Knowing God - 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

(from Pastor)

Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God?

Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites,

thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers—

none of these will inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10

 

Ouch. Don't you hate judgment? I'll bet all of us can find a place or two where we don't want to fit into this list -- or other lists -- for judgment.

 

Fortunately, Paul -- nor God -- leaves us "dead, doomed, and sinful." (Those three words are my summary of the first few verses of Ephesians 2. Blessedly, Paul chimes in with a healing word -- "but." Paul celebrates, "But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.")

 

First Corinthians gives us hope with a "but" too! Paul says, "11 There was a time when some of you were just like that, but now your sins have been washed away ..." Paul is not saying that these sins doom us to hell. He's saying faith saves us from two things: 1) damnation and 2) a life that has to be controlled by these and other sins. God's love can save us from bondage to sin.

 

Now ... IMPORTANT POINT ... when you see someone doing any of these sins, don't think, say, judge or imply that these people will not inherit the kingdom of God.

 

For one, we can't expect non-Christians to behave like Christians; therefore, use this as an opportunity for evangelism!!! Introduce them to the love and joy of faith in Jesus Christ -- love and joy, not judgment. And then let Jesus do the working on their faith, life, and behavior.

 

Second, even good, faithful, saved Christians will fall back into the pit of sin. It doesn't mean we're not saved. Therefore, don't ever presume or pronounce judgment on a person! Just love them more. Yes, there is a time when we need to hold a friend accountable -- that's what friends do -- but make sure you develop the friendship enough that they'll hear love first last and always. And only then speak a word of encouragement and accountability! 

 

If we judge, we're pretending that we're God. Let's simply love others into the hands of the one who "is so rich in mercy ... and ... love[s] us so very much, that even [when] we [are] dead because of our sins, he [will give] us life when he raised Christ from the dead."

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who needs to wear less black and more red

(black robes are for judges, red makes me look like a big Valentine)

 

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Accountability. That is a word I have used more often the past two months than ever before in my life.  The recovery world is a place of raw emotion, slipping, hard work and the need for accountability. Thing is - it is very hard to find people who are willing to do that. People who can take time out of there busy lives to help hold another accountable.  It is so easy to say we love. to spout our ideals. but to actually show it. to put feet to it. that is the hard part.  

Ever since I have started treatment for depression and PTSD I feel like I have a huge scarlet letter on my forehead. I am 'one of those.' I am messed up. a wreck. I actually dared to admit that I am flawed and struggling. I am my own harshest critic, but it is a recording that plays in my head constantly. Not only do we need others to keep us accountable, but we need other Christians to help us remember God's mercy and grace. his forgiveness. his love. especially his love.