Sometimes Paul reminds me of just how radical my faith should be. Here’s an example, from two bookend verses in a passage talking about sexual and other sins (1 Corinthians 6:12 and 20): “‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say—but not everything is beneficial.’I have the right to do anything’—but I will not be mastered by anything. . . . You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
Isn’t it amazing that a couple thousand years ago Paul responded to one of the most prevalent ideas in our culture today? “I have the right to do anything.” I can view porn, blast my music, espouse hateful viewpoints online. I can take my message to the streets or riot to deny someone else a voice. I can party, gamble, sleep around, cohabitate. I can define my own gender, and redefine it every day if I want. You have to tolerate it all, because I have the right to do anything.
Christians don’t have the right to do anything. Non-Christians shouldn’t either, but they don’t acknowledge the same Lord that we do. Our Lord expects us to do what is beneficial and not to be mastered by anything other than our love for him. He reminds us of what he paid to save us. He demands that our choices honor him.
Believing this truth and living it out looks really weird to the world - just look at the vilification of Mike Pence. But it’s what Jesus calls us to. It’s the kind of radical, revolutionary behavior that could really change the nation.
No comments:
Post a Comment