Week 04

Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 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. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

When you read these verses, be honest. Do you read this list with an eye of condemnation?

• the sexually immoral
• idolaters
• adulterers
• men who have sex with men
• thieves
• the greedy
• drunkards
• slanderers
• swindlers

Perhaps you think you’re supposed to read this list with eyes of condemnation, because Paul notes they “will not inherit the Kingdom of God”
(1 Corinthians 6:9-10). However, does this reality denote total condemnation for those who practice such behaviors?

Paul gives little emphasis on the specificity of these behaviors. In fact, in this language he is determinedly vague. Throughout his entire discussion on sexual brokenness in this letter to the Corinthian church, he merely lists these in one verse. It appears Paul strategically keeps his comments limited as he intentionally uses the word “inherit.” This verbiage implies Kingdom behavior produces Kingdom dividends. The connection and familial blessings of God’s Kingdom are not present with these illicit behaviors.

The truth is that Paul says more in these verses than some want to hear on these subjects, yet he maintains his balance by saying less than others want him to say.

The question is “Can you see your own Kingdom brokenness mirrored in this list?”

When God asks us to restrain from that which brings about Kingdom disconnection, we have a choice, much like Adam and Eve in the good and beautiful garden of Eden (Genesis 2:8-10). We can choose to acknowledge God’s request to restrain ourselves and surrender to his ways, trusting he has our good in mind. Or, we can shrug him off, believing he’s withholding good things from us.

Let’s do a little heart check today. Do you want Kingdom inheritance – which involves connection to God and the fruit of his inheritance?

Get honest and ask God to reveal to you any area where you may be resistant to his request for restraint. Confess your resistance and agree with the good inheritance Jesus offers you on the other side of obedience.

Freedom – what does this mean for a Christian, especially as it relates to our behavior? Paul writes in I Corinthians 6:12-13 NIV,

“Everything is permissible for me”–but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”–but I will not be mastered by anything. “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food”–but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.

Paul is quoting from the letter the Corinthian church wrote to him. Members of the church were focusing on the freedom they had in Christ, to the exclusion of the responsibility they had in Christ, that is, to behave in a manner worthy of followers of Jesus. Later in Paul’s letter to this church he says,

“Everything is permissible”–but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”–but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. I Corinthians 10:23-24 NIV

We have freedom in Christ, freedom from following the Jewish law, because of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross – once for all. But – just as with children growing into adults, as we grow in age and gain more freedom – we also grow in the responsibility we bear for our individual behavior. Not all behavior is beneficial or constructive for ourselves or for others. The Apostle Peter writes, “Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.” I Peter 2:16 NIV. The Apostle Paul writes to the Galatian churches, “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13 NIV

It seems that several members of the Corinthian church were only focused on pleasing themselves. Paul is strongly admonishing this church to behave in a way that honors God and honors God’s design for marriage. The author of Hebrews encourages us, “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. Hebrews 13:4 NIV

So, what about our freedom? I believe we need to keep I Corinthians 10:23-24 in mind. Ask yourself “am I not behaving in a manner that is seeking the other person’s good?” “Am I behaving in a manner that will harm someone else, or harm myself?” If the answer is yes, then I believe we do not have the freedom to act in that manner. Spend some time examining your own motives, actions, and behaviors. Confess as needed, ask God to clarify your next steps.

It is actually reported that sexual immorality exists among you, the kind of immorality that is not permitted even among the Gentiles, so that someone is cohabiting with his father’s wife. And you are proud! Shouldn’t you have been deeply sorrowful instead and removed the one who did this from among you? 1 Corinthians 5:1-2 NET Bible

Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast affects the whole batch of dough? Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch of dough… 1 Corinthians 5:6-7a NET Bible

It’s fascinating to observe vocabulary modifications that overtake the Church as the culture around us changes. A term that has become popular as we talk about ourselves and our culture is “brokenness”. It seems to upset fewer people than saying “mankind is sinful” or a using a term such as “sexual immorality”.

In 1 Corinthians 5:1-8, Paul addresses the toleration and even celebration of sexual brokenness that has been reported to him about the Corinthian church. Maybe those 8 verses could be paraphrased in the words made famous by the comic strip character Pogo: “We have met the enemy and he is us.”

Although it’s important to remember none of us is 100% free of brokenness, it’s destructive to tolerate, much less celebrate, brokenness in our midst.

In another letter Paul observes that those who repent and turn to Jesus start as fully broken: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 NET Bible

But instantly, Paul moves past that start to describe what Jesus has done for us (justification – reconnecting us with God): “But they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:24 NET Bible

And, in another letter, Paul elaborates on our ongoing transformative process:

Now may the God of peace himself make you completely holy and may your spirit and soul and body be kept entirely blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. I Thessalonians 5:23 NET Bible

In terms of sexual brokenness, our culture has come to resemble ancient Corinth. In order to be relevant and inoffensive to those we want to reach with the good news of Jesus, it’s tempting to be “accepting” and bend to swiftly morphing cultural norms. But we have the above words of Paul to guide us within our Church community. Here’s a summary:

• Although those in the Church are broken, we are now justified by Jesus Christ.
• Jesus is transforming us to wholeness, and it’s a process.
• Don’t celebrate brokenness.
• Don’t contribute to brokenness.
• Confront celebrations of brokenness in the Church.

Consider one of the following actions today.

One: Think about the challenges sexual brokenness has presented or is presenting in your life. Is there another brother or sister you trust who can help you in that area?

Two: If you have received help with sexual brokenness and know of another believer who is struggling in the same area, pray for them and ask God to show you how you can support them in obeying Jesus.

Three: Let your heart be broken in prayer for one or more of those you know and love who are not in the Church and are presently captivated by sexual brokenness.