Jump Start # 3365

1 Corinthians 6:11 “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 Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.”

This verse is powerful. It is revealing. It is helpful for our times. The Corinthians changed. Paul says in the previous verses that they were fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate, homosexuals, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers and swindlers. What a wide and vast assortment of sinful activity. Immoral. Dishonest. Out of control. That’s how we’d picture most of those behaviors. But coming to our verse today, they changed. Justified. Sanctified. Washed. The Gospel of Jesus changed their lives.

Some thoughts for us:

First, with most of these sins listed by the apostle, just stopping wasn’t easy. It wasn’t a matter of simply “going to church,” as some say. They had to rewire the house. The way they had been thinking had to change. A covetous person doesn’t just flip a switch and he is no longer covetous. He has to get his mind off of stuff and on to Christ. He has to realize that life isn’t measured by what one owns.

There are many sexual sins in Paul’s description of the Corinthians. Fornication. Effeminate. Adultery. Homosexuality. We are told by our culture that a person doesn’t choose those things but they are naturally born that way. Yet, the Corinthians stopped. It wasn’t that they now found a homosexual church and they continued on as they were. That’s not supported by this text. That behavior was sinful and one could not inherit the kingdom of God. Now, our times would say that’s “Hate speech.” But it’s the language of the Bible.

The Corinthians changed their behavior. They did this without intense professional counselors. Such did not exist back then. There was no AA meetings for the drunks. It was the power of Christ and a commitment to living a holy life that led them to change. Was it easy? Is it easy today? Is it ever easy? Yet, the witness of these saints tells us that it can be done. Change begins in the mind. Change the mind and then the behavior changes. Without changing the mind, the behavior may stop for a moment, but it always returns.

Understanding that Christ made us for better things and He has a plan and a purpose for us will help us to get to that change. Rather than using people, we learn to value people. Rather than only thinking of self, we begin thinking of Christ and then others.

When people say “I cannot change,” they are not only giving up on God, but they are allowing the devil to continue to captivate and control them. Yes, you can change. Yes, you can change forever.

Second, our culture doesn’t help. It embraces sin and makes sin acceptable. Rather than changing the person, our culture changes the message. Find a sin accepting church. Find a church whose leaders are doing the very things you are doing and everyone dances happily singing, “I’m OK and you’re OK.” Such is shameful, wrong and ignoring what the Bible teaches. Rather than listening to sinful counselors who green light anything you want to do, we need to obey the message of Scriptures.

So, the more that our culture saturates my heart, the harder it will be for me to change. The more that I listen to the people of the world, the harder it will be to listen to the message of the Bible. The more I try to fit in with the world the less that I will have in common with God’s people.

The godly change that can take place within me is going to be led by dumping our modern culture out of me and pouring the pure word of God within my heart. More of Thee and less of the world. To accomplish this, one will have to say “No,” to certain shows on TV, certain movies, concerts, and social activities. If one is really serious, he will find time to be around God’s people more and more.

Third, one has to know that Satan won’t let you go without a fight. He’ll put people in your life to pull you down. He’ll give you opportunity after opportunity to go back to the way you were. He’ll discourage you. He’ll try to confuse you. He’ll tell you that you can’t do this. But Satan can be resisted.

When Jesus resisted the temptations in the Gospels, it wasn’t a matter of remembering the right verse to say. It was understanding who He was, who God was and what the eternal purpose is. God didn’t make you to get in the mud with pigs. You are His child and you are created to walk in righteousness and holiness. We’ve simply forgotten that.

The Corinthians changed. You can, as well.

Roger

Jump Start # 2189

1 Corinthians 6:11 “And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.”

Brett Kavanaugh is a name that a year ago most people had never heard of. Now, his name leads the headlines of every nightly news. The pick by the President to be the next Supreme Court justice, has been accused of inappropriate behavior decades ago when he was a senior in high school and starting college. The politicians will slug this out and it is not our place here to decide, nor do we even know if what has been said is true or not.

However, Brett Kavanaugh presents an interesting practical issue that has Biblical ties. How does one change their reputation? How does a person change people’s perception of himself? This is where our verse fits in. Our verse begins with the expression, “and such were some of you.”

There are three statements from our verse that is important to see:

And such—is identified by a classification of ten different kinds of sins. They are not good, none of them. The list includes, fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate, homosexuals, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, and swindlers. This is what they were. Rebellious to God. Hell bent and headed towards Hell. Many people may have been hurt by these choices and actions. Items were stolen. Families may have been torn apart. The list is extensive and ugly.

Were– this is what they were, but not what they are. Were is the past. What they are is present. They were no longer those things. A person can stop a behavior, but the tag, the reputation, the image lingers on with people.

