It's All About Me?!

1 Cor 6:1-20

“Everything is permissible for me,” was apparently an overarching theme in Corinth, and somehow believers were buying into it, too. Whether it was the selfishness that inspired believers to take their property disputes to court, rather than graciously work things out among themselves or the intrigue of sexual sin, justified by the thought that it was a private matter, the Corinthians were struggling to live life differently than their culture encouraged.

Is it much different now? Might it not be proclaimed in our streets, “Everything is permissible for me”? And somehow, our society’s belief that we only have to be true to ourselves, can seep into the Church.

But Paul reminds the Corinthians – and us – that we don’t just live for ourselves. In verse 6, he reminds us that people are watching us, that we live life in community. We affect the lives of other believers by our decisions, words, and actions. And our lives are on display before those outside the family of God, as well, so that our decisions, words, and actions demonstrate to others the truth and power of the Gospel. Beyond that, Paul specifically addresses the dangers and destructiveness of sexual sin. Although the sin may seem private, our place in the body of Christ means that our indiscretions affect ourselves, our families, the people of God, and God himself.

Paul also reminds us that, at a time when our lives were shameful, God bought us at a high price, the very life of Jesus our Savior. Through Jesus Christ, we are washed, sanctified, and justified, so that now we have the freedom to honor God and bless others, by the power of the Gospel at work in our lives.

Thank you, Jesus, for your great sacrifice and for your work in my life. Strengthen me and lead me, that I might honor you with my body and with my life, as you deserve.