Week 13, Day 1: Inheriting the Kingdom of God

Today’s Reading:  1 Corinthians 8:1-9:27

Some thoughts from Friday’s reading…

In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Paul tells the Corinthians that the “unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God.”  Following that statement, Paul told them that they should not be deceived.  This should make us pay attention to Paul’s instructions, because he is relating to us the fact that we can be deceived by others.  There are certainly many around us that will try to deceive us into believing that we can and will be saved, even if we are not obedient.  Many of the examples that Paul gave in this passage are things that people think of being “not too bad” in today’s society.  And yet, Paul teaches that those who are guilty of these sins cannot inherit the kingdom of God.

But, the good thing about what Paul wrote in this passage is that it shows that we can be forgiven!  There were some among the Corinthians that were guilty of the sins that Paul condemned.  He said, “Such were some of you…”  But, they had been washed, sanctified and justified.  In the same way we can be washed, sanctified and justified today.  No matter what sin we may be guilty of, God will forgive.  When He forgives, He also forgets.  So, if we have violated his will in any way, we can turn back to Him and be welcomed.

There are many people who feel like they have sinned in such a great way that they cannot possibly be forgiven.  Looking at this passage, and seeing what sins God had forgiven among the Corinthians should make it clear that God can forgive us.  But, if that is not great enough, consider the fact that God was willing to forgive the very people who were responsible (directly) for killing His son.  In Acts 2, when Peter was preaching the gospel message, he was speaking to many who were present when Jesus was crucified!  And yet, God was willing to forgive all who would be obedient.

It should be our greatest desire to “inherit the kingdom of God.”  To accomplish that, we must be willing to turn from sin, and be obedient to God’s will.  We also should praise God for His great love, that He is willing to forgive us even when we have acted contrary to His will.

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