But you– is used three times. But you were washed. But you were sanctified. But you were justified. They changed. They were no longer those things. And, in the image of God, they were His people. Washed, implying purity, cleansing, baptism. Sanctified implying special, set apart. Saintly. Justified meaning right, not guilty. Their status had changed with God. Often it may change with God but not with people.

These verses are fitting for us because it is where all of us are. Each of us were wrong with God. We all were sinners. We all have sinned. Our list may be different from the Corinthians, but it most likely involves several sins. Such were some of you, includes us. Our image and our reputation wasn’t so hot.

But like this passage, we changed. We started doing what was right. We came to God as believers and through His grace we were made just. Our past is not our present.

And, as this passage continues, our current direction, choices and attitudes are reflect God. I expect for most of us, our high school days weren’t something that we are proud of today. Sure the grades, the friends, the sports were all wonderful, but our moral choices may not have been pleasing to God. That was then and this is now.

Reputations change with time and right choices. Being known as an honest, hard working, dependable person does come from one day at work. It won’t come from one worship service. But day after day after day, a consistent pattern is formed and people see us in a variety of circumstances and they see that we are not bending the rules to our pleasure. We are the same in stressful situations and with difficult people. Our anger holds. Our tongue doesn’t betray us. Time after time, and what that does is build an image. Our social life matches what people know about us at work and worship. At the ballgame, at the golf course, at the theatre, our character shines. This is how images and perception changes.

Those that have known us for a long, long time, may remember those early years when we weren’t so noble and righteous. They may continue to see us that way, but what they remember and what they currently see, will not match because we have changed. The problem lies with their refusal to allow a person to change. The problem lies with them believing that you are still the way you were way back then, even though you don’t show that nor act that way.

Reputation is built upon our character. We control and shape our character. Our character changes. As we are influenced by the Gospel, our hearts become more and more like Jesus. When that happens, our character changes. We become more patient and forgiving, just like Jesus. We become kinder, just like Jesus. We become more compassionate, just like Jesus. Our character and our hearts are touched and molded by the Savior.

Now, in all of this there is another lesson about how we see others. Just as we have changed and we are not the same person we were before Christ and we are not the same person we were in high school, so we must allow a person to be judged by who they are today, not what they once were. We may know a person from years ago. Maybe he wasn’t kind, honest or decent. Is he still that way? Give him a chance. It may be he has changed his character as you have yours. Allow a person to change and with that your image of them changes.

Is Brett Kavanaugh guilty of sexual abuse when he was in high school? I don’t know. But is that his character today? Can a person change? Can a person realize that they were wrong? In Amazing Grace we sing, “I once was lost, but now I’m found.” To the Corinthians, Paul said, “and such were some of you, but you were washed”.

Reputation is what people heard about us or think about us. It may land you a job or it may keep you from getting a job. It may open doors or it may slam some doors shut. What people think about you is either something that they imagined or it is based upon what they see.

Live in such a way that people will say that you are a kind, moral, honest and generous person. They will say this when we act that way. Anyone can talk a good story, people need to see the proof. Our walk must match our talk.

You were, but now you are…reputation. Everyone of us has one. Make yours good.

Roger

Jump Start # 1619

1 Corinthians 6:11 “Such 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.”

I have a friend who has a friend who is homosexual. He knows if things remain as they are, his friend will not go to Heaven. He wants to talk to him but is unsure about how to do this. He asked me to give him some suggestions. Concern and prayerful thought must be put into this. Some would suggest, “Just tell him that he’s going to Hell.” That approach has been used for years. Most can see that from the results that was not effective at all. Certainly, you are telling the truth and you are not holding anything back, but put yourselves on the receiving end of that message. It is offensive and causes a toxic response and not a change in behavior.

Our verse today, reveals that many of the Corinthian believers were originally immoral and corrupt. The list is long and sordid. It includes idolatry, fornication, adultery, effeminate, homosexuality, drunkards, swindlers, thieves and covetous. Messy lives. Immoral people. Folks without any compass in their lives. Yet they changed. They didn’t have intense therapy or counseling back then. There was no AA for the drunks or exit programs for the homosexuals. They did it because of Jesus. It is possible, because God shows us that.

The conversation is hard when the person you are talking to is happy and content in their immoral lifestyle. It is hard to bring God into the picture when they believe God approves and worse, they believe God made them the way that they are. Some have twisted Scriptures to make it sound as if God is ok with someone being gay. You find someone who is miserable, unhappy and upset and you have something to start with. You begin with a happy homosexual and your work is cut out for you. But powerful are the Scriptures. Believe that.

