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“Do you not know?” - Part 3
“Do you not know?” - Part 3 By Derek Long
Over the last couple of weeks we have been examining passages where the question, “Do you not know?” appears. Each of these passages is calling upon us to recognize a certain truth and apply the truth to our lives. We will continue this study in our bulletin this week. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 says, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God” (NKJV). Christians should know the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God. However, it is sometimes possible for Christians to be deceived into thinking such is not true. Today, there are individuals who would teach a person can engage in unrighteousness and as long as they were saved in the past they will inherit the kingdom of God. Such is clearly false when we examine this verse. It is also possible for Christians to be deceived into thinking certain things are not wrong which God’s word condemns. Many people today teach the behaviors listed in these verses are acceptable to God. We need to remember such behaviors as fornication, adultery, homosexuality, drinking, etc. will keep a person out of heaven. If we know the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God, we should be careful to avoid unrighteous behavior in our lives! The second half of 1 Corinthians 6 addresses the sinfulness of fornication. God reminds us of things we ought to know which help us see the sinfulness of fornication. 1 Corinthians 6:15-16, 19 say, “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For ‘the two,’ He says, ‘shall become one flesh.’ … 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?” (NKJV). Christians need to remember their bodies belong to Christ and they are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Our bodies are not ours to do what we want to with but rather belong to God and should be used to glorify Him. Sexual immorality joins a person to a harlot and separates them from their relationship with God. As a result of these facts Christians should be aware of, Christians need to avoid fornication. 1 Corinthians 9:13 asks the question, “Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar?” (NKJV). Paul brings to the Corinthians’ attention the fact the Old Testament priests were supported by the offerings made upon the altar. In a similar way, Paul points out the appropriateness of preachers being supported for the work they do in spreading the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:14). 1 Corinthians 9:24 compares the Christian life to a race and says, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it” (NKJV). We know in a race every participant runs but only one wins. As Christians, we need to run the Christian race in such a way as though there was only going to be only one winner. We cannot afford to put in some halfhearted effort and expect to make it. We must put our all into the race if we hope to receive the imperishable crown as our reward. 2 Corinthians 13:5 reminds us to, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? - unless indeed you are disqualified” (NKJV). We need to constantly examine ourselves to make sure our lives are matching the teachings of the faith. Jesus dwells in the faithful and yet if we are not living as we ought He will not dwell in us. Let’s constantly be making sure we have not become disqualified. Finally, James 4:4 says, “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (NKJV). God and the world are at enmity with one another. If we want to be friends with the world, we make ourselves an enemy of God. Christians should not seek to fit in with the world around them but instead be completely loyal to God and be transformed by His word (Romans 12:1-2). Hopefully these passages help us to realize some things God expects us to know about various topics!
- Bulletin_-_7_19_20224.pdf (49.31 kB)
