+DEV+ You Are Not What You Were

Date: January 13, 2014 11:15 PM
Topic: +DEV+  You Are Not What You Were

You Are Not What You Were

"That is what some of you were. 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 6:11)

Scripture Focus: 1 Peter 2:9-12

What a powerful argument for personal holiness summed up in these words: "You are not the person you once were; so do not live as you once lived." That is essentially what Paul is saying.

In the preceding verses Paul describes the lifestyle of the ungodly and then adds this profound reminder: "That is what some of you were." Looking back on how much we have been forgiven is simply staggering. Knowing what we were makes us immensely thankful for what we now are.

And praise God for the next little word in the passage - one of the most important in Scripture - the word "but." That is what you once were, but... something has happened to change you. Paul says you were washed (your sins no longer mark you), sanctified (made holy) and justified (declared blameless). This radical change surpasses any kind of cleaning we ourselves could accomplish. Christ has made us what we are!

That radical change took place in my life when I received Christ as my Savior. I am not the person I once was, and I thank Him for it.

Insight:  "Lord, help me when I slip back into my old style of living. Help me know the enormous difference you've made in my life."


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