Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlerswill inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. – 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
The gospel touches the deepest issues of our lives, even the most powerful issues of temptation and addiction. Is Christ able to help you here?
If we are to be delivered from sin, we need more than a Savior who is able to forgive our sins. We need a Redeemer who is able to break the power that leads us to sin.
In 1 Corinthians 6, we find real-life examples of how Christ sets people free. Notice the patterns of compulsive behavior:
• The sexually immoral—includes the whole world of sexual addiction.
• The thieves—who are takers rather than givers.
• The greedy—who are unable to control their spending.
• The drunkards—folks under the power of alcohol.
• The revilers—people who cannot control their tongues.
• The swindlers—those who have never cut a straight deal in their life.
That’s what they were. But not now! Paul reminds them that “you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (6:11).
The gospel is the power of God for the salvation of all who believe (Rom. 1:16). That is the significance of redemption—the ability of Jesus Christ to set us free from deeply ingrained patterns of compulsive behavior.
In what areas of life are you in need of Christ’s redemptive power to set you free?
