Faith & Love: A One Year Bible Reading Plan - Part 9Sample

In this Chapter, Paul confronts two major issues happening in the church at Corinth. First, he is outraged that one of them has brought a lawsuit against a brother in Christ over a minor dispute. It is absurd to think that Christians, who will judge the world and angels, cannot even judge a small matter between themselves. Second, Paul warns his readers to run from sexual immorality. Sex creates a powerful bond intended only for marriage. Since our bodies belong to and are part of Christ, we have no right to bring Him into a one-body union with someone to whom we're not married.

Firstly when Paul rebukes the believers over issues in the church on how to settle small matters, it's because so many of the People in the church are driven by their culture and not by the new life they have now found in Christ. This new life in Christ should be of a forgiving temper. They should not be defined by the past but are forgiven in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 6:11 (CEV)
"Some of you used to be like that. But now the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and the power of God's Spirit have washed you and made you holy and acceptable to God."

Secondly: What is so important about Paul's argument against sexual immorality is that he only refers to believers, those who have been redeemed by Christ. This gave him the ultimate authority to warn them against their old sinful life because they are in Christ.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (CEV)
"You surely know that your body is a temple where the Holy Spirit lives. The Spirit is in you and is a gift from God. You are no longer your own. God paid a great price for you. So use your body to honor God."

Your body belongs to God, and that is an opportunity, as a gift, to honour and Glorify God. Our entire purpose is designed to serve God and so be the dwelling place for the Holy Spirit.

Question: In your understanding of your new life in Christ, how will you apply the warnings and purposes to serve God and others?