Celebrate Easter Big -- Lent: Day 24

Scripture:  1 Corinthians 6:6-11

The scripture today declare so clearly another reason why we are called to celebrate Easter in a big way.  These versus have become much quoted scriptures because of the good news they carry.

Paul is describing that as long as a person is “unrighteous” he cannot enter into the kingdom of GOD.  There is a critically important distinction to make here.  Paul is not talking about righteous or unrighteous behavior.  Clearly Paul is speaking about an unrighteous identity that a person is defined by if they have not experienced the redemptive work of GOD through the atoning work of JESUS CHRIST.

The list of wicked and immoral behavior listed in the following versus (9-10) is not meant to be an exhaustive list.  Paul is listing examples of unrighteous behavior conducted by people who have not experienced redemption.  It is interesting to note Paul doesn’t merely list the sins many Christians often like to mention when making judgmental statements toward others . . . fornicators, adulterers, effeminate, or homosexuals.  But he also mentions some of the more acceptable ones as well . . . idolaters, greediness, drunkenness, foul-mouth language, lying, and extortioners.

But the really important point that needs to be made is that Paul is making a distinction between behavior and one’s identity.  The list refers to those who are still living in their old nature . . . the Adamic nature that every person was born into. But in verse 11 Paul is declaring one’s nature has been changed through what JESUS accomplished through His death, burial, and resurrection once we have embraced the GOSPEL OF JESUS and have believed that JESUS is “the Christ, the Son of the Living GOD”(Matthew 16:13-19).

Here is the Good News of redemption – Through JESUS death, burial, and resurrection those of us who believe have been “washed, sanctified, justified in the name of the LORD JESUS CHRIST and in the Spirit of our GOD” (verse 11)!  Our identity has been changed!  We are no longer "in Adam" we are now "in Christ Jesus."  We are no longer descendants of Adam, we are descendants of JESUS . . . that means we are now children of GOD in Christ.  Let me use myself as an example:  Though I may continue to have some level of sexual attractions to other men that is no longer my identity.  Replace my temptations when any other temptations or even behavioral acts . . . if you are IN CHRIST those behaviors or temptations no longer define you!

So we cannot help but CELEBRATE EASTER BIG!

JESUS is Risen . . . !

Richard Holloman