Thanks to Calvary

⁹ 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,

¹⁰ Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

¹¹ 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 Corinthians 6:9-11 (KJV)

The Corruption of Sinners is Exposed      

In verses 9-10, Paul describes the corrupt condition of the lost sinner.

We see a lost condition.
The reason for our lost condition is that we were unrighteous. (Romans 3:10) The word “unrighteous” simply means that we were unjust. The result of our lost condition is that we were not an heir to the kingdom of God. We were cut off from God in this life and the life to come. (Ephesians 2:12) Because we were unrighteous, we lived a life of unrighteousness. Our condition was manifested in our conduct.

In verse 9, Paul speaks of those who lived a life of sexual corruption:

• Fornicators, adulterers – it can also refer to those who live lives of unfaithfulness before the Lord!
• Effeminate and abusers of themselves with mankind – those who lived a life of homosexuality, transvestic, and other gender perversions.

Also in verse 9, Paul speaks of those who lived a life of spiritual corruption:

• Idolaters – those who worshiped and bowed down to false gods and false religious systems.

In verse 10, Paul continues his list and speaks of those who lived a life of social corruption:

• Thieves – those who steal and take away from others.
• Covetous – those who in a greedy fashion desire what others have.
• Drunkards – those who are bound by alcohol and strong drink.
• Revilers – those who destroy with their tongues and wound with their words.
• Extortioners – those who steal indirectly and take unfair advantage of others.

All men are dead in trespasses and sins. The only difference is the state of decay! (Ephesians 2:1-3) The truth is we are righteous NOT because of what we have done but His Righteousness that was imputed to us.

The Change in The Saints is Exalted

What kind of change was Paul speaking of in their life?

There has been a positional change.

We were “unrighteous” positionally and, therefore, lost. We were not an heir of the kingdom of God. But salvation has made a change in that condition.

Paul declared in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Paul also declared in Romans 8:17, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” I am now righteous in Jesus Christ and a joint-heir in Christ. This is the positional change in our lives.

There is a personal change also.

Salvation produced a marvelous change in how we lived. Some used to be a drunkard but now they are a faithful layman. Some used to be convicts with a bad name, but now they are Christians with a blessed name. Some used to be an embarrassment to the family, but now they are the envy of the family. Some used to be the talk of the community, but now they are the talk of the church. Some used to curse, but now they shout like saints.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Look at the life of Apostle Paul. He was once a great persecutor of the Christians (see Acts 9:13) What can make such a drastic turnaround and difference? It is the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ!

The Condition of The Saints is Examined

We are complete in Christ. Paul says in verse 11, “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.”

This word indicates the extent of the changes which have taken place. It made no difference what the Corinthians had been before they came to know Jesus, all that mattered at this point was what they had become because of His work in them.

We see how God cleansed us.

Paul says, “but ye are washed.” He is talking about the new birth. (John 3:3)  When a sinner comes to Jesus by faith, that sinner is regenerated, not through personal effort, but through the grace and mercy of the Lord. (Titus 3:5)

If you are troubled and tortured by your past, then remember that God has “washed” you. The word “wash” speaks of that which has been purified. All the pollution of a past life has been purged and life purified.

The idea is that when we responded to the message of the Gospel by faith and as a result, we were washed. Salvation is of the Lord, but He requires a faith response from the sinner! God has done everything necessary to save you, all that remains is believing the Gospel message by faith.

We see how God claims us.

Paul says, “but ye are sanctified.” The word “sanctified” speaks of that which has been set apart for God. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

We see how God considers us.

Paul says, “but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” The word “justified” speaks of our standing before God. When God considers us, He no longer considers us, fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate, abusers of ourselves with mankind, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, extortioners, but as righteous in His Son the Lord Jesus. God no longer looks at us as what we used to be as sinners, but what we are in His Son.

In Christ, we have been declared righteous. Salvation has provided all we need to be complete in Christ.