In this volume, Derek W. H. Thomas writes on Colossian 3:1-17. He quotes v.11: "Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all." Then he writes the following:
Remember how Paul uses this in an altogether alarming and staggering way in 1 Corinthians 6 when he talks about certain professing believers in Corinth. It is almost incredible and unbelievable that certain believers in Corinth were visiting brothels. And what is Paul's argument here? It is that they can't leave Jesus outside the door! When they sin, they sin in union and communion with Christ! As professing Christians, they cannot blame their sin on their Adamic nature [once we are 'in Christ' we are no longer 'in Adam']. The Corinthians were in effect taking Christ with them and uniting Him to a harlot! That is what Paul is saying. That is the implication of it. Realize who you are and that when you sin, you sin in union and communion with Christ. That is the horror of it.This is a stark picture of sin and our behavior.
Mike, great post. It reminds me of Mark 2:17 when the Pharisees ask Christ's disciples why he is eating with sinners and tax collectors: "And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.'" What I get from this is that none of my sin has ever surprised Christ, and yet he still called me to be his (although this is not an excuse to sin). Since Philippians 1:6 is true, I can trust that he will never leave me nor forsake me as he completes the good work he began in me. The more I understand what he has done and is doing to sanctify me, I find my heart actually changing. That is, I begin to despise my sin and resist it more successfully. It's a process, but it's also nothing short of a miracle what God does to a heart of stone when he calls it to become a heart of flesh. -David
ReplyDeleteThanks again for speaking into a post. I really appreciate your insights. Mike
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