1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
I heard a man preaching in our church this past Sunday evening. He was talking about how he used to see me around town. He was sharing how I had seen him in the local grocery store. He was on the alcohol aisle and I was getting some milk. He took off running from me, but I made it a point to holler a hearty hello. His face turned red and he kinda ignored me. He took off toward the register and paid for his beer. He then took it out to the vehicle and came back inside. He found me down another aisle and shook my hand like he had not seen me before.
It wasn't much after this that he surrendered his life to Jesus Christ. Wow what a difference Jesus has made in his life. It excites me because I see what Christ did for me years ago through him. I was exactly like this man. I was good, a good friend, a good person, and a real good sinner. (This was the way I viewed myself) But just like our scripture this morning, I would not have entered Heaven on my good thoughts or deeds. I was a drunkard, reviler, just a sinner. But look closely at the scripture and you will see some of the greatest words ever written. "...and such WERE some of you..."
I used to run from the Christians. I didn't want to hear them. I especially ran from God because I didn't want to hear Him either. I was so lost in sin! I love that I WAS lost. I am no longer lost.
Just like when I hear this man speak, or many of the others that were lost speak, I get excited. I hear them talk about what they used to be. I hear them tell of things that they used to do. Not bragging about it but humble about it. And I want to shout, "NOT ANYMORE, NOT ANYMORE!"
And such WERE some of you: BUT ye are washed, BUT ye are sanctified, BUT ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. See it? Say this morning, "NOT ANYMORE!"
