin in any way is to “suppress” the knowledge that God has given us. Paul lays this out in Romans 1:1. There can be no excuse for such acts, and yet they are often what seem to define us as humans. Our fallen, corrupt nature makes us yearn for the profane and the perverse. The remedy is Jesus. We are to fix our eyes and our thoughts on Him and we are to be obedient to the word He has given.

Life application: Sexual sins are no less consuming of our minds and thoughts than drug or alcohol addictions. They can fill us with great anguish and turmoil. This leaves us with real choices, just as the other addictions. We can hold on to Christ, being obedient to His word, or we can allow ourselves to let the flesh take over. Hold firm to the Lord. If you are “in” Him, then He will strengthen you for the battle you face.

Lord God, it seems as though every day my thoughts come against me, tempting me to fall into some pit that I desire to stay out of. They attempt to direct my feet down dark paths and across difficult and painful terrain. Help me to fix my eyes on Jesus in these times. Raise the valleys and level the mountains, Lord, so that I can see Him as I avoid the pits, walk the straight highway, and tread on a smooth surface right into His loving arms. Thank You for hearing me. Amen.

Tuesday, 1 July 2014

 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! 1 Corinthians 6:15

“Do you not know” is Paul’s rhetorical way of saying, “You should certainly know…” It is an obvious truth that anyone who has called on Christ should know what he will now state. It shouldn’t take any additional reflection or consideration. He is relaying now a thought based on his previous statement of verse 14 which said, “And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power.”

If God will raise us up by His power because of the work of Christ, then we must be “members of Christ.” It should be a self-evident fact to the believer. And because it is, he asks another rhetorical question, “Shall I then take the members of Christ (meaning “my” members because I am united to Christ) and make them members of a harlot?” The question begs a negative response!

Harlotry has no place within Christianity and is used by Paul as an all-encompassing term for any sexual immorality. The Bible allows one type of sex and that is between a man and a woman within the bonds of marriage. Anything else is a perversion of this. A harlot not only engages in sex with many partners, but she does so for pay. And this was commonly connected to religious rites. Because of this, Paul uses harlotry as the premier example of sexual immorality.

By engaging in sex with a harlot, we are uniting that which is sacred and set apart to God with that which is profane and opposed to God! As Ellicott notes, “The double act of taking them away from their glorious union with Christ, and joining them to a base body, is implied in the Greek.” It is a double-slap in the face of that which is upright and acceptable for the Christian.

Life application: Although Paul is speaking of sexual immorality, we should consider every action we take in life in conjunction with our spiritual connection to Christ. David, in the Psalms says, “I will set nothing wicked before my eyes…” Isn’t this the right, noble, and honorable path to follow in all things. Let us “fix our eyes on Jesus” and not on that which is base and inglorious.

Heavenly Father, I know that where my eyes rest my thoughts will follow. Be they my physical or my spiritual eyes, when I look at something profane, my thoughts will turn to the profane. When I fix my eyes on Jesus, my thoughts will be directed to Him. Help me to follow the advice of the psalms and “set nothing wicked before my eyes.” Give me the hunger and desire to know You, to seek You, and to focus my eyes upon You. With this, I will be an acceptable jar, ready for Your filling. Amen.

30 June 2014

And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power. 1 Corinthians 6:14

In complete and absolute support that sexual immorality is not to be condoned, Paul now ties his discussion in with the resurrection of Christ. It is Paul’s way of saying, “Think!” In the last verse, he said, “Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.” To make this so obvious that anyone should see the importance of the matter, he next says, “And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power.”

He has tied our lives in with the perfect, sinless, Son of God. Because He was found without sin, He was raised to life; death has no power over Him. It was “not possible that He should be held by it” (Acts 2:24). This is the basis on which He was raised. If sin were found in Him, He would not have been qualified for the resurrection. And it too is the only basis for our resurrection. It is not because we are sinless in and of ourselves, but because we are sinless “in” Christ. That means “right now.” That means we are “right now” connected to Him.

As this is true, then engaging in sexual immorality among believers is to abuse our granted position and to hold in contempt that which is sacred – the only tie that we have for our granting of eternal life. Paul will continue with this thought in the coming verses, but 1 Corinthians 6:14 should be enough to wake up any sleeper and open their eyes to the truth that sexual immorality is not to be engaged in or tolerated.

Life application: We are “in” Christ. We are united to Him and sealed with the Holy Spirit. Is it a light thing that we would so misuse our position in Him that we would excuse voluntary sin? Let it never be so!

Heavenly Father, when I received Christ, I received a new position and a new standing with You. And yet, at times I fall and act as if I’m in my old self. What a tarnishing of the honor I have been bestowed and that I bear! Forgive me for returning to my old self and help me to continue to live in and for Christ in a manner worthy of that high and exalted state. This I pray… help me in my weakness. Amen.