As I'm reading through the threads this morning.... I see the usual differences and opinions.
But I am really encouraged because I see something else. I see many threads about quitting sin.
There are of course debates about "how perfect d I have to be"? I hope this thread doesn't get sucked
into those debates. The purpose here isn't to say "how" good you have to be. Only to say..
.... a change is expected ....
Eph 4:28; He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.
This is pretty basic... if you're a thief. Stop stealing.
1 Pet 4:1; Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
1 Pet 4:2; so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
1 Pet 4:3; For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.
1 Pet 4:4; In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you;
1 Pet 4:5; but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
The language here is a bit awkward. "to live the rest of the time in the flesh". This simply means
"while you are still alive in your fleshly body".
We are supposed to "no longer" live for the lusts of men.
There comes a time we should be "past" carrying out these desires.
Verse 3 has the list of things we should no longer be pursuing.
The word Gentiles is used two ways in the Bible. Often it just means "non Jews". In the context above, it
mean "unsaved sinners".
It says "they are surprised" that you don't continue running around with them and keep on doing the
same things they do. Is this you? Are your friends surprised that you have different priorities than they do?
Do they wonder why you don't go out drinking and carousing with them anymore?
Or are you just continuing on in sin like nothing ever happened?
===============================================================
1 Cor 6:9; Or 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 effeminate, nor homosexuals,
1 Cor 6:10; nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Cor 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.
Verses 9 and 10 give another list of things to avoid. Stealing, drunkenness, adultery, etc...
Verse 11 is the key here. "Such were some of you". But you aren't this way anymore. You were changed.
You quit doing these things. You weren't washed and sanctified so you could continue to do these things.
You were washed and sanctified because you repented and "quit" doing these things.
If you're still doing these things, you will not inherit the kingdom of God.
===============================================================
Eph 5:3; But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints;
Eph 5:4; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
Eph 5:5; For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Eph 5:6; Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Eph 5:7; Therefore do not be partakers with them;
Do you hang around while your friends tell dirty jokes? Do you join in and try to tell a dirtier one?
Do you make crude comments about a woman's physical body parts?
These people have no inheritance into the kingdom of God. Have you ever really thought about that?
Let no one deceive you. The wrath of God will come upon people who practice these things.
... there are dozens more verses like this in the Bible. I you know of some that talk about living differently
because you are a Christian... please post them here.
But I am really encouraged because I see something else. I see many threads about quitting sin.
There are of course debates about "how perfect d I have to be"? I hope this thread doesn't get sucked
into those debates. The purpose here isn't to say "how" good you have to be. Only to say..
.... a change is expected ....
Eph 4:28; He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.
This is pretty basic... if you're a thief. Stop stealing.
1 Pet 4:1; Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
1 Pet 4:2; so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
1 Pet 4:3; For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.
1 Pet 4:4; In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you;
1 Pet 4:5; but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
The language here is a bit awkward. "to live the rest of the time in the flesh". This simply means
"while you are still alive in your fleshly body".
We are supposed to "no longer" live for the lusts of men.
There comes a time we should be "past" carrying out these desires.
Verse 3 has the list of things we should no longer be pursuing.
The word Gentiles is used two ways in the Bible. Often it just means "non Jews". In the context above, it
mean "unsaved sinners".
It says "they are surprised" that you don't continue running around with them and keep on doing the
same things they do. Is this you? Are your friends surprised that you have different priorities than they do?
Do they wonder why you don't go out drinking and carousing with them anymore?
Or are you just continuing on in sin like nothing ever happened?
===============================================================
1 Cor 6:9; Or 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 effeminate, nor homosexuals,
1 Cor 6:10; nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Cor 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.
Verses 9 and 10 give another list of things to avoid. Stealing, drunkenness, adultery, etc...
Verse 11 is the key here. "Such were some of you". But you aren't this way anymore. You were changed.
You quit doing these things. You weren't washed and sanctified so you could continue to do these things.
You were washed and sanctified because you repented and "quit" doing these things.
If you're still doing these things, you will not inherit the kingdom of God.
===============================================================
Eph 5:3; But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints;
Eph 5:4; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
Eph 5:5; For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Eph 5:6; Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Eph 5:7; Therefore do not be partakers with them;
Do you hang around while your friends tell dirty jokes? Do you join in and try to tell a dirtier one?
Do you make crude comments about a woman's physical body parts?
These people have no inheritance into the kingdom of God. Have you ever really thought about that?
Let no one deceive you. The wrath of God will come upon people who practice these things.
... there are dozens more verses like this in the Bible. I you know of some that talk about living differently
because you are a Christian... please post them here.