A Portrait of Paganism 1 Cor 6:9-11

1 Cor 6:9-11

A Portrait of Paganism

We have looked at some lists from the pen of the Apostle Paul. We have noted how lists are one way the Apostle teaches as he writes under inspiration of the Holy Spirit. In our lives, many of us use lists to remember important items. We use shopping lists, lists for chores around the house, to do lists for all sorts of reasons, bucket lists for those experiences we would like to indulge ourselves with before it gets too late to do them. Lists are immensely practical. Paul's lists teach us many things. We learn about the nature of all sorts of items from the characteristics of natural men in Romans 3 to these lists in 2 Tim which is likely the last book written by Paul. I have often thought of writing a book about Paul and his lists. Some are short containing 2 or 3 items others are around 20 or more, if my memory serves me correctly. You can find a list from Paul on most of the important topics. Love is defined in 1Cor 13:4-7 by using a list of the character qualities found in someone who truly loves others. We find a list of the evidences of regeneration produced by the Spirit of God in the life of any and all who truly believe in Gal 5:22-23. Those fruit of the Spirit are found in the context contrasted with the works of the flesh--what people do naturally under the influence of sin and depravity Gal 5:19-21a. The rest of verse 21 reads, "of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Gal 5:21b)"  

These lists are amazing and worthy to be hidden in our hearts. I don't mean just rote memorization, but to think about them often and make application to yourselves regarding them when you see them in yourself to any degree--make sure you put them to death. Or, if you see they are not there, thank God for the grace that has delivered you, conquered you and is transforming you to say "NO!" to ungodliness and worldy lusts as we find in Titus 2:11(NIV).

Take some time to read Paul's epistles starting with Romans to discover for yourself these divinely inspired lists. Other biblical writers and preachers use them, too. But for now, as you have some extra time, discover and read these informative lists from the Holy Spirit using the pen of Paul.

Back to some brief comments about Gal 5:21b. The Bible tells us clearly that those characteristics are not those found in anyone who will inherit the Kingdom of God.

An inheritance is something one receives after the death of another. It is based on promises made or pledged by one to another. In the New Testament, the fullest use of the phrase the Kingdom of God has to do with the promise to believers of what they will receive at the end of their life. Those benefits and blessings are clearly based on what Jesus has earned for them. We are given many things in this life, but the fullness of what we will be given and experience is to be found in heaven. Paul wrote to the Philippians, "For me to live is Christ, to die is gain." A great deal of what Paul will gain is the incorruptible inheritance already acquired by Jesus for his people. It awaits all who truly believe. It is an awesome set of precious promises that are our's. We are only waiting to get them.

The parts of the inheritance we experience in this life are a foretaste of what we will experience in heaven. It is a little tidbit, an appetizer of sorts that points us to the fullness of the glory of God that we will experience forever in the unending presence of the Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is the light of heaven--there is no sun there because Jesus's glory is enough to light the city. All of our inheritance to be realized is too great to be described with words. Some things are worth trying to understand. It is all of glory and wondrously given to us as the inheritance of the Lord Jesus Christ and his Heavenly Father.

When we read these lists that tell us the characteristics of those who will be in heaven, we should pray to God to work those qualities in us. When we see the characteristics of those who will not inherit the kingdom of God, we should likewise pray that those things would not be what defines us, that are not our habits, nor even our regular actions. God can help us to not be tempted by the thoughts that cause these sins. But, we must train ourselves along with the Spirit's help in these areas. We can't do it on our own. We need God's power, every hour to conquer sin in any degree.

There are many scriptures from the real life situations in churches that can help us to grow in grace. The same Spirit that brings one to spiritual life, will complete the work he begins (Phil 1:6), and we can be confident about that.

This is why I have chosen to speak on a Portrait of Paganism. It might surprise you, but Western culture is reverting back to a more Pagan world and life view every year. It is happening in many areas where the Biblical idea of God is marginalized. Other idols are allowed as long as they don't make any claims upon the life for attention of affection.

We have fallen from being under the influence of the God of the scriptures to a number of other notions of gods that are not truly God at all. 1 Cor 6:9-11 is one of the passages that epitomizes Paganism for our understanding. Beware! Some of what it says, yes, even here in the scriptures, can be shocking. And, some of this has been desensitized by translators for public reading. To have heard this list from the Apostle by a native Greek speaker, would have sent a wave of surprise and disgust through the mind and soul of God's people. To the Ephesians, Paul once wrote about things that are not mentioned in public in our time according to our sensitivities. In this passage, he mentions things that would have had a shock factor.

