The Blessed Hope Podcast -- with Dr. Kim Riddlebarger

"Flee From Sexual Immorality" Season Three/Episode Eleven (1 Corinthians 6:12-20)

May 22, 2024

Explore the challenges faced by early Christians in Corinth, where sexual immorality was rampant. Discover how they misunderstood Christian freedom, thinking it allowed for indulgence. Delve into Paul's teachings on why our bodies matter—they're temples of the Holy Spirit bought at a price. Learn how sexual unions go beyond physical connections, creating lasting spiritual bonds. Finally, understand the urgent call to flee from immorality and live in a way that honors God with our bodies.

48:23

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INSIGHT

Freedom From Law, Not From Obedience

Christian liberty is freedom from legalism, not freedom to indulge the flesh without restraint.
Kim Riddlebarger argues freedom should lead to obedience and gratitude, not antinomianism.

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INSIGHT

Local Culture Shapes Misused Theology

Corinth's sexual culture made pagan practices a constant temptation for new Christians.
Riddlebarger shows how local customs warped theology into slogans that excused licentiousness.

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ADVICE

Practice Prudence With Christian Freedom

Cultivate prudence to enjoy Christian freedom without becoming enslaved by it.
Riddlebarger recommends self-discipline, discretion, and Spirit-enabled self-control in applying liberty.

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Corinth's Sexual Culture and the Problem

02:48 • 4min

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Misuse of 'All Things Are Lawful'

07:16 • 5min

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Freedom: Not a License to Indulge

11:53 • 8min

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Food, Stomach, and the Body for the Lord

19:26 • 2min

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Resurrection Affirms Bodily Value

21:52 • 3min

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Bodies Will Be Raised with Christ

24:31 • 5min

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Union with Prostitutes is Union with Idols

29:31 • 2min

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Sex Creates Lasting Union, Not Casual Acts

Flee from Sexual Immorality

34:02 • 9min

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Bodies as Temples and Purchased by Christ

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Episode Synopsis:

It has been said that prostitution is the world’s old profession. In reality, tending a garden and naming animals is. But if you lived in first century Corinth you lived in a city well-known for its prostitutes and rampant sexual immorality. This creates a difficult situation for Christians who live there and who have been taught by Paul that sexual relations are limited to marriage.

Paul has learned that some in the Corinthian church justified using the services of prostitutes by contending that Christian liberty allows it–the same excuse some were giving for eating food sacrificed to idols. Yes, the temptations Christians faced were real and many engaged in such behavior before their conversion. But as Paul has taught them, Christians must break with their pagan past and resist the pressure to continue to give into all bodily desires and urges. Yes, Christians are free from law-keeping as a means of justification, but such freedom entails freedom to obey the commands of God, not freedom to indulge in seeking to satisfy every bodily urge.

Paul reminds the Corinthians that they have been bought by a price (the shed blood of Jesus Christ) and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. A Christian is no longer a slave to sin and now is a bond servant of Jesus Christ. Their bodies belong to their creator-redeemer. Paul asks, “how can someone in union with Jesus Christ unite themselves in a sexual union with someone who represents pagan religion and spirituality?” Such a thing is unthinkable for Paul.

For show notes and other recommended materials located at the Riddleblog as mentioned during the Blessed Hope Podcast, click here: https://www.kimriddlebarger.com/

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