He that is joined into the Lord
1 Corinthians 6:15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 6:16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
When we accept Christ as our Savior, we are not merely signing up for a set of beliefs or a new way of thinking. We are entering into a mystical union with Christ. Our bodies, our lives, become extensions of Christ Himself.
Our unity with Christ means that what we do with our bodies matters. Paul uses a stark example: "Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of a harlot? God forbid." Here, he is addressing the issue of sexual immorality, but the principle applies to all aspects of our lives. We must remember that our actions, our choices, reflect our unity with Christ.
Consequently, we are called to Holiness, Paul’s message emphasizes that being joined to Christ calls us to a higher standard of living. "Flee fornication," he urges. This is not merely a call to avoid sin, but a call to pursue holiness.
Fleeing Sin: To flee fornication, or any sin, is to recognize the danger and run in the opposite direction. This is an active, conscious decision. In the context of sexual immorality, it means guarding our hearts, minds, and bodies from anything that would lead us away from the purity God desires for us.
Additionally, when we are joined with the lord, we have become one spirit with Him. "But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit." This statement captures the essence of our relationship with Christ. We are not just followers; we are united with Him in spirit.
Spiritual Union: This spiritual union means that we share in Christ’s righteousness, His love, His mission. It means that our desires, our goals, our very lives should be aligned with His. This union is both a gift and a responsibility. It empowers us to live holy lives and calls us to reflect Christ in everything we do.
Lastly, we endeavor to Honor God with Our Bodies. Paul concludes this passage by highlighting the unique nature of sexual sin. "Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body." Sexual sin is particularly damaging because it violates the sanctity of the body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Temple of the Holy Spirit: When we understand that our bodies are temples, we realize the importance of honoring God with our physical selves. This involves maintaining purity, but it also includes taking care of our health, using our bodies to serve others, and living in a way that glorifies God.
In conclusion, to be joined unto the Lord is to embrace a new identity, a new way of living. It is to acknowledge that our bodies are members of Christ, to flee from sin, to pursue holiness, and to honor God with our whole being.
God bless you.
Prayer key:
1. Lord, thank you for thr blessing of your word today in Jesus Christ name.
2. Lord, grant me the grace to be joined with you in Jesus Christ name
3. Lord, help me to love a life that pleases you in Jesus Christ name.
4. Thank you Lord for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name. Amen.