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August 2007
Insight is a monthly contribution on remarkable topics dedicated for thoughts, reflection and prayers. Please feel free to contribute to this page what you would like to share with others.
The Work of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:12-20)
When you are asked to explain your faith in God, where do you start, and how do you go about it?
I know of many examples but the most athletic one is from the Scottish runner Eric Liddell . Eric had waited his whole life to run one race. However, as the world watched in shock, he withdrew his name. Olympic organizers had scheduled the qualifying heat on a Sunday. As a Christian, Liddell felt he would dishonour God by participating on that day. However, God honoured Eric Liddell's faithfulness, and he was able to win a gold medal in another event.
Would you have done the same? Few of us hold Sunday in such regard today.
Note that some Christians observe Saturday rather than Sunday as the Sabbath. They believe Saturday observance to be more biblical, and indeed Saturday is the Jewish Sabbath. Sunday began to take precedence as the Christians day of worship because Jesus rose from the dead early on Sunday morning. So what?
Christian are called to freedom to worship God anytime, anywhere, and everywhere. Paul conferred this in many of his testimonies. According 1 Corinthians chapter 6 vv 12-20, Paul reiterates his freedom
The freedom given by Jesus was precious to Paul. He had been released from the bondage of the law (Gal 3 vv 23-25) and, in Christ, had been given entrance into an incredible freedom (Gal 5 v1). It was because he was aware of the bondage in which non-Christians lived that he prized freedom so highly and spoke it often. However, freedom, as a concept, can be misunderstood. One of the misleading elements in Greek though related to their view of the human body. Because they thought that human spirit was of prime importance and the body was of little concern, but the idea was widespread that bodily appetites could be indulged without regard to consequences.
This was, in part, responsible for the high level of sexual immorality which marked Corinth. Although, as Paul added after making his claim of freedom, as so did Eric Liddell on that Sunday, 'not everything is beneficial'.
Paul held the highest possible view of the human body: it belongs to the Lord, and is also part of the body of Christ. How could anyone, therefore, consider uniting such a body with other than wife or husband? An illicit union is a sin against another person, because it is exploitation, it is a sin against oneself, being a blight on personal integrity and honour; it is a sin also against the Lord v13 to whom we belong. Further to that, since all believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we must believe that the body is his temple and as such, is to be respected. Paul's final point on this subject is that we are not our own, we have been purchased, redeemed by Christ, and we have the privilege of honouring God with our bodies.
Paul did it, Eric Liddell did it, Charles Wesley did it, and.....
What can I do to use my body to glorify my Father?
What can I be to make this life worthwhile?
I'll be a voice to call men, women, and children to honour God my heavenly Father.
Modicum Okello (Rev)
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