“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
The Bible gives us both Law and Gospel.
The Law is that part of God’s Word where He tells us what He requires us to be and do, what we must not be or do, and the consequences of obedience or disobedience. The Gospel is that part of His Word that tells us what Jesus has done for us, so that in spite of our sin and all the natural consequences of that sin, God is ready to forgive, cleanse, restore, renew and save us. The words “...and such were some of you” tell us that in the church at Corinth, just like in our church and every other Christian congregation in the world, you will find former slaves of every sort of sinful behavior who have been washed in the blood of Jesus, called away from sin and set apart by the work of the Holy Spirit, and declared not guilty because of what Jesus has done for us. Jesus saves. He forgives, delivers, and makes us new still today. We have been sanctified; set apart for God to do with us what He wants. We are not yet perfect, not yet a finished work, but we are His own. Lord Jesus, thank You for redeeming me. Thank You for looking on me as though I had never sinned, washing away the stains of my guilt and declaring me Your own. Fulfill Your purpose in me, and in Your church here in this place. Keep me close to You today. Amen. Pastor Dan Giles