SATURDAY, JUNE 10
1 Corinthians 6:12
Romans 6:1-23

"…I will not be brought
under the power of any."

ARE YOU ADDICTED?

In 1 Corinthians 6:12, Paul began a new section dealing with how a Christian’s body is not meant for sin. The Corinthian Christians had been redeemed by Jesus, and their bodies belonged to God. Thus, they must use their bodies to serve righteousness, not unrighteousness. This was the underlying principle that Paul used to address the issues of fornication (1 Cor 6:12-20), marriage and singlehood (1 Cor 7), and food offered to idols (1 Cor 8-10).

In our reading, Paul exhorted the Corinthian Christians that they must exercise self-control over their bodies. The phrase "all things are lawful unto me" seems to have been a popular theological slogan concerning Christian liberty. This liberty in Christ is misunderstood as a license to sin. Christians take this freedom to mean that they are lords over their bodies. Hence, they serve self rather than Christ, resulting in the gross carnality and schisms in the church.

Christian liberty is freedom from sin, not freedom to sin. Now there are certain things and activities that may be "lawful" and "permissible" according to Holy Scriptures. However, we must be careful not to be addicted or brought under the control of these things or they may become our idols and cause us to sin. For example, food is necessary for our body. But when we become so captivated by the food that we eat beyond the limits of our body to the damage of our health, we break the Sixth and Tenth Commandments. It is pure gluttony, and that dish has become our idol. Similarly, the Lord has called us to be diligent workers in our places of work for the sake of the testimony of the Lord (Eph 6:5-8). Work is lawful. However, when we become addicted to work (i.e. a workaholic), it tears us away from the Lord and other lawful duties. We have lost control of our bodies. Control our bodies for Christ’s sake, and not let our bodies control us!

THOUGHT: Am I allowing sin to reign in me?
PRAYER: Lord, I present my body as a living sacrifice unto Thee.