“Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is well for a man not to touch a woman.” But because of cases of sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another except perhaps by agreement for a set time, to devote yourselves to prayer, and then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. This I say by way of concession, not of command. I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has a particular gift from God, one having one kind and another a different kind.

To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is well for them to remain unmarried as I am. But if they are not practicing self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion.

To the married I give this command—not I but the Lord—that the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does separate, let her remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not divorce his wife. To the rest I say—I and not the Lord—that if any believer has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. And if any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is made holy through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy through her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so; in such a case the brother or sister is not bound. It is to peace that God has called you. Wife, for all you know, you might save your husband. Husband, for all you know, you might save your wife.” 1 Corinthians 7:1-16

“For the unbelieving husband is made holy through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy through her husband.” Divorce, at that time, was very common among both Jews and Gentiles — and it did not take a lot of lawyers nor a lot of money to make it happen. Marriage is a Divine institution; even if more and more people are getting married outside of the church. Marriage is intended to be for life, by G-d’s appointment, for better and for worse. But Paul then carries this another step — that since we are to live together, in marriage, for the betterment of all, we also should remain in marriage, and in turn all relationships, even with unbelievers. It should be the work and the study of those who are married, to live for the other in the manner that we live for Christ. Should a Christian desert a husband or wife just because they do not believe? Paul says we are to stay, and work for the betterment of all, including our spouse or relative. In every marriage, in every relation and relationship, the Lord has called us to live in peace; and every thing should be done to promote harmony, as far as truth and holiness will allow.

Pastor Dave

“When any of you has a grievance against another, do you dare to take it to court before the unrighteous, instead of taking it before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels—to say nothing of ordinary matters? If you have ordinary cases, then, do you appoint as judges those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to decide between one believer and another, but a believer goes to court against a believer—and before unbelievers at that? In fact, to have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? But you yourselves wrong and defraud—and believers at that. Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers—none of these will inherit the kingdom of God. And this is what some of you used to be. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food,” and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is meant not for fornication but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Should I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that whoever is united to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For it is said, “The two shall be one flesh.” But anyone united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun fornication! Every sin that a person commits is outside the body; but the fornicator sins against the body itself. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:1-20

Paul is warning the Corinthians against many evils, behaviors of which they had formerly been guilty. Paul carries a lot of authority and seeks to establish that point: “Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God?” All sin is sin; all sin, every actual sin, committed with knowledge, and not repented of, shuts out the kingdom of heaven. Humans are very much inclined to flatter themselves that they may live in sin, yet if they believe in Christ or at least repent once in a while, then all will be fine since all go to heaven. But Paul hopes to warn these people that they cannot hope to sow to the flesh, and continue to reap everlasting life. They are reminded that the gospel and grace of Jesus Christ is to make them a new people. The blood of Christ, and the repentance of the heart, can take away all sin. Our justification is owing to the suffering and merit of Christ; our sanctification to the working of the Holy Spirit; but both go together. All who are made righteous in the sight of G-d, are made holy by the grace of G-d.

Some among the Corinthians seem to have been ready to say, “All things are lawful for me”. I would say there are many among us today who live by this same banner — we are not much different than the people of Corinth. But Paul opposes such thinking. Yes, Christ has made us free, and in that banner we all must stand fast. But Paul also says that we should not continue to sin because Grace abounds. Our body is for the Lord; just like all we have is the Lords. It therefore makes sense that, just as Jesus Christ was raised bodily from the dead it will be our honor and glory to also be raised with him.

Pastor Dave