“Do you not know?” (1 Corinthians 6:3)
After confronting the Corinthians on immoral practices, Paul took dead aim at the lawsuits that were springing up between believers. Evidently, they were finding it hard to resolve their disputes as brothers and sisters in Christ and were resorting instead to the Roman legal system. So Paul asked three times “Do you not know … ?” to remind them of what life is supposed to be like when it is marked by the presence of the Holy Spirit!
What about you? Do you not know that the gospel is “the power of God for … salvation” (Romans 1:16)? Do you not know that you were “washed … sanctified … and justified in the name of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 6:11)? Do you not know that you really can “put away” your “old self” and “put on the new self,” created to be like God (Ephesians 4:22,24)? Of course you do! You just need to keep these central truths of the gospel in the forefront of your mind. Then you’ll find God’s presence and his power filling your heart.
Losing sight of the gospel not only waters down our experience of God’s presence, it also opens the door to other problems. Paul had to remind the Corinthians that they belonged to Christ not just so that they would have a more positive outlook but so that they would begin treating one another with respect. Paul knew that if they drew on the power of the Spirit they would find it so much easier to resolve their disputes peacefully and lovingly.
This episode from the Corinthian church tells us how much we need the Holy Spirit. When we ask him to help keep us clear on the “Do-younot-know” truths of Christianity, our lives change. We develop a heavenly perspective that keeps us joyful despite our trouble. We naturally seek to be generous in our relationships. We are more able to let go of grudges and to forgive as Jesus has forgiven.
The gospel brings fullness of life, not just more of the same old life. So lift up your heart to the Lord and ask him to give you an even deeper revelation of all that is yours in Christ.
“Thank you, Father, for revealing the gospel of power, of transformation, and of freedom. Empower me, Lord, to live in the fullness of this gospel.”
Psalm 149:1-6, 9; Luke 6:12-19