But you were washed

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 6v11

One of the things I like about the word of God is that He doesn’t let us get too discouraged. On this journey I have noted that so often. just as God is giving judgement or addressing sin He steps in a reminds them of His presence,

Here, Paul has been addressing the carnality and divisions of the church. He has just pointed out the shame of going to court against each other. He then points out the hopelessness of the lost and that they are going to face God’s judgement. He is saying basically that we need to deal with sin in the church, but let God judge the lost, because His judgement is sure.

The main point for me today, however, is that God still encourages the church. After the litany of sins that will keep the lost out of the kingdom he says, “Some of you were just like that. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified.”

How amazing, that Paul could tell these carnal believers that they have already been washed, sanctified, and justified. He is dealing with their sin, but reminding them that they are not going to suffer the same fate as the lost.

Praise God for a washing, a sanctification, and a justification that is done and dusted. May that motive us to deal with the carnality which can tempt us act like the world.