“You are not your own; you were bought with a price.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Let’s continue to follow Paul’s thinking as he addresses the Corinthians and his concerns for them. He is concerned about their lack of unity. He is concerned to hear rumors of sexual immorality that they are not willing to confront. He is concerned that they are taking disputes to the public courts to be tried by people who do not even understand the guidelines that define morality for Christians. As we continue to read, Paul lists a series of sinful relationships that are rejected by God and will be judged. We don’t often hear sermons about greed, slander, drunkenness or swindling. We might hear about the sins that are least likely to condemn us. But Paul now continues to add, 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” We are all sinners and we can all be forgiven, washed clean, as we turn to God.
Paul now pivots back to the sin of sexual immorality
12 “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. 13 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”
Paul returns to his basic thesis that we are building on the foundation of faith in God and the building that each one of us is part of is purposed for worship and prayer. We are God’s temple and the Holy Spirit indwells us and we have no business with participating in the sins of this world. Please understand that Paul is not saying sex is wrong for God made us sexual but abuse is wrong.
. 17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
19 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; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
These last two verses are memorized by many. Not only were we created by God but we were redeemed, bought back, through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. There is forgiveness and hope for each one of us.
So what is our challenge as we read these verses? It is tied up in the word “honor.” What does honor mean to you and how does it work. Let’s use an acrostic to dig deeper and ponder. H is for_____, O is for ______, N is for ______, O can also be for ______, and R is for ______. Lord help us to honor you with our bodies and with our relationships.
On the Way to Wonder 