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Pathways Through Paul
Daily Devotional
June 28
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Today's Pathway:
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In today's passage Paul continues to give reasons why Christians should abstain from sexual sins. In verse 15 he states that the believer's body is a "member" of Christ. The word translated "member" simply means a body part or a limb. Ephesians 1:22-23 tells us,
"And hath put all things under his (Christ's) feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all."
Christ is the head of the church, and the church is His body. Therefore if a part of that body joins himself to a harlot, he is in fact taking Christ into that union with him. It should be noted here that Paul is not simply speaking of sexual sin with a prostitute. The word "harlot" is simply the feminine usage of the word for a fornicator. So, whether or not the partner is a "professional", the sin is still the same. Paul indicates that they should already know this. He repeats the statement "know ye not" three times in this section, which emphasizes that they DO know these things, but are choosing to ignore them. Paul's comment on this activity is "God forbid". The thought of dragging the holy Son of God into an adulterous liaison should be repulsive to anyone who is saved.
In verse 16 he refers back to Genesis 2:24 where God instituted marriage and said that the husband and wife would be "one flesh". Whether the couple is married or unmarried, the aspect of "one flesh" holds true. Jack Arnold wrote this,
"This quote comes from Genesis 2:24, which is given in the context of marriage, obviously referring to two becoming one flesh in the physical act. This being the case, any man who unites himself to a harlot by that physical act becomes one body with her. What the Apostle is saying is that something goes on in the act of sex which creates a union far deeper than merely the passing pleasure of the moment. This becoming one body is a universal principle. Sex involves two people sharing in a mystery and it is not just an animal act. There is an intimacy which can never be forgotten and will always be stamped on a person’s mind to some degree. What this verse does say is there is an emotional, psychological and spiritual impact in illicit sex which leaves its mark on every person who gets involved in it."
Aside from the fact that fornication would certainly impact someone's marriage, whether he is already married or gets married in the future, it most definitely impacts the believer's relationship with God.
In verse 17 he reminds the Corinthians that they are one spirit with Christ. In John 17:21, Jesus prays to His Father and says,
"thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee."
Then two verses later he says,
"I in them, and thou in me"
The union that Jesus has with the Father is the same union that He has with those who have received Him as Savior. There is a spiritual union that exists between Christ and believers, and to pollute that union by uniting with someone through fornication is a wicked sin.
Paul has more reasons yet to give, but we will conclude today with the first words of verse 18,
"Flee fornication".
When faced with the temptation of fornication with Potiphar's wife, the Bible tells us that Joseph "fled, and got him out" (Genesis 39:12). J. C. Ryle wrote,
"Flee from sexual immorality. Flee from the opportunity of it--from the company of those who might draw you into it--from the places where you might be tempted to do it. Flee from talking about it. Flee from the thoughts of it; resist them, destroy them, pray against them--make any sacrifice rather than give way to them. Imagination is the hotbed where this sin is too often hatched. Guard your thoughts, and there will be little fear about your actions."
Pastor Mark J Montgomery
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