1 Corinthians – Chapter 6

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12 – Apparently the church in Corinth had taken a very “grace-filled” approach to their way of handling sin within their lives, especially sins of sexual immorality. This phrase, “All things are lawful for me,” was being used in the church to justify their lifestyle of allowing sinful practices to remain in their life despite being followers of Jesus. They knew the truth that Jesus has completely paid for their sin and washed them clean. They knew that nothing in all creation could separate them from the love of God, even their sin couldn’t do that anymore. They were covered by the grace of God, yet all that knowledge led them to believe they could then do whatever they wanted. Sin wasn’t going to send them to Hell anymore nor end their relationship with God, so they did what they wanted because it was “lawful” for them to do since they weren’t under the Old Testament law anymore. Paul though is challenging this way of thinking. Yes, as a believer you are free in Christ, and yes you are not under the law anymore, and yes sin isn’t going to send you to Hell anymore, but that doesn’t mean sin should be a part of your life. Instead of asking, “Can I do this sin without losing my salvation,” ask, “Is this sin something that will help my walk with God and fulfill the mission He’s called me to in this life?” The answer to that second question will certainly cut the sinful things from your life. For us today understand that if you have chosen to follow Jesus you are free in Christ, you don’t have to worry about the sins you commit today jeopardizing your eternal security or relationship with Jesus. That doesn’t mean though sin is harmless to your life and that Jesus is fine with sin being in your story. Sin and the enemy is still out to kill, steal, and destroy, and while your eternity is secure in Jesus your life on earth can still be destroyed by sinful choices. Use the freedom you have with sin to choose not to sin so you can be living a life that is honoring to the Savior who died so you could be free from sin. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3113

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God. You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (v.19-20) Your actions no longer reflect just you. Your words no longer represent just you. Your lifestyle no longer just identifying you. Your life as a whole is no longer just affecting you. When you choose to carry the name of Jesus on your life, you reflect, represent, identify, and affect Him with every part of your life. You are one with Him. You are not your own anymore. You have someone close to you that is being depicted to the world by your words and actions. When you carry the name of Jesus, you aren’t just representing yourself anymore, you’re telling the world who Jesus is by every part of your life. You are called to give God a good representation to the world. That when those around you see you, hear you, spend time with you, and learn about you, they understand who God really is all due to them getting to know you. Be careful what you do with your life and the image it is casting. You are no longer just letting the world know who you are, you’re letting the world know who Christ is. If you’re not careful, you can give a horrible image of who God is just by the way you are living your life. By your life, you could actually push someone so far away from God that they would never want to start a relationship with Him. Is that the sort of story you want your life to tell? Or do you want your story to be one that is attracting people to Jesus? Make a choice and begin living that choice out. Your body, your life, is a gift from God to carry His name to the world, make it count. – Daily DEVO 9

And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11 – This is a “Check your heart” type of verse for sure. If we read the verse prior to it we can get pretty worked up and start pointing fingers. It gives a good list of all the sinners that won’t step into the kingdom of God. The homosexual, the thief, the drunkard. We could begin to use that verse as our reason so throw hate at such people….that is until you read the first few words in the next verse, “As such were some of you.” What right do we have to throw hate at someone for a sin we used to be trapped under? While your sin struggle may not have been listed here, understand you aren’t off the hook, it’s sin that keeps you from inheriting the kingdom of God. It’s only because you’ve been washed, sanctified, and justified by Jesus that your story is any different than the person you want to throw hate at. Remember, just like you’ve been changed, the offer of salvation is offered to them as well and God may want to use you to share His love to them. Are you willing to be used like that? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 708

To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? But you yourselves wrong and defraud—even your own brothers! 1 Corinthians 6:7-8- Paul is coming down pretty hard on them here, but what we must remember is Paul understands what’s on the line here. The church here was getting into such deep tension and hurt that they were taking matters to be handled in a worldly court of law. So what was going to be the end result of this? Yes, their issue might be figured out, but what else? Disunity between the church body grows, our witness to those not in the church is damaged, and people will not be attracted to the church because it looks no different than anything else. This is why Paul asks them wouldn’t it be better to just suffer some wrong. No, it’s not always fair or right, but is our being in the right worth the damage? It’s a lot to dwell on and something I will even be giving a lot of thought to today. Keep in mind Paul doesn’t say to never address problems, He asks is there any among you that can judge the issue. We just need to ask what’s actually worth the fight and what should be let go. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1773