This is a phrase common to the people of Corinth in the days of Apostle Paul and certainly not uncommon in our days, only that it is phrased differently, like “It’s my life, I can live it however I want” or “being happy is all that matters” or “do whatever makes you happy, no one cares about what anybody else thinks” etc, there are a myriad of common phrases like these today, so it’s not much different from the days of Paul.
Another popular saying in Corinth was “food for the tummy and tummy for food”; which will be like saying “well what is food for, if it is not to be eaten” or “it is foolishness to have food and go hungry” etc. While these sayings may be partly true in general, it is far from the truth for us as believers because we are under a completely different law, which does not so much apply to the general world. All things are definitely not lawful for us, and yes food is not always for the body and our bodies are certainly not made just for food.
We cannot live like anybody else because for us, life ceases to be ordinary the moment we professed Christ as Lord. Our lives automatically become the abode of His Spirit. We become citizens of heaven, called, justified and awaiting glorification. Therefore, our lives should have no ties with whatever this Godless world holds as normal. We are no longer to live as though our bodies are made for food (self-indulgence) or as if everything is lawful for us (live however we want). Hebrews 13:9 says our hearts are strengthened by grace and not by food, we live by the word of God and not by how many things we consume and accumulate.
Our lives are guided and shaped by a new law, the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus and in it, there is no spiritual ground whatsoever, for un-forgiveness, divisiveness and immorality. The weights Hebrews 12:1 spoke about may not necessarily be what is generally classed as sin specifically, in fact they may be those things that are in of themselves beneficial to our well-being but, if in due diligence, we passed them under the scrutiny of the law of the Spirit, they will become to us as chaffs and unnecessary pressures that should be instantly shed off.
Galatians 5:25 informs that since then we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit. Even though we may not be able to control the corruptive nature of the world around us and all, walking in/ following the Spirit will help to solve the conflicts within us as well as the conflicts with other people so that we are kept fit to stand out displaying His fruit in abundance for the world to see and to the glory of God’s name. Amen.
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