DON’T DENY YOUR DELIVERANCE

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

1Co 6:9 Or do you not yet get it — the fact that unrighteous ones will not be inheriting the kingdom coming from God? Do not be led astray! Neither those committing sexual sin, nor those worshipping images, nor those committing adultery, nor either partner in a homosexual couple,

1Co 6:10 nor thieves, nor greedy people, nor alcoholics, nor abusive people, nor swindlers — none of these will be inheriting the coming kingdom from God,

1Co 6:11 and some of you used to be these things, but you have now been washed, but you have now been made holy, but you have now been justified by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the Spirit of our God.

used to be

Paul was addressing the fact that the church in Corinth was still acting like it had not been saved.  They were feeding on each other’s weaknesses by taking each other to court and swindling them of their property.  Paul backed up and reminded them that they used to be like that, but a fundamental change had taken place.  The sins which once defined them did not do so anymore!

Look at Paul’s list.  The world tells us that we have to identify with these sins. The faith insists that we do not.  It is our choice.  But true freedom cannot come from staying in bondage.  True faith does not deny what the blood of Christ did.

LORD, give us the courage to renounce the old sinful lifestyles that we have been redeemed out of.