We can see what Paul is...
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We can see what Paul is complaining about here. The Jews had all kinds of things that were condemned in the laws they added to the ten. Certain foods were not legal (like pork and things sacrificed to idols). There were certain things you could not do on the sabbath, like traveling more than the trip between one meal and the next (a sabbath's day journey). There were restrictions on dress and requirements for personal cleanliness like washing before eating and on and on. Paul is saying that all things are permissible. We can drink alcohol but nothing to the extreme -- whether eating or drinking.
Paul does draw the line at sexual practices that even seemed to be acceptable in his day -- like polygamy or calling on a prostitute now and then when you are far away from home.
The overall concern is that, if we are the Body of Christ, then we don't want to tarnish that body. We need to treat our own body with respect so that we can be raised as he was raised. If our body is a temple, then we have to be very careful what we allow in that temple other than our Lord. Sex can crowd him out. It can take over our minds and hearts.
We were bought for a price, and we don't own ourselves anymore after Christ has purchased us with his blood. Is it hard to think that we are not our own? We belong to Christ but still we have the power to commit acts against our owner. In other words, God always gives us freedom while we are down here on his earth. We should use that freedom to call upon Christ's Spirit to cleanse us and keep us from all sin. He will do what we ask. If we want Christ's salvation, then don't even think about "freedom." He will set us free from urges to do wrong. Church is where we find the support of pastors and friends to keep us focused on our Lord. We can't do it on our own. We need the help of other Christians but especially the help of Christ's Spirit.
Paul does draw the line at sexual practices that even seemed to be acceptable in his day -- like polygamy or calling on a prostitute now and then when you are far away from home.
The overall concern is that, if we are the Body of Christ, then we don't want to tarnish that body. We need to treat our own body with respect so that we can be raised as he was raised. If our body is a temple, then we have to be very careful what we allow in that temple other than our Lord. Sex can crowd him out. It can take over our minds and hearts.
We were bought for a price, and we don't own ourselves anymore after Christ has purchased us with his blood. Is it hard to think that we are not our own? We belong to Christ but still we have the power to commit acts against our owner. In other words, God always gives us freedom while we are down here on his earth. We should use that freedom to call upon Christ's Spirit to cleanse us and keep us from all sin. He will do what we ask. If we want Christ's salvation, then don't even think about "freedom." He will set us free from urges to do wrong. Church is where we find the support of pastors and friends to keep us focused on our Lord. We can't do it on our own. We need the help of other Christians but especially the help of Christ's Spirit.
