All things are lawful?

We return to the first epistle to the Corinthians again. Today, we read chapter 6. A lot of theological concepts have been packed within these 20 verses.
First of all, disputes arose among the Corinthian community. Some members did not settle their disputes within the community. Rather, they brought their grievances to Roman court of justice. They tried to summon the support of outsiders to defeat their rivals within the Church! Paul was very angry about such actions. He thought that Christians were called to be saints while people outside the church were unrighteous in the sight of God. How could they drag their brethren, who were saints, to be tortured by these unrighteous outsiders (1 Corinthians 6:1-6)?
This was exactly what happened to Shung Tak last year. If you argue that your reporting the case to ICAC was the right thing to do because you were doing your civic obligation and that you were a good citizen because you have rendered to Caesar what belonged to Caesar etc., you are dead wrong. Haven't you read the next part of the verse: to God what belongs to God (Mark 12:17)? Which is more important, to be a good citizen of Hong Kong, or to be a good citizen of the Kingdom of God? What does not belong to God? Are the School Managers too incompetent to handle the case?
Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? (1 Corinthians 6:7b)
It is a pity to see you abusing your authority. St. Paul told us not to call upon outsiders to settle internal disputes. Probably, you were not even aware of his teaching in this chapter.
This chapter is rich in texture and touch on your life. There are 6 rhetorical questions. Namely,
Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? (1 Corinthians 6:2a)
Do you not know that we are to judge angels? (1 Corinthians 6:3a)
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? (1 Corinthians 6:9a)
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? (1 Corinthians 6:15a)
Do you not know that he who joins himself to a prostitute becomes one body with her? (1 Corinthians 6:16a)
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? (1 Corinthians 6:19a)
Some of these points are very Jewish. For example, judging the world and judging angels. It was news to me. It is the first time I heard that we are to judge angels. Amazing isn't it? I am sure we do not have the authority and capacity to do so. But since the Son had become men and raised their standard above angels before God, there is nothing capable of preventing us from reaching out to God.
The point about prostitutes is common sense but Jewish enough. It is based on Genesis 2:24.
Again, the point about the unrighteous not inheriting the Kingdom of God is common sense. Yet, the concept of inheriting the Kingdom of God is very Christian.
The remaining 2 points are Christian: members of the Mystic Body of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit.
This epistle was probably written early after his conversion. Paul was still half-Christian, half-Jewish.
"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything (1 Corinthians 6:12).
Thanks Paul for leaving us with these memorable one-liners. Yes, we are free to do anything, but the consequences of some of them are harmful. Think thrice before you leap.

My dear Advocate, open our eyes to see the right things to do; our hearts to love our brethren. Amen.