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.
Links:
