JESUS HAS WASHED, SANCTIFIED AND JUSTIFIED US
SCRIPTURE:
“The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters. 9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. 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.” (1Corinthians 6:7—11)
OBSERVATION:
Paul contrasted the Christian’s life to their previous life and to their new life. Paul listed out what the past life for a believer used to be. Paul said, not all but some of them were passive and actively involved in the list of lifestyles that we so no longer be involved in. Paul addresses these believers’ attitude in dealing with lawsuits against each other. These believers were also diving a double standard life.
They defrauded each other. They were living in lifestyles that are contradicting a godly life. Paul emphatically pointed out that all those who are involve in lifestyles that he pointed out will not inherit the kingdom of God. Paul is not condemning everyone, but believers who knows the truth of God and yet chooses to life anyway they want.
Paul said that “SOME OF THEM WERE ONCE” living in ways they want to, but this is no longer the case. Paul said, you are NO LONGER this way. I love how Paul then brings in the hope of the power of the gospel of Jesus that has changed people. Paul encourages the Corinthians believers that THEY ARE NO LONGER THAT WAY. They may have been that way before they knew Jesus, but NOW, they are NO LONGER THAT WAY.
For they have been,
- Washed
- Sanctified
- Justified
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. This is the gospel message that is so important to me as a believer. How do I know that I must NO longer my life anyway I want? By understanding what Christ has already done for me. I am washed by His blood and forgiven of all the sins of my past life. I have been made pure and righteous by the blood of Jesus. This is very important for every Christians to know.
Sanctification is vital to walking in a new life in Jesus. It is my choice to walk in the life opposite of what Paul listed out. It is to walk away from a life of sin that will prevent me from walking in the full power of a godly life. I was once a proud participator in the life Paul said, will not inherit the kingdom of God. But I have made a personal choice to follow God’s life being washed and sanctify and justify by God. Washed, Sanctify and Justified are all acts of God. My lifestyles are all my choices of what I want my life to be. We all have a choice here, choose God’s life or your own lifestyle.
For these are two kingdoms at odd with each other. Those who love sexually immoral lives, same sex encounters, greedy, thieves, drunkards, slanderers, swindlers are opposing to any godly influences. These groups according to Paul do not want anything of the kingdom of God. This is their choice. But it is not for believers, because some of them were in those same lifestyles. So it is a person’s choice whether to accept what God lays out for a godly life or what they want to pursuit and live with as their personal lifestyle. Paul contrasted a life that will INHERIT THE KINGDOM of God and the life that won’t. I can argue about it, disagree with it, but at the end, it is my choice. The two lives are contrasting against each other and one is right for the kingdom and the other is not. You and I are WASHED, SANCTIFIED, AND JUSTIFIED BY JESUS AND THE SPIRIT OF GOD.
APPLICATION:
I choose to walk in humility and accept God’s condition for inheriting his kingdom. I am grateful that he has WASHED ME, SANCTIFIED ME, AND JUSTIFIED ME through my Lord Jesus and the Spirit of God in me. I will continue to live in the life that God has chosen for those who will inherit His kingdom.
PRAYER:
Jesus, I am grateful for the life that you have given me. Thank you for washing me, sanctifying and justifying me through your work on the cross. Thank you for reminding me of the important of the choices I have in life. Teach me to fear you and to obey your word and not choosing the lifestyle I think its right for me. Teach me to live a holy and acceptable life to you. Amen!
