1 Corinthians 6:11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Verses 9 and 10 are currently some of the most politically incorrect in the whole Bible, because they not only say that homosexual behavior disqualifies you for God’s kingdom, they lump that in with various other despicable behaviors. People ignore the marvelous grace expressed in this verse and instead want their sins affirmed as not sinful, as even normative. How foolish! All sins require repentance, but if that is present on the basis of faith, then forgiveness is available for all sins. As countless teachers have pointed out, we always think the other guy’s sins are worse than our own. Having been a flagrant sinner in the past is nothing to be proud of, but it is also not to be denied, because God’s grace is sufficient. This verse is actually triumphant, declaring that we are not trapped by what we have done in the past, but in Christ we are purified and made holy and righteous. How glorious, and actually miraculous! I personally know some examples of this, and I know this verse to be true indeed. The point is, we are not to remain in such behaviors, but rather repent. A recent case in point is that of Kat von D, a tattoo artist with a reality TV show who was noted for her occult, demonic obsessions, which she has recently said were rooted in alcoholism. God got through to her and she has discarded all of that, quite literally, and has posted a video of her baptism. That sort of thing scares some people to death, because it points out very clearly that they have no excuse, because “they weren’t as far gone as she was.” For that matter, God has always been in the business of saving the “dregs of society.” Jesus was noted for associating with “sinners,” and Himself proclaimed, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:31-32) Until we recognize that we too are sinners, none of us will be saved.

Of course this applies to me. I’m in the process of writing my autobiography, and I’m having to ask the Lord what to include and what not, because I don’t want anyone saying, “If he did that and it was OK, then it’s no big deal if I do it.” I too am “Only a sinner, saved by grace,” as the old hymn expresses it. None of my sins have been OK, but none have been too big for the blood of Christ to cover. For that matter, I still haven’t achieved “sinless perfection;” repentance is an ongoing thing. As I have received forgiveness, I need to extend forgiveness to those around me. Jesus said a number of things that are pretty scary if you think about them, and one of those is certainly, “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15) I cannot insist that someone else’s sins are worse than my own, but rather seek to lead them into the same repentance and forgiveness that I have experienced.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I believe You are bringing many more people into this church, and we all need to maintain this awareness. Help us all rejoice in Your grace toward us and extend that grace toward all, never excusing sin, in ourselves or others, but always remembering that “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7) Thank You. Hallelujah!