Living Room Study

1 Corinthians 6

“Flee from sexual immorality!  ‘Every sin a person can commit is outside the body,’ but the person who is sexually immoral sins against his own body.  Do you not know that your body is the sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God?  You are not your own, for you are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.”  1 Corinthians 6:18-20

My family comes from Arkansas and Texas…horse & cattle country. There was a time, when the West was young and yet to be tamed, when men staked claim to vast pieces of land. Everything in that land was their property to use as they wished. The wild horses on that property may have not known it, but someone had staked claim to them; it was only a matter time when the cowboys would come and make them meek to saddle and bridle.

The first chapter of John’s gospel is clear on the fact that Jesus created all that exists. Not only is He our manufacturer, He is also our redeemer. By virtue of His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, He bought us with a price. We are not our own. I understand that is an offensive notion in our culture, but a reality nonetheless.

Last week, a California court ruled on behalf of gay marriage. If you are gay in California, you can get married to your gay partner. Whenever Christians take a stand on this issue, abortion, or other personal morality issues, the secular community always responds with the same statement: Keep your laws off my body!!

In today’s passage, Paul is reminding us that we don’t own our bodies. At best, we are subletting space, which belongs to the Holy Spirit. As in any other “lease” situation, we have the freedom to decorate, personalize, and otherwise exploit our space, but only within the limits & requirements set by the landlord. In short, God gives us the right to “choose”, but we are not free to choose wrongly and expect no consequences.

The Corinthians had trouble understanding “community”. They were selfishly more concerned with their personal liberties, than protecting the testimony and reputation of the Church-at-large. Does this sound familiar? Paul’s message could be preached today and considered tailor-fit to our times!

His exhortation to us: If you were bought with a price, you have no personal liberty, other than what is allowed in scripture.

Blessings.

Steve Wiggins