Post by Paws on Nov 25, 2011 0:03:22 GMT 12.75
Stole this from JRs Face Book missive this morning.
ý1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (NKJV), “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 homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. Let’s look for a moment at each of these sins that the Apostle Paul as he is given the Word of God in 1 CORINTHIANS 6:9-10:
1) “Fornicators” shall not inherit the kingdom of God. This term refers to those who engage in sexual activity which God has declared sinful. First, God does not declared all sexual activity as sinful in this statement. In fact, He (God) condones and even encourages lawful sexual activity according to His design and purpose (I CORINTHIANS 7:2-4; HEBREWS 13:4). “Fornication” refers to sexual activity outside of the marriage relationship between a “man” and a “woman.” It would include premarital as well as extramarital sexual relationships of whatever duration from a one night stand to an ongoing affair. Such activity was widespread in first century Corinth. It is widespread and even encouraged today in our own society. But it matters not how socially acceptable or how openly it is practiced today, it is still unrighteous and it will keep one from entering heaven.
2) “Idolaters” shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Those who offer to themselves or others what belongs unto God are “idolaters.” A person's “idol” might be a huge image carved out of stone before which a person bows. Or it might be a person giving into their own personal desires. It is anything that a person loves more than God. “Idolatry” will keep one from entering heaven.
3) “Adulterers” shall not inherit the kingdom of God. “Adultery” seems to be more specific of a term than fornication. It is usually limited to sexual unfaithfulness to a marriage partner. “Adultery” will keep one from entering heaven. Our society tries to soften the term and label it an affair. Call it what you may, God calls it sin.
4) The “sodomites” shall not enter the kingdom of God. It refers to one who is the passive partner in a homosexual relationship. Being a “sodomite” will keep one from entering heaven.
5) “Homosexuals” shall not enter the kingdom of God. This word is used twice in the New Testament; in the text we are discussing now, as well as in I TIMOTHY 1:10. It speaks of the individual who would take the leading role in a “homosexual” relationship. It is not politically correct today to suggest that such activity is unrighteous and will keep one out of the kingdom of God, but that is what the Covenant of Jesus Christ says. Practicing “homosexuality” will keep one from entering heaven.
6) “Thieves” shall not enter the kingdom of God. There is no excuse for taking that which rightfully belongs to another. Whether it’s shoplifting, pilfering, short-changing or armed robbery, fraud and extortion, it is “thievery.” Whether the person doing the “stealing” is rich or poor it will still keep one from entering heaven.
7) The “covetous” will not enter the kingdom of God. This has to do with having an uncontrollable desire to possess a certain thing. It motivates one into committing sin in order to satisfy their greed. “Coveting” that which belongs to another will keep one from entering heaven.
8) “Drunkards” shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Children of God have no need to neither cloud their perspectives nor dull their senses. We must be able to think and reason clearly. “Drunkenness” causes one to lose focus and rationality. Those who give themselves over to “intoxication” will find that it keeps them from entering heaven. Yes, you can throw other mind altering and recreational drugs into this category as well.
9) “Revilers” shall not inherit the kingdom of God. There are many to speak boldly about things that they know little about. Many men and women of God have had to endure reproach for their faith. Not even the Son of God escaped verbal abuse. But they will not have to endure it forever because there will be no “revilers” in heaven.
10) “Swindlers” shall not inherit the kingdom of God. “Seducers” and “smooth talkers” of all kinds are included here. The “religious con-man” belongs to this group as well as the secular. Those who prey on others by trying to take advantage of their misfortune would also be included. “Swindlers” cannot take their ill-gotten goods with them when they leave this world, nor will they enter heaven.
Some of you may be saying, “I have done one or all of those things that were just listed, so I guess can’t go to Heaven or inherit the kingdom of God?” Look at who some of the audience was that the Apostle Paul was speaking to in the very next verse in 1 Corinthians 6:11 (NKJV), “And such were some of you. 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.” Did you catch it? "And such “were” some of you; “but” you were washed, “but” you were sanctified, “but” you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God." (I CORINTHIANS 6:11). Those sins may have been able to describe your past, “but” if Jesus is now your Savior and Lord, you will no longer take part in that old lifestyle. You see, the Christians at Corinth had been involved in these things before their conversions. During that time they had no hope at all of heaven. Also, any self-proclaimed Christian returning to such practices haven’t really made Jesus their Lord and they will not receive an eternal home with God.
If the above lifestyle describes your past, leave it in your past. Make Jesus and how He instructs you to live to be your future. The true believers at Corinth had been washed, sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. This happened when they obeyed the Gospel (God’s Word) from the heart. This obedience involves those who have come to believe in Jesus repenting of their former conduct and being baptized in the name of Christ (ACTS 2:38). Thus they had been washed (baptized), sanctified (set apart from their old manner of life and dedicated to a new purpose) and justified (declared forgiven and made righteous by God's grace). God took people who were headed toward eternal destruction, and by His power and grace had altered their direction. He continues to do so today. Those who live according to God’s purpose shall inherit the kingdom of God.
