1 Corinthians 6: 9 - 12, 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. 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. All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. NKJV
Today's word is more than a devotional. The Holy Spirit has given me insights to share with the body of Christ that will help us understand what transpires when someone hears God's voice; nevertheless, they harden their hearts and do not listen to it. Each time someone hears the voice of God, but does not heed it, they distance themselves more from the Lord. Consequently, they give sin a place in their hearts...and its aim is to take over their lives. If they refuse to repent, but instead, choose to repeatedly disobey the voice of God, they will give themselves over to that sin, and it will become their new identity. It is at this point that their sin will become a lifestyle.
Please notice in today's scripture that Paul identifies the person involved in a certain sin by whatever sin they have committed. For example, instead of saying a person has the sin of idolatry, he calls them an idolater. In other words, they have given themselves over to a particular sin so completely that it has become their identity. Paul goes on to say that there was a time when we identified with sin in our lives. However, we've been washed and sanctified by the Holy Spirit; now we have a new nature and identity in Christ.
We're told in Romans 3 that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We all know this is true because none of us are perfect. Even so, in Christ, we have been forgiven and redeemed from the curse of sin and death. Although we're all born into this world as sinners, God loved us (the world) so much that He gave His only- begotten Son. Now, we must choose either to believe that sin has discredited us from ever becoming what God intended for us to be, or we can believe that we are a new creature in Christ.
Yes, we've all sinned and fallen short of God's glory. Nevertheless, God has given us all another chance to be redeemed from the fall of sin and to become who He ordained us to be in Christ. Even though God is holy..., and we're born into this world as sinners... God still made a way for us to be reconciled with Him through Christ. Flawed humans can come boldly into His presence without being put to shame by His holiness. If God could see beyond our faults and failures, and not only see our needs, but actually meet them in Christ, then who are we to question Him when He calls us to live holy and righteous before Him?
There is much debate in the times we're living in over the issue of people being born with a certain bend or trait that may cause them to be drawn to a particular type of behavior that predetermines if they are a "good person" or an "evil person." While there are some in the world that would say a person is born a murderer or a thief, the Word of God only declares that we are born with a sin nature. Let me explain the difference. Was Cain born a murderer or was he born a sinner? Let's see. When God rejected Cain because he disobeyed His will concerning an offering, Cain became filled with rage. Nonetheless, whenever God recognized that Cain's countenance had fallen, and that he was full of anger, God warned Cain not to give into sin. God saw that sin was demanding that Cain do something to get revenge for being rejected. The demand was for Cain to take the life of his brother, Abel, who had been accepted by the Lord. Did Cain obey the voice of God and let Abel live? No. Was Cain a born killer or did he give himself over to the sin of murder? He gave himself over to murder. As a result, He became a murderer because he repeatedly disobeyed God's commands. Therefore, we see through this example that, although we're born in sin, it doesn't necessarily mean that we are destined or doomed to become a murderer, extortionist, thief, liar, or etc.
People who become identified with a particular sin aren't born that way; however, though a series of poor and/or bad decisions it is where they can end up. A child can experience many things in their formative years; rejection, heartache, or abandonment can lead to low self-esteem and behavior problems early in life. And, if these symptoms aren't properly addressed, Satan can further exploit them... as he did with Cain, whose behavior escalated into violence. If anyone hardens their heart as Cain did to the voice of God or truth, and they act on their evil desires, then they are more susceptible and tolerant of sin. The more they practice evil ways and turn away from the Lord, the easier it will be for them to commit a particular sin. They are slowly giving themselves over to the iniquity, and it will dominate their hearts and their lives. However, at any point along the way a person has the ability have a change of heart and turn from their sin. God gave Cain that opportunity a couple of times, but he refused God's way. Instead, he chose to make his own path, which led to destruction.
Paul teaches us in Romans 1 that sin can become a lifestyle that develops into an identity when we consistently repress the truth in unrighteous behavior. An unsaved person might come to the knowledge of the truth that they are a sinner and in need of salvation; even so, if they should decide to continue living in sin, thereby, rejecting the truth, then they will begin to identify with that particular sin as a "way of life" and not a sin. At that point, they are not walking by faith in God's Word; they are deceived and are justifying their actions. Self-justification is an open door in a person's heart that will allow Satan entrance to fill it with corrupt and vile tendencies and actions.
Like many others, you may be struggling with a particular sin, and you have been warring with it for an extended time; hence, this is a word from the Lord for you. We're told in Hebrews 11 that without faith, we can't please or agree with God. Therefore, allow faith to fill your heart today, and you can walk out of bondage to sin. God wants you free from sin's hold. Ask Him to forgive you and to cleanse you of all unrighteousness, and He will do it. Please email me at passion30@whcnorth.org. Let me know what God has done in your life as a result of this word. We're praying for your victory.
Sharing the Truth in Love,
Pastor Asa Dockery
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