SCRIPTURE: 1 CORINTHIANS 6
BIBLE VERSES:
“Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church? I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers!” (1 Corinthians 6:4-6)
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.” (1Corinthians 6:12)
“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Corinthians 6:18-20)
LAWSUITS AMONG BELIEVERS (vs. 1-11)
The Corinthians believers lost their testimony by taking each other to court before the pagan judges. Paul was asking them these questions:
- Why do you take a dispute with one another before the ungodly instead of before the saints for judgment (v. 1)
- Do you not know the saints will judge the world? (v. 2)
- Do you not know that we will judge the angels? (v. 3)
- Is there nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? (v. 5)
- Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? (v. 7)
- Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? (v. 9)
SEXUAL IMMORALITY (vs. 12-20)
When we become followers of Christ, we are members of Christ himself. We are united with the Lord in spirit. Therefore, flee from sexual immorality because he who sins sexually sins against his own body. As a believer, we are bought at a price. Therefore, we must honor God with our body.
THOUGHTS:
- Christians in Corinth were carnal. They lacked spiritual vision and wisdom. That is why the church was split into many factions. Fellow brethren brought their lawsuits to court to be judged by the unbelievers. Paul admonished them to settle their disputes among themselves. Christians should be able to deal with dispute among ourselves rather than spread before the unsaved judge bringing shame to Christ’s name.
- “Christian liberty” is not a license to do what you please. It is the freedom for you to do what God pleases. You are free from rules and regulations but not free to sin. For liberty to sin is the worst kind of liberty.
- When one becomes a Christian, he is a member of Christ’s body. His body is no longer his; it belongs to Christ. He is to glorify God with his body. Sexual sins are sins against Christ, against the Spirit and against ourselves. Instead, we must be care to take good care of our body for God’s glory.