[:en]LAWSUITS AMONG BELIEVERS (vs. 1-11)
Paul taught the congregation to settle disagreement among believers and not in front of unbelievers. The legal system that handles disagreement in the society is resolved in secular court. But Christians do not have to go to a secular court to resolve their differences. As christians, we have the Holy Spirit and the mind of Christ, so why should we turn in to those who lack God’s wisdom? Believers are given the authority to judge the angels in the future. So we must be able to deal with disputes among ourselves. Chrisiian should not file a case against each other in court because the motive is for revenge. This will make the image of the church bad in the eyes of unbelievers.
Paul described those who continually indulge in sin of homosexuality, greed, drunkeness, drinking, swindling with no sign of remorse will not inherit the kingdom of God. We must not condone nor participate any kind of sin. All sins are not acceptable to God because He has high standard for His followers. God saves us thrugh 3 aspects. We are washed, sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the spirit of our God.
SEXUAL IMMORALITY (vs. 12-20)
Paul explained the misconception of “Everything is permissible for me” meaning I am allowed to do anything. Some Christians reasoned that since Christ had taken away all sins, therefore, they had complete freedom to do and live as they pleased. But Paul refuted their excuses: The washing away of our sins does not give us freedom to do what is wrong. The Scripture forbids many sins. And although some actions are not sinful in themselves but they can control our lives and lead us away from God while other actions may hurt others. Human beings are a combination of body and spirit. If we commit sin in our bodies, it will damage our souls because our bodies and souls are inseparably joined.
Christians have freedom from sin and guilt and the freedom to use and enjoy anything that comes from God. But we are not to abuse this freedom. Drinking too much leads to alcoholism and glutony leads to obesity. So, do not let your enjoyment become a bad habit that controls you.
Paul emphasized the teaching about sexual immorality in Corinthian church because the temple of Aphrodite (goddess of love) was in Corinth. This temple employed more than a thousand prostitutes as priestesses and sex was part of their worship ritual. Paul stated that Christians had no part in sexual immorality even it is acceptable and popular in their culture.
God created sex to be a beautiful and essential element of marriage. But sexual sins had the power to destroy our lives both physical and spiritual. It hurts God and others. It ruins relationship, divide families and affect couintless lives, churches and communities.
When we become Christians, the Holy Spirit comes to live in us. Therefore, we no longer own our bodies because God had bought us with a high price. Christ’s death has freed us from sin and also obligated us to follow His standard of living. Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, therefore, we have to honor God with our body.[:]