The Daily Word: Tuesday, August 10th, 2021
Ezra 10:1-44
1 Corinthians 6:1-20
Psalm 31:9-18
Proverbs 21:3
For full text click here.
Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
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. – 1 Cor. 6:9-10
The Apostle Paul, as inspired by the Holy Spirit, is making some serious statements here. “Do not be deceived,” he says. “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.” Wow. If you thought the Pharisees wanted to stone Paul back then, imagine what the secular community would want to do to him now!
So how much sin is too much? If I have one night of heavy drinking, am I cast out of the kingdom of God? If I steal something, am I excluded from Heaven? But listen to what Paul is saying. Notice that Pail did not condemn “people who fornicate.” He condemned “fornicators.” He did not denounce “people who have gotten drunk.” He denounced “drunkards.” Do you see it? Paul is denouncing those who have allowed their sin to become their identity. For these people, sin was no longer what they did; it had become who they were. Sin had become a lifestyle choice. And unless they corrected course, their lifestyle would exclude them from the kingdom of God.
If you ever value your sin more than Jesus, you are in trouble! You are not a Christian unless you forsake all else for Him. He is either Lord of all, or He isn’t Lord at all. Live your life for Jesus, and don’t let anything else stand in your way! Your sin does not define who you are. You are redeemed by the blood of Christ!
Prayer:
Father, make me faithful to Your word. Make me faithful to Your calling! I pray that an unholy habit would never become my identity. I want to be rooted and grounded in You and You alone, in Jesus’ name.
© Michael D. White, 2021. All rights reserved.