“I have the right to do anything,” you say-but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”-but I will not be mastered by anything. You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” But whoever is united with the Lord is one with Him in spirit. Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 NIV&http://bible.com/111/1co.6.12-
Very important verse today. It makes me think of my situation and it also saddens me how many who call themselves Christians seem to take their way of living for Christ so lightly. We are the temple of His HOLY SPIRIT. Everything we do, speak, hear or watch with our senses should glorify Him. We no longer belong to ourselves to do whatever we want. What does this mean? Paraphrasing Paul lol, if you are single and looking for a relationship, HE IS your bf/gf. If you are married, HE IS both of your duty to serve Him, together, simultaneous to serving (yes men, being a servant to your wife) your spouse.
We are "saved by grace, not by works" but many misunderstand grace. Grace doesn't mean we can live whichever way you want or you can justify what we do and think/say "god agrees". Jesus said "if you love me, then DO as I say" if you love me, keep my commandments." He said "be holy like God the father is Holy." Paul also says we "are a new creation in Christ, we put away our old ways and live a life that is pleasing to God."
Paul specifically reminded us that grace doesn't mean that we aren't beholden to the Lord anymore or his early desires. I'm baffled when people say "Oh no, the Old Testament? No, we don't need to care/follow/those anymore." Um, what? Yes we do, we at the very least still TRY to because "God is not a man, that He should change His mind" "He is the same yesterday, today and forever." He deserves our best. So TRY being the operative word here, because EVEN IF we do as perfectly as we can, which is IMPOSSIBLE. His Word says we still can't be saved, unless we have accepted the grace. HE chooses, not us. He reads the hearts and intentions/minds. Not us.
The difference between the Old Testament and New is that Jesus came to take our sins so by accepting His sacrifice and surrendering to Him; ALL of our sins of the past are covered by his blood, and any sin present or future that we do is covered under the blood if we do it out of ignorance, but if we sin willfully God's Holy Spirit will deal with us so we can repent and turn.
If we don't repent and turn away after being convicted by Him, then we are in total rebellion of God and the Spirit and that's when we fall in danger of falling away from the faith, having "itchy ears", and heeding instead to the self, evil spirits, and ultimately the devil. Following instead "doctrines of demons."
It is ONLY because of Jesus that we may still FAIL at these attempts and YET still have grace and find rest and some peace. Jesus said "I came NOT TO ABOLISH the law..."& But people and sadly many Christians, conveniently miss that part. He "came to fulfill it" not do away with it, which means it still stands; he is the fulfillment of the acceptance of the fact that we will still sin, but those sins (for the believers) are now ATONED for by a gracious God. Jesus is the fulfillment of that law but not because it isn't important to God anymore. What was important to Him then is what's important to Him NOW!
It seems to me so easy to understand; but so is seeing a red light, watching a movie, or reading a book cover is easy for a person with healthy vision and hearing, but probably almost near impossible for someone who has blindfolded themselves or allows themselves to be blindfolded and has loud music playing in their ears.
What is the law? Books discussing uneven scales, murder, sexual perversions with family members/rape, serving other gods, lying under oath, accepting and taking blood of others/animals, injustices, taking bribes, greed, impurity, seeking fortunes, divination, dark arts, idol worship, sorcery etc.
The New Testament speaks of these same characteristics not being saved, but in different wordings. That law hasn't changed because of Jesus coming! He is our ransom! Without Jesus' fulfillment, we were (those who do not believe still are) objects of wrath and sin which leads only to judgement and death everlasting away from God. We needed the fulfillment because we were (and ARE - take a look around at the world) doing those sinful things!
Even unknowingly we still sin! "All"& (not some) of us are accountable Jesus said and "will have to give an account" at the judgement. Not just "unbelievers" or the evildoers.&The only difference for us (follwers of Christ and DOERS of the Word) and others is that glorious GRACE!! &We accepted it, we believed, (some of us didn't even know why but it just made sense to us). We choose sheepdom; were convicted and then tried to turn from sins (and still do, I hope!).
The apostles kept the law. We are to keep the commandments of God still, we fail everyday. Sometimes without knowing and sometimes out of stubbornness we just don't want to obey God and we tend to justify ourselves somehow.
We are no longer under the rituals of the law of shedding the blood of animals because Jesus became are ultimate sacrifice and HE SHED blood, but the commandments of God still stand, not only the 10 commandments, but many others that teach us specifically how to treat others.&Many of these laws/things today are mocked in the media and many people in the world considers as "foolishness, legalistic, judgmental, & pure evil."
But I am reminded of why some are blindfolded and cannot hear. Who is "the ruler of the air"? Who is the "prince of this world"? In who’s "hands does it say in God's Word that the whole world is lying in"? Satan's.
Christ was hated, made to suffer for our sins, then was put to death horrifically and He rose from the dead! He "overcame even death." I'd say as His "sheep to that shepherd" we are in great company. This is an intense topic which some Christians go as far as calling us who believe in attempting at living a holy life, "legalistic". To many today, “legalism” is attempting to be living a life as children of light and in respect of of a just and merciful God, and not living one of darkness; this lifestyle is considered to be so bad. It’s sad but this mindset makes me feel like many Christians want comfortable Christianity, "give me lots of “blessing,’ but don't talk about sin!"
We need to talk about sin. Sin is the reason this world is in such a mess. Everything without God's spirit is mans’ spirit and ultimately Satan's. We find ourselves sad, hurt, confused and in pain because we don't talk about sin anymore and its consequences enough. Just &take a look at the world around us. Even atheistic unbelievers can see that something is going horribly wrong morally in the world.
As Christians I am called simply to speak of Jesus, to love and to pray earnestly for those who walk in darkness so that the light of Jesus may/will be revealed to them in His mercy. I hope that I am / can ever be an example that love, peace, wisdom, comfort awaits those who find the ONLY light inside me. Jesus.
