Believers Are Free Part II

The ‘New Man’ as seen in 1 Corinthians. 

In 1 Corinthians, written before Paul’s letter Romans, is difficult to read because of the intensity of the events found therein. However, we must conclude that Paul’s discussion in Romans 7:14-25 speaks to the fact that he confirms that the law is the factor that bound him to sin. His slavery to sin is found in his subjection to the law, but we see his slavery to sin and his freedom from sin in Romans 7:24-25, “Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.” NASB. As one without God, without Jesus Christ, Paul finds that his bondage to sin because of the law is broken by the crucifixion/resurrection of the Savior.

There was a prior letter that the Apostle had written to Corinth, but it no longer exists. Paul’s statements here are poignant and I doubt few, if any, modern churches will engage in this kind of discipline. But please note, “But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler-not even to eat with such a one.” And, in the second quote Paul lists a number of sins committed by many in the Corinthian church and he states, “Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” Thankfully, there may have been more who were concerned with the Gospel message.

“I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people;  I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler-not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.” 1 Corinthians 5:9-12.

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.

Because the Believer is free from the bondage of sin there is the ability to, “…become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.” 1 Corinthians 9:22-23. However we are reminded that we will be tempted as Jesus was, and “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” Again, Believers may sin after being tempted, but we do not live therein.

Jesus is Lord.