We would do well to listen.

1. The Unrighteous (9 & 10)

1Cor 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived.

2. The List of Unrighteousnesses

9b Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners

3. A Reminder of the Unrighteous

10b will inherit the kingdom of God. 

4. The Gospel and the Unrighteous

11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

Back in 2Tim 2:19 we learned two important truths:

2Tim 2: 19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: (1)"The Lord knows those who are His," and, (2) "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

The Lord does both of these over time in those he has called to be his people. He knows all of his people and he knows them fully. I would go so far as to say, he knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows our struggles. He knows how much we hunger and thirst after righteousness. God knows what is in every man, woman and child--professing believers are in a special class of being known by God. He pledges to work in us until the day when Christ shall return and bring about a new future age--the fullest expression of the kingdom of God.

The second reality from the passage is that those who name the name of God all have the same starting characteristic--they depart from iniquity. They do not tolerate sin reigning over them from internal causes or from external causes. They seek after righteousness. Or, as we read in the wonderful summary Matt 6:33, they seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. As we seek the kingdom of God, he will rule in our hearts more and more until that glorious day when we will be dead to sin in a glorified state in the fullest manifestation of the kingdom of God.

Until then, we are under many influences: some good, some not so good, others are downright evil. Thank God the scriptures tell us about many of these evils that we should avoid.

Not all professed believers do avoid sin as fully as they ought. Sometimes it is due to backsliding. But, other times it is due to a lack of true faith. People get uncomfortable when preachers start talking about this possibility. To preach the whole counsel of God, it must be brought up. And, baptisms give us opportunity to talk about new, fresh faith. And, it allows those who have become self-satisfied with a lack of growth in the Christian life to examine themselves to see if they are in the faith really and truly. If the conclusion is drawn that one has not really believed, then cry out to God for the faith that changes you from being dead in sin to the start of a journey on the straight and narrow where you become more and more dead to sin and alive unto God.

The Text:

1. The Unrighteous (9 & 10)

1Cor 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived.

The question is asked assuming a positive answer. That is how this form of double negative functions in the original Greek.

Yes, we know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God when they die, or when the Lord returns to bring about the end of time. Yes we know! Was the expected answer.

To that is added a simple command to not be deceived about this matter. Many in the modern church are confused at best and otherwise deceived on these issues—at least some of them.

Now, remember in 1 Cor., Paul is writing to the whole Church, not just one person as we find in his letters to Timothy. Paul wants the believers in Corinth to affirm that they know the unrighteous, or those who live in a crooked manner violating God's Law and Commands will not enter the kingdom of heaven, will not have any place in it and will not inherit it as the last and final act before the final age is ushered in. There is something final about the way this is conveyed.

People, even so-called professing Christians want to soften the gospel and the tangible effects it ought to have in the lives of the saved because of a lack of seeing these things in themselves or in others they know. The true believer will be known by some degree of true righteousness. In some there will be more than in others. In some it takes a lot more grace to go a little bit of the journey than it takes to move others along the way. But, all who are truly saved by a work of God will show it in their life--they cannot help but show it. Even the thief on the cross once born-again showed his renewed humanity in defending his newfound Lord and then wanting to be remembered. Jesus assured him of his salvation.

The text starts with this assertion that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Even though they should know, Paul reminds them of the basic characteristics of unrighteousness by way of a list:

2. The List of Unrighteousness

A. Five Uncomfortable sensual characteristics: 9b Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,

B. Five More Categories of Humans:  10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners

The sensual are very direct in the original. Those who will not inherit the kingdom of God are those who are unmarried and have illicit sexual relations with other unmarried people or with married people, married people who have improper relations with other married people, idolatry which is spiritual harlotry or adultery--after being espoused to Christ, it is those who seek after other gods or religions and all the sensuality that goes along with that worship, it lists homosexuals and sodomites. The original means those who are either active or passive in same-sex relations.

All of these behaviors are practiced in our culture and even a great deal of so-called Christians try to find justification for including people who practice these things. One of the battlegrounds where a war for manssoul is being fought is the battleground of sexuality and sensuality.

The remaining five of the ten characteristics are expressed in the negative: nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners.

That is quite a portrait of sin that defines what Paganism was all about. Yet, some of these are practiced by professing Christians who see nothing wrong with them. There are people who do these sorts of things who never sit in chairs during Christian worship and people who do these sorts of things who go to churches, even some good churches, and are so desensitized to sin, so they never see it. People rob from God a la Malachi 3 by withholding what is due to God. They are thieves in churches. That is what God calls it.

