In chapter 6, Paul addresses a couple of subjects, but they fit "neatly" under the umbrella that we have been discussing to this point: Stop thinking like a mortal man only...but be transformed and think like the spiritual person that you are in Christ. The struggle for all of us is that our "flesh" (that is, our own desire to look out for ourselves and meet our own needs according to our own "wisdom") is constantly at enmity with the spirit-being inside us when we become believers. It is not that the Holy Spirit is working up a sweat, wrestling with us. It is that God presents a plan/purpose/ and direction to us and we struggle between whether we choose to yield to that plan...or stick with what seems to serve our interest better (our plan/purpose/ and direction). Intellectually, most Christ-followers know that God's plan is always better...yet, they wrestle anyway. Paul addresses a couple of ways this occured for the Corinthian believers.
1 Cor 6:1-11 give clear instruction on how believers are to settle differences with one another. Apparently, for this subject to come up...it had become pretty obvious that people were taking their issues with one another to the magistrates in town to settle. The appeal was to the civil law rather than to the law of God. Today, this looks pretty similar in many churches. When confronted with a challenge or difference of opinion, many people simply appeal to something "worldly" like tradition, accounting principles, constitutions, by-laws, preferences, or human wisdom. None of these things are bad...but neither are they as good as God's way. God has a better approach. Seek him, employee wise people in your spiritual community (church) who will lead according to biblical principles and submit to their godly wisdom.
An example comes to mind. We were burglarized as a church last year and the perpetrators were caught. As they neared their court date, I received a phone call from one of the boys' moms. She wanted to apologize for her son and ask that I speak on his behalf at court so he would not receive severe punishment. (He and his friend did more that $30,000 in damage/thefts to two churches). She said she was calling because her son's attorney suggested it. I told her to have her son speak to me (he was of legal age). If he confessed to me and asked for forgiveness, then I would speak to the court. She said he could not do it because his attorney suggested that he admit no guilt. (Oh...he claimed to be a Christian.) Anyway, I told her that her son needed to choose where he would argue his case. If you choose a human court, then trust the courts and the lawyers. If you want to trust in the mercy of God and how that would work its way out through God's people...he would need to admit his guilt and ask for forgiveness. [He chose the courts and received, probation, restitution, and court ordered counseling.]
If two believers are at odds and are part of the church family, disputes should be settled in the church family. Seek out the pastor or a wise leader and let them guide you. (This goes for marriage struggles too). If you cannot trust the "saints" to judge appropriately here in this matter...you will be sadly disappointed when you get to heaven (assuming...of, course...) and find that the saints are actually judging the world (1 Cor 6:2-3).
1 Cor 6:12-20 speaks of our conduct in our own bodies. Granted...we are not of this world and our world is passing away (including these earth suits we live in), but we are still to live in this world in a way that glorifies God. A believer cannot sin in this world and defend it by pointing to the fact that He is a kingdom citizen. Everything we do is a spiritual act. When we eat and drink (1 Cor 6:12-13) and "whatever" (1 Cor 6:14-18) or do anything...we are bringing the Holy Spirit right into the situation (1 Cor 6:19). Even though we claim that our physical actions are our own and are not related to our God worship...we are wrong. Truthfully, we are given this physical existence in order to glorify God in all that we do (1 Cor 6:20). It is not optional...it is part of the contract we made with God.
What areas of our lives do we have segmented away from our "spiritual" nature? Do you act at work in a manner that is God-led and worshipful...or do you compartmentalize that aspect of your life so you can "get things done" efficiently? Commit today to act in a manner consistent with godliness in every element and aspect of your life. Let God have the whole thing...not just a compartment or section on Sunday. See if the rest of the week does not prove to bring you closer to God rather than drain you of your worship.
Proverbs 21:15 is the takeaway today. This is not a Sunday morning Proverb...but it connects to our experience in everyday life. Acting in righteousness always magnifies God and discourages the enemy.
Grace,
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Me Me Me... Mine Mine Me. We are so fleshly. This is what comes to my mind. I think of how so many times I am and have been guily to thinking only of my self. This is what gets us in trouble. During this verse I was pondering what gets us all in trouble. Especially, when we have given everything over to God. It is self! We are full but full of the wrong ingredidents, we are called to be full of Christ and we are full of self. I am reminded that God leads through the Holy Spirit and Satan tends to lead through the flesh. It is so sad because we humans are always looking to find what makes us FEEL good. Trying to fill so many voids with earthly desires. I prayed last night that God says He will give us the desires of our hearts but I have not thought about 'what if our desires are not of the spirit but of the flesh'. Sometimes we need to regroup, refocus... We need to let go and let God.
Thanks for letting me post.
Amanda,
Good post. Good prayer too. Psalm 37:4 says that He will give us the desires of our heart...but this promise is preceded by our delighting ourselves in Him. When He is the "main event" in our lives, then we find that He gives us all we desire.
Grace,
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