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1 Corinthians 6:12

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Personal Challenge

Paul is reminding us through this letter to the Corinthians that we are no longer bound by the law because Jesus fulfilled the law. The law was given so that we might recognize how much we need Jesus. However, just because I have been freed from the constraints of the law, that doesn’t mean I should live a lawless life. Living this way quickly puts me under the control of my passions, which will pull me away from my God. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

Habakkuk 2:4

If any man should shrink back, My soul will not be well pleased in him; but the righteous shall live by My faith.

Personal Challenge

Habakkuk was having to deal with a similar issue to what Paul had to deal with many years later. The problem was those followers of God who were putting more value and credence into practicing the law than living a life of faith in God, driven by faith and a heart focused on Him. Paul’s challenge was the Judaizers that were trying to pull the new Christians back to practicing the law. God wants us to live by faith in Him. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

1 Corinthians 6:11


And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.


Encouraging Words


Paul reminds us that before we became children of God through the work of Christ we were living vile and contemptible lives. Through our baptism into Christ, the dirt of this world was washed off of us. Through our chrismation, we received the Holy Spirit and were sanctified. Through the faith of Jesus and the faith that He gives us, we are becoming justified. We are no longer what we were. Glory be to God!

Nahum 1:7

The Lord is merciful to those who wait on Him in the day of affliction, and He knows those who reverence Him.

Personal Challenge

God knows everything, especially that which we think is hidden in our hearts. Even after knowing the true nature of our hearts, He still shows us mercy, because He loves us unconditionally. How much more could we encounter His love and mercy in our lives if we were to strive to wait on Him and reverence Him the way that He deserves? Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

1 Corinthians 5:12-13
For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”

Personal Challenge

For some reason, many Christians have determined that is their responsibility to judge the world for its sins and errors. Paul reminds us that the only time that we have the right to judge another is when that person is a brother or sister in Christ and their behavior is impacting the body. Even then, we are admonished to treat our brother or sister in a loving and Christ-centered way. We must always be careful to remember that we have our own sins and faults that we can be judged for. When it comes to those outside of the body of Christ, we are commanded to love them as we love ourselves so that we might win them over to Christ. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

Jonah 2:3

and (Jonah) said:
“I cried out in my affliction to the Lord, my God,
And He heard my voice;
Out of the belly of Hades, You heard the cry of my voice.”

1 Corinthians 4:10

We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!

Personal Challenge

Paul, as well as the rest of the apostles, considered themselves to be fools, weak, and dishonored, in their position with Christ. The closer one gets to Christ the more humble they become. The closer one becomes to Christ, the more they understand their sinfulness, their insigni­ficance, and their need for Him. A prideful Christian needs to check their relationship with the living Christ. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner?

Joel 2:17-18