What Some of You Were

Most of us evaluate others on the basis of who they are today, rather than who they might become. For instance, I would have a hard time seeing a convicted serial killer as anything other than a serial killer. However, Paul brought me up short when he said, “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (emphasis added, 1 Cor 6:9-11 NIV).