God's Holy Fire: 'What We Are!'

Friday, January 17, 2025

Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 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.

Key Thought

There is such a powerful difference between "what we were" and "what we are." (See also Colossians 1:21-23.) And that difference is not one we could achieve on our own. That difference is made possible by the work of the Holy Spirit who has made us clean ("washed"), given us pure hearts and made us holy ("sanctified"), and declared us innocent ("justified"). Paul appears to be reminding the Corinthians of their conversion where they called on the name of the Lord Jesus to save them, were baptized in his name, and received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Today, I want to encourage you to look back to the time you came to Christ and celebrate what you are now by the power of God's Spirit and leave behind what you were before you came to know Christ. Remember what you are and don't get dragged down by what you were!

Today's Prayer

Holy and Almighty God, thank you for your wonderful grace. I praise you for what you are transforming me to be. I thank you that I am not what I once was. I thank you that even when I stumble, Jesus' blood continues to cleanse me and your Spirit is working to conform me to your holy character and your gracious compassion. Continue your work of transformation in me, I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

18 Related Resources by Heartlight

Illustration

Illustration of 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NIV —  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.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, January 17, 2025

A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
"Without the religious element, life is like an engine running without oil — it seizes up."
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
"I know the greatness of the Lord — that our Lord is greater than any other god."
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
"Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous."
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
"Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you...."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.