The Apostle Paul continued his written discipline to the church in 1 Corinthians 6. Apparently, some church members were taking their disputes and disagreements to the secular court system. Paul rebuked this concept. He reasoned that the Corinthian believers had (or should have had) enough sound judgment to handle quarrels within their own circle. Paul asked in verse one, “Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?”
If believers are the light of the world, then we shouldn’t consult the world for their judgment. In fact, it should be the other way around. The world should seek believers in handling issues because we should be the shining example to the world on how to handle conflict. Why would light seek the opinion of darkness? Christians seeking counsel from the world made no sense to Paul, and it shouldn’t make sense to us either. We are to think, behave, and speak differently from the world, so it isn’t wise of us to seek the world for advice on how to handle problems.
If there is a dispute among believers, we can seek wise counsel from our own fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. A sound solution to any issue can be reached if we model our thoughts and actions after Christ. But this wasn’t what the Corinthians were doing. Paul stated that they were cheating one another and doing wrong to their own brothers in the Lord. And because of this, Paul said, "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9)
If there were any questions about where those who chose to live unrighteously would spend eternity, it was answered in this verse. Paul was abundantly clear in this text. However, what was also crystal clear was what Paul stated next. Paul stated, ‘And such were some of you …’ meaning that the righteous were once counted among the unrighteous.
Believers must always remember that we were once in sin, too. Therefore, instead of criticizing sinners, we ought to sympathize with them. We know all too well what it feels like to be trapped in darkness. We know exactly how it feels to ignorantly love being in sin—to believe that darkness is fun and amusing. But thank God, we were saved from our sin. Paul continued, “But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11)
Although we were defiled and natural enemies to our holy God by our unholy ways, we were washed, sanctified, and justified. Biblehub.com breaks down the Greek meaning of this verse and what it truly means to be washed, sanctified, and justified. In this text, washed means to wash off or wash away sins in baptism). Sanctified means to make holy, purify, or consecrate. Justified means to render just or innocent.
So, when we say we are washed, sanctified, and justified, we are saying that through Christ, we are cleansed from all unrighteous, made holy, and deemed innocent in the sight of our holy and righteous God. In other words, despite our wicked ways, our self-imposed accusations and condemnations, the accusations of the world, or even Satan, we are thoroughly and undeniably saved, set apart, and redeemed. How freeing and incredibly beautiful is it to know that even though we are not worthy because of Christ, we are counted holy and heaven-bound?
God’s salvation plan for his chosen is more than gracious. To count the unrighteous righteous, the unholy holy, and the unclean clean is more than what we deserve. It far exceeds anything we could have ever asked for. For that, for God’s ultimate sacrifice and ever-extending love, we should remain humble, grateful, and thankful to God, our Father, and Jesus Christ, his Son.
The Apostle Paul continued his letter by informing the Corinthians that because they were “bought at a price,” the price of Christ’s blood, they should glorify God in their bodies and spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:20). Paul reminded them that their bodies were God’s temples, just as he did in 1 Corinthians 3. Considering this, Paul reasoned that believers should not make their bodies members of a harlot. Doing this would degrade what God had deemed holy. It would be as if God’s washing, sanctifying, and justifying was done in vain.
Paul warned us to flee sexual immorality. He stated that sexual immorality is a unique sin because other sins are committed outside of the body, whereas this sin is a sin that is committed against one’s own body. If we respect God’s Spirit, then we should also respect where God chooses to house his Spirit. The Spirit of God is the most precious and prized jewel on earth, and he has decided to place this timeless treasure within the bodies of believers. Since God has honored us with this possession, let us also honor him by keeping the place where his Spirit dwells pure.
So, let us remember that God has done a marvelous thing. We were once unclean, but through His Son, we have been washed, sanctified, and justified. And to take it a step further God placed his very own Spirit within us. Because of what he has done for us, let us be mindful of what we do for him. May we honor and glorify God with our thoughts, words, deeds, and even our very bodies. May this word edify you and glorify God. Be blessed and take care.
Quin Arrington is the author of three nonfictional books and one fictional book, all of which are available on Amazon at www.amazon.com/author/quinarrington
Thank you for your time. God Bless!
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