1 Corinthians 6 -- Sexual Sin

My commentary says that in Corinth, sexual laxness resulted from a philosophy much like we hear today:  “Sex is a normal physical function, so why not use it as you please?”

In verse 11, Paul said, “In the past, some of you were like that.”  The grace of God was present and working in their church, and God had already changed some people’s hearts and lives.  The verse continues, “But you were washed clean.  You were made holy and you were made right with God in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.”  It says that the tense of these verbs indicates a completed transaction.  Those whom God had radically changed were not thrown out of the church.  God had restored them and cleansed them and made them useful to Himself and His purposes and will.  That was important for those to see who were still practicing sexual immorality.  They needed to understand that their current practice was driving them away from God.  It wouldn’t be their admission of their sins that would.  They also couldn’t claim that God had given them their desires and therefore they could give into them and always satisfy them.  Again their supposed “wisdom” was taking them far from God.

For us today, perhaps the best way to insure each day that we do not fall in their area is to do what my commentary suggested:  “If you begin each day by surrendering your body to Christ, it will make a great deal of difference in what you do with your body during the day.”

So why is all of this highly personal stuff so important?  “The conduct of individual members affects the spiritual life of the entire church … We are not our own.  We belong to the Father who made us, the Son who redeemed us, and the Spirit who indwells us.  We also belong to the people of God, the church, and our sins can weaken the testimony and infect the fellowship.”

Father, through Your Holy Spirit, please help me to keep my desires in check.  Guide all of my thoughts and help me not to stray into mental areas that are not good for me.  No matter how appealing it may seem, remind me that I am Yours.  I’ve been bought with a price, so why should I have to worry about living with the consequences of forgiven sin.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford