Flee sexual immorality.

.... Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s (1 Corinthians 6:18-20). Paul had just told the Corinthians that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom,  and had pointed to all forms of sexual immorality (verse 9).  He explains that the body is the temple of the Holy spirit, and that while other sins may defile,  as it were,  the outer courts of the temple,  sexual immorality defiles the most holy place, the holy of holies.

Paul tells us that sexual immorality is among other persistent sins actually exclude a person from the Kingdom. He goes on to say “And such were some of you. But you were washed,  you were sanctified,  you were justified” (verse 11). The expectation then, is that the Christian put aside all such unrighteousness. Paul later tells the Corinthians,  whom he had lead to Christ,  that in doing so “I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.” Many of us have blown in both before and after conversion, but whether or not,  we need to see how seriously the Lord sees these things. Sex outside of one man with his wife,  is strictly prohibited for the Christian, and this purity is to extend even to the thought life. Indeed from the lips of Jesus “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). This of course includes pornography.

I am well aware that sexual immorality is rife, and is of pandemic proportions even within the church, especially pornography. I am also aware, that some, perhaps even many, may be offended by what I have written this morning.  But with Paul I have the responsibility to declare to you the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). I do not come in self righteousness this morning, for I was far from guiltless in these things. Some will say “I have the right to do anything," but as Paul says  “not everything is beneficial. I have the right to do anything --but I will not be mastered by anything” (verse 12). Also the opening verse is a clear command “flee sexual immorality.”  There are programs to help those who are addicted to these things. Celebrate Recovery at the Worship Centre, here in St. John's,  is one such program. And in Christ it is not too late,  as long as you still have breath.  

Father, please give us the revelation that when You say no, it's for our protection and  provision. We reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). We have sown to the wind,  and we're reaping the whirlwind. You tells us “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3:19). Your chastening Lord, shows us we are Your sons and daughters (Hebrews 12:5, 6).  Thank You  that  if we confess our sins, You are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).  Lord truly there is none like You, and I give You praise and glory  in Jesus Name Amen.