Last week we examined what it looks like to deal with sin in this others-centered life we’ve been exploring in 1 Corinthians. Paul advocates for taking sin seriously— for uprooting it in the church and in us. We must be proactive about anything that poisons the church to keep it healthy.
1 Corinthians 5 asked us to get rid of things we know to be wrong and shouldn’t be doing—things that even those outside Christianity think are wrong. As we move into chapter 6 this week, Paul will challenge us to give up things the world deems okay, such as getting justice through a lawsuit or going outside of marriage for sex.
Jesus modeled a life for us that always set selfishness aside for the sake of others. He asks us to imitate that life. Being like Jesus doesn’t mean just saying no to the things everyone already thinks are wrong. It also involves saying no to what everyone outside of Christianity may think is okay but actually violates God, hurts other Christians, and destroys us.
Let us turn to 1 Corinthians 6 and read the whole chapter, looking at two things both the secular Corinthians and the Christians did—taking people to court and more “acceptable” sexual immorality.
As you read, look out for three things and write them down: What Jesus has done for us in the past, the present consequences for our actions, and finally what God will do in the future.
1 Corinthians 6 (NLT)
1When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers! 2Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves? 3Don’t you realize that we will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life. 4If you have legal disputes about such matters, why go to outside judges who are not respected by the church? 5I am saying this to shame you. Isn’t there anyone in all the church who is wise enough to decide these issues? 6But instead, one believer sues another—right in front of unbelievers! 7Even to have such lawsuits with one another is a defeat for you. Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated? 8Instead, you yourselves are the ones who do wrong and cheat even your fellow believers. 9Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. 11Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 12You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything. 13You say, “Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food.” (This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them.) But you can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies. 14And God will raise us from the dead by his power, just as he raised our Lord from the dead. 15Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never! 16And don’t you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? For the Scriptures say, “The two are united into one.” 17But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him. 18Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. 19Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
Paul hit on past, present, and future reasons why we should reject actions and attitudes the world thinks are okay.
We should first reject the world’s ways because of what Jesus did for us through his life, death, and resurrection. The verse in 1 Cor. 6:11 reminds us of all we received because of Jesus. He blots out the permanent stains of sin. He sets us apart as members of his family. And he removes the guilty verdict that hangs over our heads.
What Jesus has done for us should radically change us today. But that’s not the only reason for living differently from the world as we know it. Jennie talked about the consequences we face when we compromise and act like everyone else. We cause division. We hurt other people. We personally suffer.
We are reminded of the future hope we have through Jesus. Paul hints at it in the verses in 1 Cor. 6:2 and 1 Cor. 6:14—when Jesus returns, God will raise us from the dead and we will rule in the new earth. Jesus will return and hit the refresh button on creation. The earth will be brand new and we will reign with Jesus.
There are so many good reasons for us to decide to live in a way that’s different from the rest of the world. The question is whether or not those reasons are enough for you.
Thinking through the past, present, and future reasons from what Paul wrote, which is most compelling to you as a reason to risk living other-centered?
Spend some time journaling about how that reason equips you to handle the world’s view on sex and lawsuits. What does it look like to combat the world’s ideology with a Christ-centered hope?
Following Jesus involves a great exchange: your life for His life. He asks us to give up everything. But in return, He gives us everything. Is that enough for you?
Text your response to the above prompting questions to your group and/or share it as a comment below
I think the same as lucky where we need all 3 of past present and future without all 3 it will either make forget where we started, where we are, and where we want to be. If we give up the past we have that amenisa where we forget and take for granted where we were in life before Christ. If we don’t focus on the present with the lord it will mean we are stagnant, and we need the future to know where and how strong we want our faith to be. God is enough and what he did that on that cross is more than enough it is our own fault and sin if we don’t think it’s enough. That’s why I felt like in bumbles message that we remember daily what the lord did for us.
Thinking about the past, present and future reasons Paul wrote about, I am always most compelled by Christ’s sacrifice and example for us. There is nothing more motivating to me than knowing the God of the universe cares enough about us to give up everything in order so that we could have a right relationship with God. It will always be the driving motivation to live an other-centered life. I definitely believe that what Jesus asks us to give up is definitely worth the price. Although there are times especially under social pressure or when we feel left out because of our beliefs in the world where we may feel isolated or left out, it pales in comparison to what God has in store for us. Afterall, it seems unbelievable to me that we would be judging angels one day.
Giving up everything in turn for Jesus giving us everything is enough for me. All of what Jesus has done for us throughout his life, death, and resurrection ultimately outweighs the temporary and trivial gratification that the world has to offer. Because our bodies are made for the Lord and the Lord cares for our bodies, we should use our worldly bodies to glorify God rather than indulge in immorality and sin. By turning away from the world and choosing to trust in and follow Jesus, we shall reign with Him in God’s kingdom.