In Bible study, we can see that the Corinthian brethren had issues to work out. Like a new convert, there are things that are going to take some time to understand and with them living in an immoral place, Paul had to be direct with some of the things that were going on. Paul writes, "...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, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, we see that Paul gives a list of sins that cover a diverse list of sins.
The thing that sticks out in my mind is from 1 Corinthians 6:11. After the list of sins were given, Paul then proclaims ,”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.” When we see that list of sins and Paul’s following statement we can come to the astute observation that the Christians of Corinth had left those sins and were living a Christian lifestyle that we should be living as well.
The lesson to be taken is that they had to repent and leave those lifestyles. This should make a direct impact on us as Christians. There are many people in the world today that want to feel sorry for something they have done yet still continue in that sin, be it sexual immorality, adultery, thievery or any of the other litany of sins mentioned. The example we can follow from the Corinthians is that they completely and utterly left the aforementioned sins behind and Paul commended them for it.
Are we truly repenting when we repent of sins (Luke 13:3)? It’s one thing to pray to God to forgive us, but it is another thing to leave that sin behind and not return to it. When we pray to God we need to have prayers of repentance choosing to leave whatever sin or state of sin that we may be in so that we can live our life pleasing to God focused on Him (Colossians 3:1).
Some view feeling sorry as a reasonable way to have your sins forgiven but our sins are only forgiven when we repent and leave those sins in our past. Today, choose to not just feel sorry...get rid of the things that are hindering your relationship with God. Do as the Corinthians did. They didn't just feel bad. They repented of them, putting those sins behind them and leaving them.
"Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out," - Acts 3:19
"God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.” - Acts 3:26
