Joel M Bradshaw

9Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And such were some of you. 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 (with emphasis)

Paul was writing to Christians in a very sinful, sexualized culture. Most of the members of the Corinthian church would have had backgrounds that might have made some modern churches blush. So Paul was quick to remind them that their former life choices were former for a reason. They were not being judged for their pasts, but the new life in Christ must not resemble their old lives before Christ. You might not read your sin in the list I quoted above, but sin is still sin. No excuses.

When my life resembles the old Joel instead of the new Joel in Christ then I am being a hypocrite. I have seasons of my life that I look back upon with shame and regret. I have journeyed not only with depression but addiction. When the old Joel rears his ugly head, I have to own my sin and be intentional about repentance. Each Christian has that facing them. You used to live lives that pleased yourself. Now that you belong to Jesus you live lives that please Jesus.

Some of the greatest acts of discipline are to not repeat our sinful past choices. Jesus has provided your story eternal hope when it formerly had no eternal hope. Your life has a new focus and mission in Jesus now. Your struggle might feel overwhelming at times, but I encourage you to keep struggling. Deny yourself, pick up your ‘cross,’ and follow Jesus.

Jesus does not limit you by your past. He saved you from it. But your past should no longer define how you live your present. And the life you live in the present communicates your hope for the future. Are you owning what you can own? Do you actively struggle against the former you? Are you intentional about the right things?–JMB