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Our past is the “used to be me,” but thankfully, we don’t live in the past. As Christians, we have been changed by the powerful work of Jesus! Check this out.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. 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.

Today’s passage does not say that any person who has sinned will be barred from the kingdom of God. If that were the case, heaven would be empty except for the Trinity. Scripture is clear that all of us have sinned. The “unrighteous” in these verses refers to those whose lives are characterized by sin apart from Christ. The “unrighteous” have not been “washed,” “sanctified,” and “justified.”  Without Jesus, they continue to live in and live out their sin.

Paul’s list that describes a life of habitual sin is long but not exhaustive. Included with idolaters, adulterers, and drunkards are “men who practice homosexuality.” Those who continue this course of life are living as those who don’t know God. And those who don’t know God through Jesus will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But for the believer, a change has occurred. Following the list of sinful lifestyles, Paul adds, “And such were some of you.” But no longer! Jesus has washed you from past sin. Jesus has set you apart for himself. You are “sanctified.” And Jesus has declared you, “Not guilty!” You are “justified.” You are not the person you used to be. You are a new creation in Jesus. The old is gone, and the new has come through the “Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” Thank God for his cleansing, sanctifying, and justifying grace!

Father, we must speak clearly regarding sin. Help us speak clearly and boldly in love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.