Nov 12, 2023
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Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Drawing a sharp contrast between Christians and unbelievers, Paul makes a staggering and categorical statement … "the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Cor 6:9). The apostle then proceeds to describe some of the people in the category of 'the unrighteous,' naming nine sins (or ten, depending on the translation) … three (or four) of which are sexual in nature.
Though all Christians are sinful, the Greek word translated 'unrighteous' here (sometimes translated 'unjust') is never used to refer to Christians. Jesus said that God causes His rain to fall "on the just and on the unjust" (Mt 5:45).
The word 'unrighteous' does not simply refer to people who do sinful things (which is true of all of us), but to people whose lives are characterized by sinful impulses and actions, namely sexual immorality, homosexuality, idolatry, thievery, greed, slander, drunkenness.
If someone's life is dominated by some sinful behavior, this declaration is that such a person "will not inherit the kingdom of God."
To the Christians of Corinth, Paul encouragingly says, "And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified" (1 Cor 6:11). Conversion to Christ brings a marked change … not only in the affections of one's heart, but in the actions of one's life.