But now, you believe! 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

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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.
 It's easy to get stuck on that first verse. Neither the sexually immoral, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality ... will inherit the kingdom of God. Paul doesn't mince his words, does he? The sexually immoral are destined for hell, we like to say. God has a special place for men who practice homosexuality, we like to say. Make no mistake, the words are black and white.

But don't stop there.

Neither the idolaters, nor the thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

God is talking to me. God is talking to you. So you have never visited a pornographic website, you say? So you have never fantasized about having sex with a man, you say? But have you broken the other nine commandments?

  • Thou shalt have no other God before me (Exo 20:3)
  • Thou shall not worship an idol (Exo 20:4)
  • Thou shall not commit adultery (Exo 20:14)
  • You shall not steal (Exo 20:15), or covet (Exo 20:17), or lie, or cheat, or get drunk (Pro 23:20). 
Scriptures clearly set apart sexual sins, but make no mistake, all who sin will be left out in the cold where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt 8:12, 13:43, 13:50, 22:13, 24:51 and 25:30). But there is good news for those who get drunk, lie, cheat, covet, steal, commit adultery, worship an idol, bow down to other Gods, who commit abominable acts against nature. God is calling you.
I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,"
and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Selah (Psalm 32:5)
More than that, when you confess your sins -- when you believe -- God who is faithful and just will forgive your sins (1 John 1:9).

Which brings me to the real reason I am writing about 1 Corinthians 6 today, too often we forget who Paul is writing to. 
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.
And such were some of you, you who believe. You who believe, at one time, were the sexually immoral, but you have turned to God. You who believe were idolaters. But you, like the Israelites in the desert, turned to God. You who believe were liars and tax cheats. But you turned to God.

You turned to God, didn't you?

You believe, don't you?

Because that is all God is asking.

Just believe. And turn to God.

Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O Israel? (Ezekiel 33:11) I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. (Ezekiel 36:25)

Just believe.


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