1 Corinthians 6:9-11 “The Limits of Forgiveness”

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 “The Limits of Forgiveness”

What defines us? Quilter, computer person, runner, fisher person, artist, talker? As you think of words that would define you, I will do a little overview. Paul was talking about law suits between church members. Why were there law suits? Because of the things we read here in vs 9-11

Who are we? What are we? When we look at other people in the church, what do we see? Here is a good list but not exhaustive of the unrighteous. These people cannot inherit the Kingdom of God.  

Now the most important part. “And as such were some of you. But you were washed” You were that but now you are this. This fact is so important for us in relating to God, ourselves, and to each other.

First, is a warning to not let these sins define our character. We may slip from time to time and sin, but we should work on being transformed so these things do not define us. There needs to be push back against our sinful nature. Romans 7:14-25 Paul has a Holy Struggle within himself, and so do we. We must strive to not let these things define us.

Second is that we need to see ourselves as washed, sanctified, and Justified. We are forgiven. This is who you are, what you are. The first three words to tell someone who you are is, forgiven, transformed, righteous before God. Focus your identity on what Jesus has done and is doing in your life and not your sin. Let these things define you. Who are you? You are the forgiven. What are you? A person being transformed.

The eyes of the accuser (Satan) or the Redeemer (Jesus).

Pealing the onion. Layer by layer.

Third is that we need to change the way we look at others. When we know of the sinful things others do we start to define them by their sin. They become greedy, drunkards, liars, swindlers, gossips and immoral. We know that our brothers in Christ will be in a holy struggle just like we are. They will fail just as we do. But we are not to define them by their failure but define them by God’s grace.

Who are they? They are the forgiven. What are they? They are people God is transforming. We should not define them by their unrighteousness but by Gods’ forgiveness and Holy Spirit.

When the game stands tall: We do not expect perfect performance, just perfect effort.
People rise to your expectations. Define them by their sin, they sin. Define them by God’s grace and they will find victory.

The danger of defining children:

Are you in a struggle for Holiness? Have you been defining yourself by your defeats or your victories? Whose eyes do you see your life through? The accuser or the redeemer?
Have you been defining a brother or sister in Christ by their failure or by their victories?
Whose eyes do you see their life through? The accuser or the redeemer?
Whose eyes do you see life through? The accuser or the redeemer?