Read
1 Corinthians 6:12
“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.

Reflect
The idea of getting away with as much as possible without actually breaking the rules has been around for a very long time. It seems that this little bit of human nature is one of those pieces that is very hard to root out. I guess because, it is buried so deep within our nature.

As our verse for today shows, some people twisted the teaching about freedom in Christ to mean that Christians were free to do anything they pleased. Similarly, some others had reasoned that they should go on sinning so that the grace of God’s forgiveness could increase (Romans 6:1).

No, says Paul. We have died to sin, and our freedom in Christ does not mean that everything we can do is good for ourselves or for others. We must still be wary of committing sin, which offends others, but more importantly offends God.

In sharp contrast, there are at least four times in scripture that we are exhorted by God to “Be holy because I am holy.” Paul speaks of putting off the old self and putting on the new self and gives us an extensive list of what is considered belonging to the old self (natural self) and in direct contrast to the new self that was given to us in the new birth from the Holy Spirit.

When I start asking on a regular basis, “What would Jesus have me do?” then I know that my life is aligning with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit within me. When I stop asking, “Can I still do this and be a good Christian?” then my life is on a track that is pleasing toward God.

Pray
Lord, open our eyes, that we may be aware of what shackles us. May you alone be our Master – and as we serve you, may we help many grow rich in the love of Jesus. Amen.