And Such Were

"And such were some of you!"

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”  ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6:9-11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

"And such were some of you!"

It is so easy to look at the lost; at the captured and pass judgment on them, especially when there is hurt, unforgiveness and bitterness that has not been addressed!  It is so easy to see their faults and that is just what the devil wants us to do. He wants the division; he wants there to be strife. But to be like Jesus we must give mercy; if we want mercy - and who doesn't? 

“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

There will always be opportunities for strife; for the devil to cause unrest in families. As long as there is backbiting and mud slinging we know he is at work. But this should not be. No matter how they act we are called to a different walk.

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew‬ ‭5:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It doesn't matter what they've done, we must look through the eyes of love at even the most unlovable. And if we remember where we have come from - it helps. 

"And such were some of you!"

When we have family, who are captured, we are commanded to give mercy, because of the mercy we have been shown! Jesus loved us right where we were! He could visualize the end from the beginning; and we must take on that quality too! We must love without reservation, seeing what His work can and will do; our prayers answered even if we do not live to see it! 

And because you are light, the darkness in them will cause them to lash out at you in accusations. The enemy knows your weakest link and will use it to try and get you to sin! We must walk in love; walk in forgiveness; walk in repentance - when we fail.

“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”  Matthew‬ ‭5:11-12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It's hard but the reward is great! 

It all comes down to forgiveness!

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew‬ ‭6:14-15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

To put it into perspective: 

“Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?” Matthew‬ ‭18:23-33‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Now look at this!

“And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.” Matthew‬ ‭18:34-35‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The forgiven debt was reinstated and he was turned over to the tormentors. He now had to pay a debt he could not pay!

And that is what will happen to us if we do not forgive. So much for "once saved always saved!" See, the devil knows that and that's why he's always on the prowl! 

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John‬ ‭10:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

So: “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:1-2‬ ‭KJV

We must examine our heart, to see if there is any roots of judgments, bitterness or unforgiveness hiding in the recesses. God wants us free and we must be willing to confess and repent for any and all darkness He exposes! 

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Repent while there is still time- the stakes are high!!!

Even so - MARANATHA!