Date: Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Today's Chapters: 1 Corinthians 5-8
Message Title: Being A Godly Example
Hello My Friend,
There was a survey done of forty countries and their view on morality, the study found that more than half saw sins of fornication including, smoking, drinking, premarital relations, abortion, and homosexuality as morally acceptable or shouldn't be an issue at all. Fornication is any act done with the body that defiles or impairs it, and while all sin has it's own set of consequences, none will affect us more than what we do with our own bodies. “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.” - 1 Corinthians 6:18.
Now, none of us is without sin, or wrong doing, we all have issues that we need to deal with, but the truth is, any act done upon that body, whether it is done by physical touching or consumption is sin, and whether we are saved or not we will suffer for it. The church is becoming more and more acceptable of fornication within it's members, but we must realize that while we are all a work in progress, we must not participate or condone such behavior. Paul had been made aware of the fornication going on in the church at Corinth, he found it extremely necessary to address these issues. First, he addresses an incestuous relationship known of and accepted in the church. “It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” - 1 Corinthians 5:1-5.
To be puffed up means to brag about or advertise something that is not acceptable as being acceptable. The devil loves to cause a division between the church as many allow and condone immoral behavior in the church. We must never accept or condone any immoral behavior, we can love them, but never be okay with them living in sin. While we cannot control each individual, we are to be the Christ led example that we are encouraged to be so that those who are living in sin can see the error of their ways. “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” - Galatians 5:13.
In reality, the world has no idea that what they are naturally doing is sin, that is why it is important for the church to explain, right from the Word of God what is moral and immoral. Paul explains why we are to flee fornication. “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.” - 1 Corinthians 6:12-16.
What Paul is saying here is that, of course, we are saved by grace, and not of our own works, but that does not give us the freedom to defile our bodies. We were bought with a price, Christ gave His life for us so we do not have to end up burning in hell and the lake of fire because we are unaware of any wrong doing. We should be honored that Jesus Christ has chosen us to set as an example and show others that we were once dead in sin, but are now risen, and alive through Christ. Our bodies have been redeemed by the atoning sacrifice of Christ, let's show Him our gratitude by being the example He needs us to be. “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.” - 1 Peter 1:18-21.
Before they knew Christ, the Corinthians, by upbringing and influence were idol worshipers, many who members of the church were still practicing these acts, which were influencing others in the church to do so as well. Paul stresses the importance of not only committing idolatry, but influencing others to do so as well. “Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him. As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.” - 1 Corinthians 8:1-4,9-12.
While we are each individual in character, we are also a collection of those we get around. Over the years we inherit the characteristics from everyone we get around, if we remain with those who are doing wrong, we will never do what's morally right. It is important for us to not only teach our children right from wrong, but do what we teach, it is equally important to be a godly influence in and out of the church. None of us is without sin, but we can still be a godly influence as we walk with Christ, learn His ways, and follow them. As long as we allow, condone, and ignore fornication as the sin that it is, the world will always see it as something moral, that is why we must not only walk with Christ daily, but be the influence many need, especially new converts. Why? They need to know their wrong doing, otherwise, they will face consequences for their sin, blame God, and walk away. We are the example, let's be the right example. “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.
Today's Prayer: God, Thank You for sending Your Son to save me, I know I am redeemed and saved from hell and the lake of fire because I believe in His death, burial, and resurrection, confessed that I am a sinner, and asked Him to save me. While I do not intentionally try to let You down, I know I will at times. Lord, feed me with the spiritual things I need to keep me healthy in mind, body, and spirit. Only by Your power can I resist temptation and see Your blessings unfold. Lord, help me to avoid the bad habits of the world that constantly try to defile my redeemed soul. Let me always be the godly example that You need me to be, and let me not get under the influence of those who are set on accepting, condoning, and committing immoral acts. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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