This Is What You Used To Be Like

In Paul’s letter to Corinth, he writes:  “Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be deceived: No sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, or anyone practicing homosexuality, no thieves, greedy people, drunkards, verbally abusive people, or swindlers will inherit God’s kingdom.  And some of you used to be like this. 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.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) Make no mistake, God’s inspired Word condemns the homosexual lifestyle along with all other forms of sexual sin! But, don’t make it a bigger sin than God does! Despite attempts to “explain away” this text, there is not one passage of Scripture anywhere that indicates that God has changed His mind about homosexual behavior.

Sin Defined

And, let me just expand on that a little bit—because He ALONE is God, He has the right to declare “sin” to be whatever He determines it to be. He alone is the divine lawgiver! If He declared it “sin” to drive a pink car than sin it is! If He declared it “sin” to be a football fan than sin it would be! God has created everything with a divine order. Because of our sin & rebellion, in the garden, our natural bent from conception is self-will and rebellion (Psalm 51:5).

God Is Not A “Kill Joy”

It’s futile to fight against Him (Psalm 2). We can try & play God with our life! We can rebel against Him by practicing a homosexual lifestyle, or, any of the other 8 sins mentioned here; but, we’re not gonna win! The only acceptable response to God is the “unconditional surrender” of our will & all our ways to Him—Not grudgingly! God is not the big “kill joy” in the sky! His commandments are for our good! He is benevolent & “well-intended” toward us! And, everyone who submits to His will & to His way find ultimate joy in their obedience—despite the difficulty overcoming addictive behaviors! “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome”—1 John 5:3

The Key Word

It’s the “practice” of homosexual behavior that is damning! God does not eternally condemn a sexually immoral “act”. He’s not condemning to hell anyone who’s ever been guilty of idolatry, adultery, homosexual behavior; or, anyone who’s ever stolen, been greedy, drunk or verbally abusive! Or, NONE of us could be saved! The condemnation is for “practicing” a “lifestyle” that God condemns! An unwillingness to confess it as sin—to agree with God about it! —1 Cor. 6:9-11

Come Back Next Week: When we conclude this series on “Sexually Immoral”