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

 Good morning. Last time Paul listed a bunch of despicable people and said they would not inherit the kingdom of God. He then says: such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified (note that all are in the past tense) in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. So there is hope for all. You don’t have to be perfect to become a Christian. God will transform you and renew your mind. Of course it is much more than that – it is a transforming of your heart. But if your mind is not transformed, it will get in the way and put you in the mindset where you will want to do the old things. All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. This should be our attitude at all times. In all situations, we should be in charge, not the activity or substance. Even if in itself it is OK, the fact that we can’t do without it is a warning sign. We are being mastered by it. Father help us to stand firm against the desire to do things that we know or suspect are not right. Help us to be in charge, not the activity or substance.

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