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.
1 Corinthians 6:11
Today’s passage is part of a larger portion of Paul’s letter instructing believers to avoid suing one another in a court of law. He informs them that they are already defeated when they cannot settle their differences within the church (1 Corinthians 6:7). Paul also points out that this would be a bad behavioral demonstration for the watching, unbelieving world (1 Corinthians 6:6). He then launches into a list of ungodly behavior, reminding the believers that those kinds of lifestyles belong to those who will miss out on the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Finally, he reminds them that they are to be different since they have already undergone spiritual transformation, having obtained salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. It is the transition between each section in this portion of his letter that is vital for our correctly interpreting Paul’s instructional goals.
This passage is sometimes used to promote the idea that avoiding ungodly behavior is the only way in which we can obtain entrance into the kingdom of God. What this philosophy does is move us away from the finished work of the cross and, instead, adds behavioral necessities to the salvation process. In other words, if we do certain things and avoid others, we can hope that we will obtain entrance into the kingdom of heaven. This belief system couldn’t be any further from the gospel. We would do well to remember the words of Paul as he addresses the issue of justification (being made right with God):
…nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.
Galatians 2:16
Our justification, righteousness, and salvation are all accomplished when we place our trust in the finished work of the cross (Galatians 2:16, Romans 4:4-5, John 3:18). Therefore, we should not use this passage to promote a works-based, religious doctrine rather we need to see that these believers were already saved and that spiritual reality was the reason for them to demonstrate good behavior. His progression of thinking is obvious:
“Avoid suing one another because it makes us, as believers, look like the rest of the world. There are people in the world who are not going to inherit the kingdom of heaven, so do not be like them (by suing each other and living like them) because you, as believers, have already been forgiven of your sin, set apart, and made right with God.”
Simply put…Paul is reminding them why they need to be different. And that reason is because they were already redeemed, not so that they, through good behavior, might be redeemed. This is apparent in his next statement, “such were some of you…” These believers had already undergone salvation therefore the ungodly behavior listed by Paul in the previous passage was to be a part of their past.
Let’s consider the three spiritual realities Paul uses in describing a believer:
- Authentic Christians have been forgiven of all of their sin (washed)
Paul’s declaration to the world is that through Jesus Christ, there is forgiveness and spiritual freedom. Consider the following:
Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.
Acts 13:38-39
When we come to Christ by faith, we are forgiven for the totality of the sin in our lives. As we read in the Prophets:
All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.
Isaiah 53:6
When Christ suffered and died on the cross, it was for every iniquity committed. God’s forgiveness means that our sin will never be held against us (Psalm 103:12, Romans 8:1).
- Authentic Christians have been set apart from the rest of the world (sanctified)
When we consider what it means to be “sanctified”, we need to understand that sanctification is the process by which Christians are set apart for the purposes of God. Every born again believer in Jesus has been a gift or gifts that are to be used for the building up, general health and well being of others. These gifts are things that we should enjoy doing. They are activities that give purpose and meaning to life. While our spiritual enemy would like nothing less than to see Christians disqualify themselves for service due to some behavioral failure, the cross gives us the qualifications necessary to fulfill our spiritual purpose (2 Corinthians 3:4-6).
- Authentic Christians have been made right with God (justified)
We are made right with God (justified) by faith in the finished work of the cross. This is what makes the good news, good. When we place our faith in Jesus (and not in ourselves or our own performance), we find love, joy, peace, and spiritual rest. And along with this firm, spiritual foundation comes power and ability to effectively carry out kingdom building tasks. To be “justified” means that God declares us “as we ought to be.” The obstacle, due to sin, that once kept us from fellowship with God has now been removed in the work of the cross (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). As believers, we have now been reconciled to God and this reconciliation will last throughout eternity.
It is because of these spiritual realities that believers in Jesus Christ should think, speak, and act differently than the rest of the world. Although imperfect and still capable of weakness and failure, we are to live with confidence, strength, and faith that come from completely trusting the work of the cross as the means for our acceptance by God.
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