Joining Heaven and Hell

ALL – Psalm 31:9-18
ALL – Proverbs 21:3
OT – Ezra 10:1-44
NT – 1 Corinthians 6:1-20

Interesting passage for the day: And don’t you know that if a man joins himself to a prostitute she becomes a part of him and he becomes a part of her? For God tells us in the Scripture that in his sight the two become one person. – 1 Corinthians 6:16, The Living Bible

Thought: It’s a big deal who’s associated with us. Our alliances and unions say a lot about who we are. Why else would people boycott businesses whose practices they disagree with, if not to communicate clearly, “I am against this group!” Even without being stockholders, such people want to disassociate themselves from the possibility of seeming to have an interest in the store’s success. Our society indicates our values.

The closest physical union any human can have is the sexual bond between a man and a woman (Genesis 2:24). With whom should this bond be made? With whom should a Christian make this bond? Remember, our alliances indicate our values. Should a man who has been adopted as a son of the one true God, the holy, righteous and pure King of all Creation, a member of heaven’s family (a spiritual union), form a physical union with anyone less than the most honorable, upright, kind and virtuous woman he can find? Having sex with a brazen, unchaste prostitute does not make sense for a child of the faithful, humble God.

Christians have already been accepted into an association with God through Jesus Christ. Our association with Him says something about who we are deep in our hearts—what we value. Do we dare to associate our Lord Jesus Christ with this world’s most shameful and rebellious sinners?

Question: This principle of association applies beyond sex. But at the same time, we know from 1 Corinthians 5 that we’re expected to maintain friendships with unbelievers. What are some behaviors, activities, or entertainments that you think might associate you too closely with the shameful side of life in this world?

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