ý1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (NKJV), “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 homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. Let’s look for a moment at each of these sins that the Apostle Paul as he is given the Word of God in 1 CORINTHIANS 6:9-10:
1) “Fornicators” shall not inherit the kingdom of God. This term refers to those who engage in sexual activity which God has declared sinful. First, God does not declared all sexual activity as sinful in this statement. In fact, He (God) condones and even encourages lawful sexual activity according to His design and purpose (I CORINTHIANS 7:2-4; HEBREWS 13:4). “Fornication” refers to sexual activity outside of the marriage relationship between a “man” and a “woman.” It would include premarital as well as extramarital sexual relationships of whatever duration from a one night stand to an ongoing affair. Such activity was widespread in first century Corinth. It is widespread and even encouraged today in our own society. But it matters not how socially acceptable or how openly it is practiced today, it is still unrighteous and it will keep one from entering heaven.
2) “Idolaters” shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Those who offer to themselves or others what belongs unto God are “idolaters.” A person's “idol” might be a huge image carved out of stone before which a person bows. Or it might be a person giving into their own personal desires. It is anything that a person loves more than God. “Idolatry” will keep one from entering heaven.
3) “Adulterers” shall not inherit the kingdom of God. “Adultery” seems to be more specific of a term than fornication. It is usually limited to sexual unfaithfulness to a marriage partner. “Adultery” will keep one from entering heaven. Our society tries to soften the term and label it an affair. Call it what you may, God calls it sin.
4) The “sodomites” shall not enter the kingdom of God. It refers to one who is the passive partner in a homosexual relationship. Being a “sodomite” will keep one from entering heaven.
5) “Homosexuals” shall not enter the kingdom of God. This word is used twice in the New Testament; in the text we are discussing now, as well as in I TIMOTHY 1:10. It speaks of the individual who would take the leading role in a “homosexual” relationship. It is not politically correct today to suggest that such activity is unrighteous and will keep one out of the kingdom of God, but that is what the Covenant of Jesus Christ says. Practicing “homosexuality” will keep one from entering heaven.
6) “Thieves” shall not enter the kingdom of God. There is no excuse for taking that which rightfully belongs to another. Whether it’s shoplifting, pilfering, short-changing or armed robbery, fraud and extortion, it is “thievery.” Whether the person doing the “stealing” is rich or poor it will still keep one from entering heaven.
7) The “covetous” will not enter the kingdom of God. This has to do with having an uncontrollable desire to possess a certain thing. It motivates one into committing sin in order to satisfy their greed. “Coveting” that which belongs to another will keep one from entering heaven.
8) “Drunkards” shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Children of God have no need to neither cloud their perspectives nor dull their senses. We must be able to think and reason clearly. “Drunkenness” causes one to lose focus and rationality. Those who give themselves over to “intoxication” will find that it keeps them from entering heaven. Yes, you can throw other mind altering and recreational drugs into this category as well.
9) “Revilers” shall not inherit the kingdom of God. There are many to speak boldly about things that they know little about. Many men and women of God have had to endure reproach for their faith. Not even the Son of God escaped verbal abuse. But they will not have to endure it forever because there will be no “revilers” in heaven.
10) “Swindlers” shall not inherit the kingdom of God. “Seducers” and “smooth talkers” of all kinds are included here. The “religious con-man” belongs to this group as well as the secular. Those who prey on others by trying to take advantage of their misfortune would also be included. “Swindlers” cannot take their ill-gotten goods with them when they leave this world, nor will they enter heaven.
Some of you may be saying, “I have done one or all of those things that were just listed, so I guess can’t go to Heaven or inherit the kingdom of God?” Look at who some of the audience was that the Apostle Paul was speaking to in the very next verse in 1 Corinthians 6:11 (NKJV), “And such were some of you. 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.” Did you catch it? "And such “were” some of you; “but” you were washed, “but” you were sanctified, “but” you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God." (I CORINTHIANS 6:11). Those sins may have been able to describe your past, “but” if Jesus is now your Savior and Lord, you will no longer take part in that old lifestyle. You see, the Christians at Corinth had been involved in these things before their conversions. During that time they had no hope at all of heaven. Also, any self-proclaimed Christian returning to such practices haven’t really made Jesus their Lord and they will not receive an eternal home with God.
If the above lifestyle describes your past, leave it in your past. Make Jesus and how He instructs you to live to be your future. The true believers at Corinth had been washed, sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. This happened when they obeyed the Gospel (God’s Word) from the heart. This obedience involves those who have come to believe in Jesus repenting of their former conduct and being baptized in the name of Christ (ACTS 2:38). Thus they had been washed (baptized), sanctified (set apart from their old manner of life and dedicated to a new purpose) and justified (declared forgiven and made righteous by God's grace). God took people who were headed toward eternal destruction, and by His power and grace had altered their direction. He continues to do so today. Those who live according to God’s purpose shall inherit the kingdom of God.