The Corinthians were known for their immoral sexual freedom. Paul would use powerful scripture to rebuke believers in Corinth and call on them to refrain from defiling their bodies which are living sacrifices to God.
“12 Everything is permissible for me—but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me—but I will not be mastered by anything.” (1 Corinthians 6:12)
Paul uses a slogan by which the Corinthians had been living reminding them immorality was not beneficial. The apostle also warns his readers about sin and how it can enslave someone who give into satan on a regular basis.
“13 Food for the stomach and the stomach for food—but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.” (1 Corinthians 6:13)
While food was indeed made for the stomach and vice versa, the body, which is a temple to be made acceptable to God, was not conceived for fornication. Instead our bodies should be honored and maintained in ways glorifying to our creator.
“14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!” (1 Corinthians 6:14-15)
Just as God raised Christ from the dead He will also raise His children. Not with impure bodies but with undeterred, righteous purity. Paul declares all believers ar part of the body of Christ, as such each one should act accordingly to the word.
“16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” (1 Corinthians 6:16)
The apostle calls on believers in Corinth and beyond to focus on the word and to follow in Christ’s footsteps, to prevail when tempted since sexual immorality binds sinners with satan.
“17 But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit. 18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.” (1 Corinthians 6:17-18)
Paul calls on believers to bind ourselves with Christ as we work out our salvation according to the gospel. By resisting sexual immorality we honor God with our temples, with our bodies which He created for His glory.
“19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
Reminding us of the great sacrifice suffered on the cross, Paul calls on believers to treat our bodies as a temple by which we glorify God. Allowing the Holy Spirit to flow from us as a river down a mountain side, we must resist sexual immorality and refrain from sin against the holy temple that is our body. Let us pray!
Father God;
We thank you for your blessings in our lives and for your servant Paul,
We praise you Lord for his wisdom and for his works through this scripture,
We ask you Lord to inspire us to use these verses in our lives
As we grow in you through the teachings of your faithful apostle.
Lord we ask you to strengthen us each day as we endure through battles,
Allow us to praise and love each other through faith in you Jesus,
Shield us from evil through truth, the gospel, salvation and prayer,
Guide us to abide by your word as we spread your gospel to one and all
Becoming examples of faith through our character as we walk the narrow path.
God we pray that you will continue to bless us, to bless our lives and fill us with hope
We ask you Lord to guide our footsteps and lead us to the way everlasting,
Through faith in you Lord we seek salvation and a place with you in heaven
According to your word, your everlasting wisdom and strength.
May your will be done
In our lives, for your life.
We thank you for your love and all you bless us with each day.
Praise God,
Amen!
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: DanielStPierre@ThriveThroughChrist.com
