Epistles (written)

Friday, 27 June 2014

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

Referring to his list of those who will not inherit the kingdom of God, Paul now shows the immensity of the work of Christ, even for people who have committed such acts against Him as were mentioned in the previous two verses. He begins with, “And such were some of you.” Pick from the wicked things on this list and it may have indeed applied to any of those in Corinth. And thus, the same thought gives hope to such offenders today.

But without understanding the nature of sin, its hard to contemplate exactly what this means for each and every person in Christ. James says that “…whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10). Paul is taking the most notorious offenses and highlighting them, but James shows that any infraction of God’s law breaks the entire law, and thus we are all condemned before God. Because of this, looking down on another for whatever their sin was must be excluded.

Next Paul says, “But you were washed.” Jamieson-Fausset-Brown states, “The Greek middle voice expresses, ‘Ye have had yourselves washed.'” The tense here varies from the next two points that Paul will make, and this is not by accident. It is showing that receiving the Holy Spirit is something that must be accomplished by us through an act of faith.

We are not “regenerated in order to believe” as reformed theologians claim. The Bible, time and again, shows that we must receive Christ voluntarily; this verse shows that to be true. The Pulpit Commentary notes that, “The very object of Christ’s death had been that he might cleanse his Church “by the washing of water by the Word.” Therefore, receiving Jesus is not “a work” that merits something, but rather it is the necessary action that we must take in order to receive the gift.

In the receiving of His work, we wash ourselves by the Spirit. This then leads to Paul’s next two points which say, “but you were sanctified, but you were justified.” The normal order of these two points is reversed. According to Paul in Romans we are “justified” and then we go through the process of “sanctification.” However, this is not speaking about the progressive sanctification that occurs in a believer’s life. Instead, it is the “setting apart” or “consecrating” of the individual to God. It is a done deal.

Despite the state of maturity (all new believers are immature) and despite the lack of knowledge about Godly things (in which most new believers are deficient), they have been set apart by God as sanctified. This is a clear indication of the doctrine of eternal salvation. What God has sanctified is forever so.

A point of note in Paul’s words is that the word “alla” or “but” is repeated for each of these points. In this, it indicates a special emphasis on each part of the process; the words can be taken as emphatic. You “have washed yourselves;” you “are sanctified;” and you “are justified.” And, it was done “in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”

Salvation is accomplished “in the name of the Lord Jesus” and by no other. Only He came in the flesh to redeem us from our sins and to purify us with His shed blood. Nobody, outside of His bestowed grace, can be saved. And the action is accomplished “by the Spirit of our God.” The Holy Spirit is the one who performs the actions when a believer calls out to the Lord. The moment they do, they are sealed with the Spirit (Ephesians 1:13, 14), and are given the guarantee of eternal life. They are sanctified in Christ, and they are justified in Christ.

Albert Barnes notes that, “This verse brings in the whole subject of redemption, and states in a most emphatic manner the various stages by which a sinner is saved, and by this single passage, a man may obtain all the essential knowledge of the plan of salvation.” When one bears the weight of sin committed after coming to Christ and feels that they may have lost what they once received, all they need to do is return to this verse and contemplate it. It contains that wonderful assurance that we are saved despite ourselves.

Life application: This verse asks us to look back on who we once were and to conduct our futures with humility, gratitude, and to carry in our hearts deep thankfulness for the grace and mercy of God who took what was ignoble and purified it for Himself.

Lord Jesus, you took the clay jar that was broken and dirty and set it apart for yourself. You made it right and cleaned it up so that it could be used for something noble and good. And even today, the jar is changing as You bring it to an appearance never even imagined. You have done the marvelous! Thank You, O God for repairing me and placing me in Your heavenly home. Amen.

Thursday, 26 June 2014

…nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:10

Continuing with his sobering list of the unrighteous, Paul next names –

Thieves – The meaning is clear in any society. It refers to anyone who lays hold of something which belongs to another and takes it for themselves. Robbery, stealing, pick pocketing, etc are simply different ways of describing the overall concept of thievery. And this can be on a personal, an institutional, or a governmental level. Companies can steal from their employees as much as employees can steal from their companies. And governments can, and do, steal from their citizens through unjust taxation. Those behind these schemes are not guiltless.

Covetous – Coveting, as described in the analysis of 1 Corinthians 5:10, is desiring something that someone else possesses. It is the greed of the heart which is not content with what one rightfully owns. It also doesn’t consider taking the time to earn what is desired. Instead it is a lust of the eyes for that which one has not been worked for or which has been rightly received, such as a gift or inheritance. It is an avaricious attitude which will eventually be realized in hatred, theft, murder, etc. if not reigned in.

Drunkards – These were described in 1 Corinthians 5:11. A drunkard is a person addicted to, and consumed by, alcohol; not specifically any person who drinks alcohol. A drunkard has no restraint over his drinking; it has conquered him and his allegiance is to it and not to Christ. Concerning the moderate drinking of alcohol, there is nothing wrong with doing so despite the stigma many un-biblically attach to it. The entire body of Scripture bears this out. However, like any other thing, there are limits which must be exercised.

Revilers – Again, as noted in 1 Corinthians 5:11, this is a person who is vulgar in his words. His speech is coarse, angry, defiant, and abusive. Such a person has no problem vilifying others in their character, hurting people’s feelings through speech, and demeaning those around them. Such an attitude is opposite to Christ who “when He was reviled, did not revile in return” (1 Peter 2:23).

Extortioners – This final category was described in 1 Corinthians 5:10. Such are those who take advantage of others for illicit gain. They may charge high rates of repayment on loans, forced payment for “protection” which if not paid will end in any sort of punishment, etc. In this type, there is little consideration for others, but rather a rapacious desire to profit off anyone for any reason.

The Bible now states, in completely clear terms that all of the categories listed in 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10 will not inherit the kingdom of God. It is easy to look at the list and say, “I haven’t done that one or that one,” but in the end, all have committed at least one and certainly more than one of each offense listed. In other words, we are all guilty and stand condemned before God. As Paul says in Romans 3:10, “There is none righteous, no, not one.”

No person is justified in and of themselves before God and all people are “condemned already” according to Jesus’ words in John 3:18. What we need to be right before God cannot be found within ourselves. Paul will keep on to showing this as he continues with his epistle. We disregard his words at our own peril.

Life application: Who can point a finger at one of the people on this sobering list without condemning themselves. There is nothing wrong with making right moral judgments, but there is a problem with doing so before first getting right with God through Jesus Christ. Once that occurs, we stand in a position where we can identify evil in others and lead them to the Fountain of cleansing, which is Christ.

Heavenly Father, I once was guilty before You, having transgressed Your laws and violated Your holy nature. But in Your great grace and mercy, You sent Jesus to take my place, to bear my sins, and to remove my stains. Now, because of Him, I stand justified before You, pure and undefiled. Help me to live out that state which I truly possess in a manner worthy of it. Help me to reflect Your goodness in all its splendor. Amen.

Wednesday, 25 June 2014

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,….  1 Corinthians 6:9

Paul is going to make a sobering list of those who “will not inherit the kingdom of God.” He makes his statement in the form of a rhetorical question, and it has the full force of a positive declaration – these people will in fact “not inherit the kingdom of God.”

This is a most unpopular view in the world in which we live and it is one of the reasons why Paul is rejected by many aberrant pastors, priests, and preachers today as they utter sermons which do not consider the whole counsel of God. But his words are true and whether we want to believe them or not is irrelevant. The only thing that matters is what God has determined.

And so he begins his list in this verse and it will continue through verse 10. All of the following categories are termed “unrighteous.” That word is used for the whole list which is then presented. It is these unrighteous who will not inherit God’s kingdom. And to make sure we are clear on the subject, he interjects words of warning, “Do not be deceived.” It is his way of saying that others may attempt to diminish, twist, or reject this truth concerning these people, but that doesn’t change the truth of the matter.

The term here for “unrighteous” was just used in verse 6:1 when speaking of those in the pagan world to whom the Corinthians were going to for their judgments. Paul is showing the illogical nature of this. Why would someone go to “the unrighteous” when they are not in that category? He is attempting to have them think this issue through. And so he presents his list –

Fornicators – This includes all sexual impurity. There is a place for sex and it is within the confines of marriage. But there are those who reject this and exercise their sexual desires outside of those confines. Marriage from a biblical standpoint is between a male and a female. Within the confines of those two precepts – marriage, and the union of a man and woman – sex is acceptable.

Idolaters – As noted in 1 Corinthians 5:10, an idolater is one who puts anything or anyone before a right relationship with God. It can be a mere devotion or service to idols, such as is authorized by some wayward Christian denominations. It can be realized in prayers to or through any other person – such as praying to Mary or the saints. People can make almost anything into an idol – sex, money, gems, artwork, cars, sport teams or sports figures, etc. Idolatry includes the unhealthy devotion to anything or anyone which causes our hearts and affections to be directed away from God.

Adulterers – This concerns those who break their covenant of marriage and engage in sexual relations outside of those bonds. An adulterer can be a married person having sex with someone not their spouse, or it can be an unmarried person who is having sex with a married person. From a biblical perspective, both are adulterers.

Homosexuals – The Greek word here is malakoi which indicates “softeness” or being effeminate. This is the trademark of many homosexuals and so it is translated that way here. But many scholars indicate that it includes a broader and darker range of sin. It is a person who is weak in their moral convictions to the point where any perversion is tolerated and accepted.

Sodomites – The Greek word is arsenokoites. It denotes a male engaging in same-gender sexual activity; specifically a man in bed with another man and thus homosexuality.

Paul’s list will continue in the following verse. It is to these categories of unrepentant sinners that there is no hope of entering the kingdom of God. The modern argument that a person “is born” this way is irrelevant. A person may be born with a predilection towards drinking, but this does not mean they need to be a drunk. And whether a person is born with a bent towards some type of sexual perversion, like homosexuality, or not is irrelevant. They have been instructed that this is wickedness. They alone will bear the consequences of their actions.

Life application: Whether we like what the Bible teaches on difficult moral issues or not is beside the point. The only thing that matters is that we accept God’s sovereignty and act in accord with His directives.

Glorious God, when I read lists of those who will not inherit the kingdom of God, such as that presented in 1 Corinthians 6, I have to think that I was once in such a category. But through the precious blood of Christ, I have been washed and forgiven. Help me now to stand firm on my moral convictions and to lead others to the truth of those sobering words of condemnation or life. Help us to think clearly on these things while there is still time. Amen.

Tuesday, 24 June 2014

No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren!1 Corinthians 6:8

This verse should be looked at in connection with the previous verse for a full understanding of what Paul is relaying –

“Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren!”

He had just asked them why wouldn’t they accept wrong and even be cheated instead of going to law against one another. In his written words, it is as if he were speaking without giving them time to even explain themselves because their actions were inexcusable. And so he continues with the same thought, stating a fact that they cannot ignore – “No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat.”

They are in essence caught with their hands in the cookie jar. He has identified openly that their actions are harmful and wrong towards one another. There is a root of bitterness between the believers which has been allowed to enter into the congregation. It is something that is warned against in Hebrews 12 –

“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled…” Hebrews 12:14, 15

This “root of bitterness” is explicitly stated by Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians as something which should not be allowed. Here are his words to them –

“…no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.” 1 Thessalonians 4:6

The fact that they were cheating and doing wrong is bad enough, but what was more vile to him is that “you do these things to your brethren!” If this is how they were treating one another, then how much more disgraceful must be their actions to those who weren’t considered as brothers! It is the Lord Jesus they represent. And yet because of the things they were doing, those outside the church would certainly be inclined to say, “I want no part of that religion.”

Life application: Would you apply for a job in a company that was known for employees cheating one another and suing one another? Would you willingly join such a company, knowing in advance that there was nothing but infighting and division? Of course not! If this is the case with work, how much more do you think people will reject coming to Christ if they go into a church and see nothing but the same between believers. Our actions in church have real significance to the eyes of those who come in seeking answers to their questions about the Lord.

Lord, help me to remember that people are watching my actions and evaluating You based on what I say and do. It is so easy to forget this as distractions arise, deadlines need to be met, and as my thoughts wander to things that come to mind. Fill me with Your Spirit and keep me attuned to who I am in You so that others will see and want to know You because of how I act. This I pray to bring glory to You. Amen.

Monday, 23 June 2014

Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? 1 Corinthians 6:7

“Utter failure” is well translated here. Paul is telling those in Corinth that their lawsuits against one another demonstrate that they have missed the mark in Christian fellowship and in maintaining a sense of fraternity within the faith. It is true that when one sues another, it is generally because a wrong has been committed. Suppose someone lends $5000 to another believer. When it isn’t paid back, the normal and expected course of action would be to go to them and attempt to get the money back. When that fails, a suit might be the next logical step to follow.

However, Paul is saying that doing this is contrary to what should be expected of a Christian, especially if the suit is conducted in non-Christian mediation. Paul says that instead, “Why do you not rather accept wrong?” And then to further that word, he repeats the thought to confirm what he meant – “Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?” It seems contrary to the normal order of business because it is contrary to the normal order of business. Something more noble is expected of those within the faith.

We may suffer from being cheated, but God is not unaware of it. Our faithfulness to His precept will be rewarded in due time. He will handle all wrongs and correct all offenses, either in this life or in the true life which is to come, but He is asking us to stand on the principles He has laid down.

Having noted this, the passage makes no commentary on interactions with non-believers, governmental agencies, corporations, or the like. When harm is suffered at the hands of a non-believer, there are venues for handling such things.

Life application: How difficult it can be to set aside grievances that have been levied against us by other believers. But how much more satisfying should it be to know that we are following the wishes of the Lord by doing so! Let us stand firmly on God’s word and not be weakened in our determination to be obedient to the knowledge we possess; mixing in practice to what we have learned.

Lord, my brother has offended me
But You have said that I should let it go
Is it not better that I be wronged
Than to take him to court for all the world to know?

Surely the offense has me upset as You can see
But in the end Your word is my rule and guide
Should I consider my offence more important?
Should I so lift myself up and be filled with pride 

Rather, I will stand upon my guide, Your written word
And thus be obedient to You, my precious Lord

Lord God, you know those who are counted as brothers in the faith who have offended me in one way or another, but Your word has asked me to consider my position in You as more important than the loss I have suffered. Help me to put Your word into practice and to allow You to handle the matter in Your wise way. I know that what You will decide will be perfectly just and so why should I worry? I place such things in Your capable hands. Amen.