FREE AT LAST-IN SOME THINGS

FREE AT LAST-IN SOME THINGS

“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.” 1 Cor. 6:12

Paul, the great champion of Christian liberty, must often have said, "I am out from under the bondage of the law, I am free from all legal demands; all things are lawful to me." But, in this context he makes it clear that when he says "all things" he is not using that term in its broadest sense. There are some areas where Christian liberty applies; for example, in the matter of meats or food. "Food for the belly, the belly for food." These two correspond to each other. They suit each other. Both are temporary. God will put both of them out of use (Greek, katargeo). In the resurrection food and stomachs will not be needed. In other words, food and eating are matters which are morally indifferent, and a proper realm for Christian liberty to act. Finally, free at last.

But not so in the next example which Paul adduces. "The body is not for fornication." We may imply that some in Corinth were saying, "The body is for fornication, just like food is for the belly. Both are natural appetites (a very liberal train of thought) and it is proper to seek satisfaction for both alike." Paul vehemently denies this analogy. This is an entirely different situation. The body belongs to the Lord. They correspond to each other; they suit each other. Notice how he calls the body a temple of God. It is His body (vs. 15; cf. Eph. 5:30). The body is not temporary, but permanent (vs. 14). It is going to be resurrected, transformed, and glorified, and we are going to keep it throughout eternity, unstraightened. Therefore, the use that we make of our bodies is not morally indifferent, and its abuse is outside the realm of Christian liberty. Christian liberty does not include fornication. Free at last-to use my body as He desired it to be used and that for eternity to rule and reign with Him.