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

This list of sins that would disqualify us and keep us out of Heaven is both specific and broad enough that it doesn’t let many slip through, but it’s not even an exhaustive list; it’s presented as a list of the kinds of sins that become habitual, life-dominating behavior.

God’s call to repentance is loud and clear, but always with His call to repentance comes the word of hope: “and such were some of you!”

“Were” means “used-to-be but not any more.” It means redeemed, forgiven, saved and delivered from these life-dominating sinful habits.

And then He clarifies what he means: 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.

When you go to church you don’t know the back story of the people you see there. You only see the result of redemption and salvation. As a Pastor I probably get to know more of those back stories than most ever do, and that’s a good thing; what we were is done, over with, and nobody’s business, unless we choose to share the story.

But here’s the call again, at the end of the chapter: ”You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

Leave it behind; It’s been paid for and forgiven. Leave it behind; you’ve been washed. Leave it behind; you’ve been sanctified, set apart, made holy. A new life is yours, now.

Lord Jesus, thank You for redeeming me. Thank You for saving me from the old life and setting me apart to be Yours. Lord, keep me close, today! Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles