Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Don’t be deceived:  No sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, or anyone practicing homosexuality, no thieves, no greedy people, no drunkards, no 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, and you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ by the Spirit of our God.          1 Corinthians 6:9-11 HCSB

Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.  Do you remember when you were lost? Or are you still lost? Yesterday I used the first part of this scripture passage for us to determine if we had any behavior that might prevent us from inheriting the kingdom of God. Now maybe you carefully read the list and were able to say that you did not exhibit any of those behaviors. But if you are like me, you remember the time before you were truly saved and had problems with some or all of those behaviors.

But often times we forget where we came from and become prideful about our new found Christianity. I have actually caught myself doing this very thing. I have found myself judging others for the same exact things that I did when I was lost in sin. Now I know better than that, I am clearly told in Matthew 7:1 not to judge others, but I do. I am ashamed of my sometimes prideful and yes hypocritical behavior.

This is why I must daily ask God to fill me with his Holy Spirit. I need a daily refill to help me guard against the temptation to sin.

As sinners, we fall into two categories. Either we are unsaved and remaining in bondage to our sin or we are saved and our sins are forgiven. If you are lost and are judging other Christians for prideful, hypocritical behavior, I ask you to cut us some slack. We aren’t perfect, just forgiven. If you are saved, remember that person who is sinning is just like you once were. Don’t backslide by judging them and falling into pride. Instead, let them know what God did for you and how He can do the same for them.

Today we look at the last part of this scripture passage, Paul tells the Corinthians to remember that they used to exhibit these behaviors, but they were cleansed. God washed their sins away with the blood of Jesus. They were sanctified, they were set apart as blood bought children of God. They were justified, made just as if their sin never happened.

If you made the list from this scripture passage, then know that all hope is not lost. Know that you can turn to God and he can cleanse you, sanctify you, and justify you.

If you are saved, know that God expects you to act like it. He expects you to exhibit the fruits of the Spirit and He also expects you to put away your sinful past. We are expected to produce good fruit. Otherwise we will not lead others to Christ and may even turn some away. This would mean that we become a stumbling block to others and we are told that it would be better if a millstone were hung around our neck and we were thrown into the sea (Luke 17:1-2).

If you were saved, please remember when you were lost. Remember that but for the grace of God, you were a miserable sinner. It is not for us to judge, but for us to lead sinners to the Lord. Many may reject us, but that’s okay. We plant the seed and pray that someone else may be able to come along and water it and make it grow. But know that passing judgment and looking down our noses at other sinners is not what God intends for us to do. That’s not our job. Our job is to be the light that leads them to Jesus.

If you are lost, look for the light. If God has saved you from your sin, don’t forget where you came from. Let go of any pride and hypocrisy you may have and be grateful for God’s mercy and grace. Remember where you came from and do all you can to lead others to where you are now.

Have a great day!