What Makes You Sin?

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 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 and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

The Corinthian Christians had a distorted view of the grace of God. They assume that they can tolerate Christian brothers who continually sin, and let the grace of God cover their every sin. After all, God’s grace is sufficient to cover multitude of sins. While it is true that God is super gracious, it is not an excuse to commit more sins. Not only the Corinthian Christians have these kinds of problem, but even more with Christians today.

In these verses, Paul stresses the need for constant sanctification of Christians from worldliness. Jesus came and died on the cross to wash, sanctify, and justify those who acknowledge His work of love, and accept Him as Lord and Savior. And if you are a person who did just that, then you have the righteousness of Jesus to stand before the Almighty God in the Day of Judgment. Getting our fire insurance through Jesus Christ is just one part, the other part is for Christians to fulfill the rest of the contract – of living righteous and blameless life like Jesus did, and be effective witnesses of God’s goodness and holiness so that the world may believe.

Are you a Christian who constantly sins? Don’t be deceived, Paul said, have your mind, soul, and spirit cleansed constantly - or you’re endangering your inheritance in God’s kingdom if you continue practicing those things listed above. Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” (John 15:5-6). You may not lose your salvation, but you may lose your fellowship (cast out), vitality (withered), and rewards (burned).