“All things are lawful for me,” Paul writes, “but not all things are profitable (1 Cor 6:12 NASB).” What an amazing affirmation of the freedom we have in Christ but also a warning that this is not a freedom to abuse in order to gratify personal desires – there are consequences to all our decisions in life.

We get the impression that the saying “I can do whatever I like” may have been a catch phrase at Corinth (sound familiar today?). The phrase shows up twice in succession in this verse and also twice in succession later in 10:23. The Corinthian believers had abused and misunderstood this Christian freedom in Paul’s absence. Many were indulging in gluttony and sexual immorality (6:13). Yet Paul didn’t deny such freedom, in principle, nor did he wash his hands of them. Would these believers turn their lives around, given this freedom, and live their lives for God’s glory with a bit of patience? Would they learn from their mistakes and become richer in faith for it?

Some may have heard of the famous John Ruskin (1819-1900); a leading art critic of his era and a very clever social thinker. He recalled, as a child, asking if he could touch a boiling kettle on their range. The maid immediately jumped to attention to prevent him from doing so insisting that he will do himself some harm. Ruskin’s mother interjected and told the maid to let him as she could see how determined he was. Consequently Ruskin says he didn’t ask for such liberties again for a long time! Somehow this experience contributed greatly to his independence of thought and his ability to critique his own culture with honesty and understanding. He became richer for his mistakes made within the liberties afforded him.

With such freedom offered, to such fallen creatures as we, there are risks involved. Such freedom can be abused. But also, such freedom, even when mistakes and misjudgements may be made along the way, can produce in us a genuine love for Christ that is not manufactured or compelled.

What Grace is this that gives us the freedom to love Him!”

Maranatha!

Pastor Newrick