Such Were Some of You

By Clifton Angel

"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Corinthians 6:9–10).

    We see it happening all around us. And we see it so much so that we may be tempted to become contempt and avoid anyone who is involved in such and refuse to help them. We may be tempted to become complacent and do not see the need to help anyone who is involved in such. And we may be tempted to become corrupt and be involved again with these ourselves. I say "again" because of the words in the next verse: such were some of you (1 Corinthians 6:11). "But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:11).

    If we have been washed in the blood of Jesus, let us realize the great mercy, love, and graciousness that God has shown toward us through Him. Let us never become corrupt again. Let us never become complacent to where we do not do not see the need to help anyone who is involved in such. Let us never become contempt so that we avoid anyone who is involved in such and refuse to help them.

    Maybe you've yet to be washed in the blood. Jesus washes our sins in his blood (Revelation 1:5). Jesus washes away our sins when we submit to baptism (Acts 22:16). But baptism must be preceded by, hearing God's Word (Romans 10:17), believing that Jesus is the Christ (John 8:24), repenting of your past life of sin (2 Corinthians 7:10), and confessing your faith in Jesus (Romans 10:10).

- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/