Thursday, July 25 - 1 Corinthians 6

JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE

   St. Paul, in this chapter, encourages the Corinthian Christians to separate themselves from worldly ways and to be a light to the nations.  Specifically, they should not mistreat one another through lawsuits, be connected to the sexual sins, be greedy, drunkards, slanderers or swindlers.  Instead, they should recognize that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and consider themselves on display to the world as representatives of Christ Himself. (see v. 15)

   As Paul shares these words, it occurs to me that there are two modern errors that echo in his thinking.

   1)  First, is the error of hypocrisy.  That is, believing that the salvation Christ won for us is assured, and therefore, we can live however we want and do whatever we please.  In other words, that the words we profess with our mouth do not have to match the life we live -- intentionally.  We see this in the Christian who "checks his faith at the door of the sanctuary" and goes into the world to live immorally.  Lying, cheating, gossip, slander, drunkenness, pride, sexual sin are freely practiced with the idea that ultimately there is nothing that can separate us from God.

   2)  But there is also an opposite error.  It is the error of translating faith into morality -- thinking that living faithful, godly lives is what Christianity is all about.  In truth, Christianity is about a relationship which God Himself created with sinful humanity (US), through Christ.  It is about His rescue and deliverance of sinners like us.  Our godly living does not earn us merit badges or propel us to some greater status before God.  Instead, we live holy lives because His Spirit dwells in us and in gratitude for all that He's done for us.