Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:7-11

Washed, Sanctified, Justified

Intro.

1. Inconceivable for a Christian to suppose he or she can live in sin and go to heaven, Jas. 4:4; 1 Jno. 2:15-17; Rom. 6:1-2.

2. Yet, some in Corinth were arguing just that, 1 Cor. 6:13-15.

3. Still, some Christians invoke this sentiment by rationalizing the on-going practice of sin and/or ongoing fellowship with sin.

a. These say: "No one has perfect knowledge", therefore, no one can be sure what every doctrine is. Make allowance for, tolerate and redefine sin. (Only God has "perfect" knowledge, yet Col. 2:2-3; 2 Pet. 3:18.)

b. The issue is practicing sin, rejecting the Scriptures that expose it and having continuing fellowship with unauthorized teaching and conduct, 2 Jno. 9-11.

4. Our conversion, our commitment to divine truth and our communion with Christ compel us to put sin to death and live for Him, 1 Cor. 6:9-11.

5. Washed, sanctified and justified (6:11; Acts 18:8):

a. In the name of the Lord Jesus: Power of His blood.

b. By the Spirit of our God: By means of the truth He has given.

I. YOU WERE WASHED.

A. Cleansed by Blood of Jesus, Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; Heb. 9:13-14, 22.

B. Through the Washing of Water by the Word, Eph. 5:25-26.

1. “...in 1 Cor. 6:11, lit., ‘ye washed yourselves clean...’” (Vine).

2. Action of faith: Baptism, Rom. 6:3; 5:8; Acts 22:16 (18:8).

a. Grace: Christ’s blood and bodies washed with pure water, Heb. 10:19-22; Tit. 3:5.

b. Faith: Man’s genuine response that appeals to God for a good conscience (removal of sin's guilt), 1 Pet. 3:21.

II. YOU WERE SANCTIFIED.

A. Set Apart from Sin by the Blood of Jesus, Heb. 10:29.

1. “To separate from profane things and dedicate to God.” (Strong’s)

2. “To purify by expiation: free from the guilt of sin (blood, jrp); to purify internally by renewing of the soul” (faith, jrp). (Ibid.)

3. Jesus is our means of sanctification, 1 Cor. 1:2, 30 Þ Eph. 5:25-27.

B. Things that are Said to Sanctify Sinners:

1. Blood of Christ (grace and power), Heb. 13:12.

2. Holy Spirit (agent of our sanctification), 2 Ths. 2:13 (1 Pet. 1:2).

3. Truth (means), Jno. 17:17, 19. When sinner obeys truth in fai­th.

4. Obedience to the gospel, Rom. 6:17-22.

5. God’s grace (blood of Christ) and man’s faith (obey gospel).

C. Set Apart for Holy Living, Eph. 5:27.

1. "Sanctification is also used in NT of the separation of the believer from evil things and ways.” (Vine)

2. Your sanctification, 1 Ths. 4:3-8:

a. God’s will, 4:3.

b. Learned from God, 4:4 (by His truth, Psa. 119:9).

c. Called by God to holiness, 4:7 (cf. 1 Pet. 1:15-16).

d. Do not reject God in this matter, 4:8.

3. Faith put into practice in order to avoid sin, 2 Tim. 2:19-23.

4. Context of 1 Cor. 6:11: Going to law against brethren, 1 Cor. 6:7; All forms of immorality, 6:9--10, Fornication, 6:13-15.

III. YOU WERE JUSTIFIED.

A. Acquitted of the Guilt of Sin by the Blood of Christ, Rom. 5:9.

1. Pronounced “not guilty” of sin and granted life, Rom. 4:25; 5:10, 18.

2. By grace, through faith, Rom. 3:23-26; Jas. 2:21-24.

3. Justified before God (not necessarily before man, cf. 1 Cor. 4:13).

Conclusion

1. Acts 18:8: Hearing, believed and were baptized (1 Cor. 6:11):

· Washed (cleansed by their sin).

· Sanctified (separated unto God).

· Justified (freed from their guilt of sin).

2. “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?” 1 Cor. 6:9

-(Adapted from lesson by Larry Hafley)

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: July 28, 2015