Read 1 Corinthians 5
Highlights:
Immorality and other sins are rebuked; guidelines for marriage and Christian conduct.
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers . . . nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9-10).
Five times in chapter 6 are the alarming words Know ye not to emphasize the importance of being on guard against false teachers and perverted views as to who will inherit the Kingdom of God. Paul wanted to make sure he got this point across. Many people look at the Bible and say how much it repeats itself. God knows this benefits the believer. As we study the Word of God, major points that help us live our lives right are made clear to us. All we need to do is listen and hear what God is saying. So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding (Prov. 2:2).
Many people think they can live how they want to live and still go to Heaven, but this passage of the Scripture should cause everyone who is still practicing these sins to examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5). As we can see, the Scripture is plain, God outlines a life pattern for us to live. He shows the way we need to walk. We need not have a lifestyle directed by man, church or denomination. God, in His Word, has given us the way our lives should be lived. Our lives should be lived in service to God. We do this so the world sees Christ. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh (4:11).
No Christian has the right to say he can do as he pleases, for we have a responsibility before God and man to deny self and follow in the footsteps of the Master. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's (1 Cor. 6:20). Christ paid a great price for our freedom from sin and death. He is our great redeemer. As we walk through life, we need to remember this. Sometimes we forget and start living life our way. Don't worry, God is faithful. Christ is right there waiting for us to turn back to Him. All we have to do is open our mouths and our hearts and pray to God for the help we need to understand where we went wrong.
Ask God to reveal the areas in your life that need strengthening and allow Him to cleanse your heart of any hidden sins.
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Ps. 139:23-24).
Thought for Today:
It is only through the power of God's Word that we will seek good and not evil.
Cross References:
For 1 Cor. 6:16: See Gen. 2:24. 1 Cor. 9:9: See Deut. 25:4.
Word Studies:
5:11 a railer, one who is verbally abusive, a reviler; 6:9 effeminate, male homosexual who takes the feminine role; abusers of themselves with mankind, sodomites; 7:1 not to touch a woman, not to marry; 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, Do not deprive each other of marital rights; 7:12 let him not put her away, let him not leave her or divorce her; 7:32 without carefulness, free from anxieties.
Prayer Suggestion: Remember that God hears and answers our prayers (Is. 65:24).
Memory Verse for the Week: Titus 2:14
