...but you were washed...

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; 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.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

In the above passage, Paul writes to the Corinthians concerning the sins of their society. He reminds them of their past involvement with immorality and how they had been washed clean from their sins through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

In the Old Testament, priests entering God’s service were bathed “all over” as an act of consecration. The experience was never repeated. However, during their daily service, the priest became defiled from handling various sacrifices. In this case, only the priest’s hands and feet were washed clean, symbolizing spiritual cleansing.

Jesus told Peter, “He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean...” (John 13:10). The Lord sensed the need for spiritual renewal in Peter’s life but only to cleanse away the defilement of the world, not to gain acceptance with the Savior.

When Paul told the Corinthians they had been washed, he also reminded them that they were sanctified and justified through faith in Jesus Christ. This too, represent a one-time act. They now were new creations and should act accordingly. His admonishment to us is to walk in the light of God’s truth, realizing that as the temples of the living God we are called to a holy priesthood.

“The great miracle of the grace of God is that He forgives sin.” -Oswald Chambers