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Always pray hard about the person and what you are going to say. You need God’s help. Pray for listening ears. Pray for an honest and good heart. Pray that you will find the right words to say.

2. Find an appropriate time to talk with him. Choose a setting that invites conversation. You don’t want your conversation to be interrupted and the flow of conversation to be derailed. Park the cell phones. Don’t begin the conversation in the attack mode. Talk freely, kindly. You are trying to help, not destroy.

3. Use yourself as a starting point. “I want to tell you my story…”  This may be painful but it’s honesty and truthfulness that you are establishing. Talk about what your life was like before Jesus. For some it was footloose and fancy free. Living the dream. Sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll. But it was only a dream. It was living with a bunch of lies. The drinking, the running around, the irresponsibility—it’s all a lie. Someone came into your life and they were different. They didn’t live that way. They were calm, they were sure, they seemed to have a sense of worth and purpose in their life. They weren’t hiding behind these artificial things. In time, that person talked to you about Jesus. Tell your friend, your first reaction. Be honest. Tell him what it was like the first time you worshipped with people who were serious about the Bible. From that a Bible study started. You saw that Jesus really loved you and wanted you to live differently and better. He made you for better things. Those studies lead you to realizing that you were not a Christian and you were not going to Heaven. You were baptized. You changed. Tell him how remarkable your journey with the Lord has been. Be honest. Be positive.

4. From that, tell your friend, I would like to show you in the Bible what I found in Jesus. I want you to have what I have found. I want you to go to Heaven. Can I show you?

It is at that point, based upon the person’s heart that they will agree to let you have a Bible study with them or they will close the door. Some are not interested. Some do not want to know. Some, may know and do not want to admit it. How do you get people to be interested is a question that is hard to answer. Some are not interested. Some will not change because they do not want to change.

The obvious sin we witness in someone’s life, homosexuality, drug abuse, drinking, adultery—isn’t the real problem. It’s living without Jesus. Those things are simply ways that living without Jesus is manifested. We want to stop the drinking. What we really want is for them to become a disciple of Jesus. Stopping a certain sin without the change of heart, the putting away of the old man, usually won’t last long. They will slip back into old ways and old habits. There is a re-wring of their thinking that must take place. Until they are ready for that, the little changes that you see, do not mean much.

What are you to do if a person doesn’t want to talk or have that Bible study? Keep praying. Keep looking for another opportunity. Keep being their friend. Don’t toss them overboard if they say “no.” Don’t take it personal if they want nothing to do with Jesus. Many have had a bad experience. They may have been told in the past that they are headed to hell. That’s enough for them to be done once and for all with religion.

Patience is a must. This is a journey. Keep your light shinning. They will be watching you. They may even test you.

It is amazing that we can be more concerned about someone’s soul than they are. It is amazing that we may want them in Heaven more than they do.

If a Bible study begins, don’t start with jumping on their sin. Talk about the Scriptures and why God has given us the Bible. In that, you are establishing authority and Bible only as the rule of faith. From that, talk about and show what God wants from us. That of course, is to be like Jesus. It’s a journey. It’s more than just going to church on Sunday. Anticipate more than one study. Take time. Build Jesus in their hearts. Show the goodness, mercy and love of God. Start with Adam. Talk about Cain and worship. Talk about failures and departures. You are wanting him to see Christ. Talk about blueprints. God has plans for us. If we do what the blueprint says, we will be what God wants.

This isn’t easy, but it may be God has caused your lives to intersect just for this reason.

I will pray for you.

Roger

Jump Start # 1251

1 Corinthians 6:11 “Such 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.”

  One of the hardest things to do in life is to change. Some think that it’s nearly impossible. It’s not. Our verse today illustrates that it’s not. The Corinthians were a mess spiritually and morally until Paul came to town and preached the saving grace of Jesus Christ. The previous verse lists the “such were some of you” sins. Included in that list is: drunkards, thieves, covetous, swindlers, idolaters, homosexuals, fornicators. Those are not the “white sins” as some folks may list sins. Many of those are lifestyles and addictions. I guess the expression, “Once a drunk, always a drunk,” wasn’t true with the Corinthians. They changed. Coveting is a way of life. It gets into the inner fiber and DNA of a person. The taste for wanting stuff and thriving on that want is hard to get out of a person. But they changed. Then there are those sexual sins. Several are listed. Fornication, adultery, homosexuality, effeminate—lifestyles, yet they changed.

I talked recently with a couple about change. They needed to change. They weren’t living right. They weren’t living with Jesus. All of us face changes. Some are just minor adjustments. We catch ourselves getting loose with the tongue or a mean attitude, and we make changes. For others, the changes are huge. It’s lifestyle changes. It means not living together. It means stopping the booze. It means being honest. It means cutting loose sorry friends.

