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December 16 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 Corinthians 6:12. In verses previous to this startling statement Paul has explained the behavior that is not lawful--the fornication, idolatry, adultery, homosexuality, thievery, coveting, and drunkenness that exclude the kingdom of God for those who practice such things as a life style. Now, he offers a glimpse of the freedom of those who would follow Christ. We know that the Bible clearly shows the death that is produced by the Law. It drives us to its intended goal—the upward call of Christ and the life of faith in Him. Only by following Christ can we discover that all things are lawful. When Christ sets us free we are free indeed. In James 1:25 we are said to be following a “law of liberty.” Paul, in the Epistle to the Romans, clearly shows us that life is to be found by following the Spirit, rather than the Law. We are not to try to live the Christian life alone; it is by using the Spirit as our companion that we can discover life as it is intended to be. Oh how I would wish more Christians could discover this! In the verse quoted in 1 Corinthians we find that we are to look for what is profitable—what will not master us. He is not talking about financial gain. Instead Paul is thinking of all decisions that require us to find life, rather that just trying to decide between right and wrong. When I choose the path that produces life I know that it is the profitable way for all those involved as well as myself. The life that totally satisfies is the life of Christ. To place myself under Law is to choose the path that leads to death. Heavenly Father, I thank You for providing the Holy Spirit to guide us. Without Him we would remain as victims of our fleshly desires. Without Him we would have no choice but to fail over and over again as we tried to live up to the Law. The Law has finally broken us and we can now follow the life-giving Spirit. We have been set free. Thank You for understanding us so deeply. Amen. |
