1 Corinthians 6:1-20
Wednesday, 3 August 2022
“But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him.” – 1 Corinthians 6:17
Often it is commented about newly married couple that they are “made for each other.” It is true, since the Bible portrays the man and woman joined through the covenant of marriage as “one body.” God said it in Genesis 2:24, Jesus quoted it in Matt.19:5 and Paul endorsed it in Ephesians 5:31. The sanctity of marriage and the seriousness of the responsibility that each of the covenant participant takes up, are based on the solemn picture provided by God! To approach marriage from any other basis makes that relationship vulnerable because God’s Word is the absolute standard for life! When this basis is accepted, then we have a reference to deal with the issues in married life.
The union of a man and woman through marriage is compared to the union of Christ and Church in Eph.5:32 and between a believer and Christ in 1Cor.6:17. If this is accepted, then the basis of evaluation of a believer’s life will be the Word of God!
In the epistle written to the Church in Corinth, Paul deals with several issues of daily living and admonishes the believers on the basis of God’s standards given in His word. Paul uses very sharp language to deal with irregularities. Our reading today deals with two areas namely – handling disputes between brothers and indulgent life style. Verses 1-11 deals with disputes with another believer and verses 12 -20 deal with violation of God’s intended purpose for the body. The Corinthians believed that their physical activities do not affect their spiritual life! Therefore they justified their sinful lifestyles i.e. eating to the point of gluttony and immorality. God has put restrictions on both eating and sexual activity, therefore any behavior that violates God’s intent is sinful.
In our key verse today the focus is our union with Christ. Once we understand that we are ultimately created to be united with Jesus Christ, we would be able to conduct our lives accordingly. IT IS AN APPEAL TO ALL BELIEVERS AT ALL TIMES THAT THEY RESPECT THE CREATOR’S INTENT FOR THEIR LIVES AND LIVE ACCORDINGLY!!! Romans 8:29 states that we are already designed to reflect the image of Jesus Christ! Further in 1 Cor.6:14 it says that we are intended to be raised up with Christ (in the same manner as Christ was resurrected!) Philippians 3:21 says that our bodies are designed to be transformed into conformity with the body of Jesus’ glory. 1Cor.15:49 assures us that we will bear the image of Jesus Christ! Again 1 John3:2 affirms us that we will be like Him!!
Our daily living shall be directed by 1Cor.6:12, which states that all things are not profitable for us, although we may seem able to do many things!! The NKJV Study Bible explains that “All things are lawful for me,“ was a slogan coined by the Corinthians to justify their immoral behavior. When we become the moral standard for ourselves, error seems justified. That is the pathetic condition of humanity now! Same sex marriage is acceptable! Divorce is normal life!! Coming under the God-given authority of the husband is mocked at! Yet people think they are acceptable to God and are going to make it to heaven! 1Cor6:9 is very clear in stating that “the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God.” A long list follows, which beyond any doubt draws our attention to the divine standard of acceptance.
1Cor.6:12 gives the way for our victory “…I will not be mastered by anything.” When we understand the mystery of being united with Jesus Christ, then we will not /cannot be mastered by anything else.
May the Holy Spirit help you understand that you are made for the Lord!!
Think on: “For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26 NLT)
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