Washed, Sanctified, and Justified

1 Corinthians 6:1-20

A comedian with a popular singing group joked about immoral Christians going to heaven, despite their sinful behavior. Then he added, "Hey, I'm a Baptist!" Arminian believers would probably laugh, but it's doubtful that Baptists would find that funny.

The church at Corinth had more problems than any other church in the New Testament. Ignorance and deception were prevalent. The apostle Paul wrote, "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?" Here he addressed their ignorance. He continued, "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." 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10. See also Galatians 5:19-21. The unrighteous will not go to heaven regardless of their church affiliation or their doctrinal affirmations.

Paul added, "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." 1 Corinthians 6:11. Yes, some of the brethren in the Corinthian church had been fornicators, and the like. But they were washed in the blood of the Lamb. John wrote that Jesus "loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood." Revelation 1:5. But they were sanctified, set apart by the Holy Spirit. 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2. And they were justified, declared righteous by God. Romans 8:33. Washed, sanctified, and justified!

It is true that Jesus did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance. Matthew 9:13. Even the apostle Paul, a religious zealot who persecuted the church, called himself the chief of sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15. Jesus does save sinners. He only saves those who acknowledge their sin and need of Him.

Evangelistic services often end with the singing of the invitation hymn, Just As I Am. It's a wonderful hymn.

"Just as I am without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come! I come!"

We come to the Lord just as we are, sinners in need of salvation and forgiveness. He accepts us just as we are. But He doesn't leave us that way! No! We are washed in the blood, sanctified by the Spirit, and justified by God. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17. The evidence of conversion is a changed life. Conversion without change is no conversion at all.

Heavenly Father, what a wonderful change in our lives has been wrought, since Jesus came into our hearts! We have no desire to wallow in the mire. Be glorified through our lives. In Jesus' name. Amen!

Paul's Marriage Manual - 1 Corinthians 7

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