There are many who want more and more stuff. Coveteousness is one of those insidious sins. The Apostle Paul before his conversion had no idea how covetous he had become. It was only after the Law pointed it out that he saw his sin. Drunkards are those people given over to intoxicating substances. Drunkenness causes all sorts of other sin. They lose control over their flesh while imbibing and after taking too much. Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit.

There are many rude revilers who attend church. Yet, it is one of those things keep men and women from inheriting the kingdom. God sees it as a particularly pernicious sin. Different people do this in a variety of ways: whispering, gossip, rumor, sarcasm, speaking lies, and many other creative ways. They speak against or in a contrary manner to or about others. And, people use extortion in all sorts of ways to get what they want or to get people to conform to their desires for them. Leaders, or those desiring to be can be the worst at this.

But, there is the list of ten things that are the characteristics of those who will not inherit the kingdom of heaven--and we haven't even read from Gal 5 or other places where we find similar sentiments.

God is concerned with righteous living--not to earn his grace, but out of love to him we live in growing obedience. Righteous works follow salvation by faith alone. It is a reaction of the regenerate heart to the saving grace of God. When you recite Eph 2:8-9, remember vs 10 as well: for we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works.

Then to close off the list, Paul ends where he begins. He gives ….

3. A Reminder of the Unrighteous

10b will inherit the kingdom of God. 

This is serious stuff. Paul, the Apostle had high expectations for those coming out of paganism to believe.

But, there is needed application for our day as we become more and more Pagan. 

Those ten characteristics of Paganism are ten characteristics of where our culture is already. We need not fear for the future. The future is upon us.

A. Five Uncomfortable sensual characteristics: 9b Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,

B. Five More characteristics:  10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners

These are people is our society with whom we interact every day. We can't avoid them. To avoid them we would have to go out of the world. We might like the books and movies about sci-fi themes, but it is not a place to which we can escape. It is people to whom we must bring the gospel to or bring them to hear the gospel. This is what makes this passage so relevant for today.

The difference in the life of one who lives in godly ways often provokes questions. When more was heard about the changes God made there was a sense of wonder. Especially when they hear about others who God has changed. One man was affected. He heard the gospel from a friend and came to hear it at church as well.

It wasn't anything special about the one who came, but special in the one who called by the Spirit to open eyes of understanding, to soften a heart toward God, and to give faith, saving faith with repentance.

Even atheists and agnostics need to see and hear the gospel. If they won't come to us, we must make our lives interesting to them. They should see the hope we possess enough to ask why we are different.

That is what someone or some people did in Corinth so that great sinners, including sexual deviants, came to believe and to live in righteousness. Or as Paul wrote….

4. The Gospel and the Unrighteous

11 And such were some of you.

Yes, sitting in the seats amid the other believers in the church in Corinth were all sorts of people from questionable backgrounds, that are in reality not any worse than ours before we had our eyes opened, our hearts softened, and were born again in order to see the kingdom of God (John 3:3).

How did they think when they heard the words of Paul read for the first time? They should have rejoiced. Nobody who God calls and saves should be despised for any reason unless by their continued living in unrighteousness they forfeit their standing with others. But, we take people on the basis of a credible profession of faith to be baptized and brought into the membership of the church. The church is like an ark for those being saved. It is made up of animals and beasts. Paul continued:

11b But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

From these wicked sins, they and we have been forgiven. We are taken and placed in Christ with the blessed position of being special to God and he has justified us in the name of Jesus and by the working of God's Spirit.

To people like this we need to bring the gospel or to bring them to hear the gospel. In all things we should seek to point them to the Lord Jesus Christ who alone can give the salvation from sin that all and every person needs.

He can save and change even those the professionals of our day say cannot be changed. Such is the power of God in Christ that can save any and all--including the likes of us. He changed Paul from a murderer of “The Way” to being its chief theologian and Apostle to the Gentiles. What about John Newton from a slave trading captain to a minister and hymn writer who knew the Amazing Grace of God that saved a wretch like him.

Don't think of yourself in a haughty way, but a humble manner. Thank Jesus for the salvation he has given or seek him for the salvation only he can give. Ask Him to open your eyes. Call on him to soften your heart. Plead with him to give you new life. Ask for the new birth to be a child in his Father's household. What blessings can be ours if we truly believe. AMEN