1 Corinthians 6:9-11
9 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,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11 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.
If you feel guilty about sins from your past, the Scriptures have a special assurance for you. Since the Corinthian believers were also struggling, Paul offered to them—and us—this counsel and hope: “Such [sinners] were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:11).
In the verses preceding these encouraging words, Paul lists some disgraceful lifestyles that continue to the modern day. Every week, pastors hear from people who ask whether the Lord can forgive them for a homosexual lifestyle, adultery, abusive behavior, or one of a host of other transgressions. The answer is yes. He can and will forgive the Christian’s every sin, in accordance with 1 John 1:9.
Until a believer understands how the Lord forgives and removes sin, he or she will carry the guilt. Promises to do better end in futility. Forgiveness is based only on the shed blood of Jesus Christ. He bore your sin on the cross and died in your place. When you acknowledge that He alone can make you righteous before God, then you are set free. You are given a new mindset—one guided by the Holy Spirit to focus upon the things of God instead of your sinful desires.
Do you wake up each morning to face another day of dragging your guilt around? You don’t have to. The Lord is waiting to take that load from you and cast it as far as the east is from the west (Ps. 103:12). All you must do is hand over your burden and receive His forgiveness.
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