Sunday, July 13, 2014

WHAT DOES YOUR PICTURE LOOK LIKE?


by Glenn Hitchcock
In the sixth chapter of the Book of First Corinthians the apostle Paul reminds Christians of their past and present problem of sin. “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor 6:9-11). A fitting question for our consideration: What does our picture look like when it comes to the practice of sin?

Far too many occasions have evolved where men and women have simply continued in sin quoting a favorite refrain, “we are only human!” or “everyone else is doing it!” Please examine the Corinthians through the inspired word as answer for yourself.
Pictures of Committed Sins (I Cor. 6:9-10)
The God of Heaven will note every act of unrighteousness. It is easy to make excuses, but in that day no excuse will suffice. “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom 14:11-12).
It is a deception to think fornicators will escape the wrath of God and yet, ours is an age where fornication is almost the rule rather than the exception. When young men and woman’s intentions escalate - instead of marriage they simply live together as if they were married! Many simply ignore God’s call for sexual purity: “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge” (Heb. 13:4).
It is a deception to think idolatry will not be judged. The covetousness of this society has permeated the church of Christ and God will require a reckoning! The sin of idolatry is not worshiping an inanimate object, but it includes the animate objects as well. Whatever it is that restricts us from our service to Jehovah will restrict us from heaven.
Homosexuality in all of its sinfulness debauchery may seem perfectly innocent and acceptable in man’s society, but not in God’s (Rom.1:26-27; 1 Tim.1:10)! Dishonesty, drunkenness and fraud may seem a good thing, but these are also pictures of committed sins. What does your picture look like?
Pictures of Cleansed Sins (I Cor. 6:11)
It is still very true and acceptable that mankind does not have to languish in their sins. We have a Mighty Redeemer who is just waiting for us to move toward obedience. “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:8-9).
We have all been there. As Paul states: “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Cor. 6:11). We have all committed sin and standing between our just punishment and justification for our sins is the Lamb of God (John 1:29; Rom. 5:15).  Truly there is no greater life to be lived than as a Christian whose sins are cleansed. The wonderful gift of eternal security to the Christian who will continue to walk in the light (1 Jno. 1:7-9). 
The longsuffering and patience of God is waiting for you to make a choice, select life in the Son. Let each of us examine ourselves carefully and avoid missing out on heaven by becoming obedient to all of the will of God. Sins are not cleansed without faith (Heb. 11:6). Sins are not cleansed without repentance (Lk. 13:3; 2 Cor. 7:10). Sins are not purged without confessing the name of Christ with our mouth (Rom. 10:9-10). Baptism is necessary to the cleansing of our sins (Acts 22:16). Have you complied with these commands of God? What does your picture look like? 

Glenn’s bio: Glenn preaches and also serves as one of the elders for the Warner Robins church of Christ in Warner Robins, GA.  Glenn also serves as a staff member of the Georgia School of Preaching & Biblical Studies Middle GA campus at Warner Robins.

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