We’re reading 1 Corinthians 6 in the Tattoo Church Reading Plan today.
- This chapter starts off with Paul disapproving of people in the church taking each other to court. Paul also talks about people who follow Jesus someday being set up as judges of sorts over various things. This sounds kind of weird to us today but Paul is really stressing unity here. If they were treating each other with the love God calls us to there would be no one taking each other to any kind of court.
- Paul also talks bout a list of people (vs. 9-10) who wouldn’t “inherit the kingdom of God.” Is this talking about getting into heaven? Probably, but Jesus also talks about the kingdom of God being established on earth now. So we can only assume this list wouldn’t get into heaven but also the people listed here wont experience the peace, joy and hope that we gain from following Jesus today. Paul also points out that there’s hope for these people if they choose to follow Jesus (we get this from him telling his audience that they used to be on this list).
- In verse 12 Paul tells us that as followers of Jesus “everything is permissible” but not everything is beneficial. He is saying that following Jesus isn’t about rules of “do’s and don’ts” but instead it’s about freedom. However, just because we have freedom doesn’t mean we do stupid things. We know there are some things that wouldn’t help us grow into the person God wants us to become and we should stay away from those things.
- Paul also talks about the primary reason sexual sins are so frowned on by God. It’s not that he doesn’t want us to enjoy sex. He clearly made sex to be enjoyable. However, sexual sins are the only sins we commit against our own bodies. When we mess up in this area we carry those scars with us forever and God doesn’t want us to. That’s why he puts so many boundaries around sex; because he wants us to enjoy sex and it to make our lives better not worse.
Questions: Are you striving to bring unity everywhere you go? In your church? Does Paul’s list in verses 9-10 frustrate or offend you? Please realize God doesn’t want to turn anyone away. He offers a relationship with everyone who chooses to follow Jesus (even if we are “on” that list). Do you live your life worrying about rules people told you Christians should follow? Or do you enjoy living in the freedom we have through Jesus? Do you have boundaries in your life to protect you from messing up sexually? If not get some in place today! If we’ve messed up here too Jesus offers forgiveness and wants to help heal our brokenness.
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