Our verse reveals some thoughts for us to consider.

First, change is possible. When we say “I can’t change,” the reality probably means, “I don’t want to change.” The Corinthians changed. “Such were some of you,” is past tense. You once were, but now you are not. A person can spend a long, long time in the land of sin. It can become a way of life. Not a day passes, without feeding that addiction, telling a lie, or engaging in immoral sex. Every day. For decades. It’s just as normal as breathing. They were not troubled with guilt, shame or a mamma that told them to straighten up. This was the Corinthian culture. Everyone was engaged in it. To be a Corinthian was to be immoral. Then came Paul. Then came the Gospel. Forgiveness. Repentance. Change. Holiness becomes the norm. They changed. They wanted to change. When we want Christ, we’ll do anything to find His favor, even changing our lives.

Second, the Corinthian change was a choice they made. Somehow the drunks straightened up with out an AA program. The homosexuals stopped without an Exit Support group. I doubt they had counselors like we do today. I expect the change was hard on them. I expect they fought temptation daily. The desire to drink or covet or lust can be powerful. Those sins can dominate our minds. Like a drug, a person can’t see straight, think right or move past those cravings. Yet, the Corinthians did. They wanted Christ. So great was their desire for forgiveness that they chose right. It can be done. We have so many available tools to help us today. More than they had. Yet we must have the desire to be right with Christ.

Third, following Christ often isn’t easy. Change is one of the hardest aspects of being a Christian. Romans talked about the “newness of life.” In Ephesians and Colossians Paul described in detail the new man in Christ. A new way of thinking. A new behavior. A new attitude. A new outlook. Those things take effort, determination and energy. The weak can’t do it. The lazy won’t do it. Those who are looking for an easy way will give up in failure. But those who are determined will overcome. They will conquer all things in Christ. We face similar battles. The bottle is still a problem in many homes. Lying is killing the trust in families. Coveting still races through the veins of many people. And the sexual sins are alive and well in far to many homes. Porn, immodesty, indecent thinking, affairs, living together—all too common from college campuses to Main Street in America. “I can’t help it,” doesn’t fly when we see what the Corinthians did. It’s innocent won’t work with God. It’s sinful and it’s wrong. Change isn’t easy. Following Christ demands our best and our all.

Fourth, change isn’t a one time deal. It’s a daily choice. Everyday those feelings come. Everyday those thoughts come. Everyday the choice must be made, back to the world of sin, or onward with Christ. Once the door to sin has been opened, it’s easy to open it the next time. Satan knocks and knocks. He feeds excuses and reasons to open that door to temptation and sin. Sometimes all we hear is the pounding on the door. Baptism doesn’t stop temptation. Baptism doesn’t stop the knocking on the door. It helps, but the key is to choose Christ, every day. Every day. Daily. Is it any wonder that we read of the early Christians studying daily, praying daily, connecting with one another daily. Every day. Feeding the soul. Fighting temptation. Keeping the door to Satan closed. Every day. Some days are good. Other days we slip. Onward we must continue with Christ, getting stronger and more determined every day. The more we stay in it with Christ, the better we become.

Fifth, the change is for the better. There is not much good that comes from being a drunk. Being a drunk doesn’t strengthen the marriage. No, in fact, many marriages have ended because of drinking. Being a drunk doesn’t make one a better citizen. No, too often tax money is spent putting drunks in jail or trying to reform them. The same could be said about adultery. Having sexual relations with a someone you are not married to doesn’t improve your marriage. It is the only cause God will allow to end a marriage. It’s devastating and destructive. Instead, what the Corinthians changed for was the best possible. Better health. Better relationships. Better attitudes. Better outlooks. And, better with God.

There is a place for psychology. But I wonder if too much of that has convinced a society to accept the way you are rather than change. Be happy has replaced be holy. Be yourself has replaced be right with God. Pills, cheap talk, bad advice of today would have never led the Corinthians to change. The word “repent” has dropped from our vocabulary. Love Jesus and stay the way you are is the gospel of the modern church. Love Jesus and party down is very appealing. Many are dancing to that tune. The legacy of the Corinthians is haunting. Those immoral, indecent Corinthians changed. They were washed, sanctified and justified through the blood of Jesus. They became right by choosing to change.

There comes a time when we must tell ourselves and others that you simply need to change. Tell it honestly. Tell it in love. But tell it. You can’t continue on the path you are on. You can’t stay this way. You need to change. If you want to be right with the Lord, you have to change. Those words led a couple to being baptized last night. The spirit of the changing Corinthians is still alive.

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! Salvation!

Roger