Since Paul states in Corinthians that sexual sin is a sin against one's own body - can one be cleansed from it or does one carry the defilement for the rest of one's life?
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The Apostle Paul dealt with the Church at Corinth which most would agree was the most perverted, sinful and wicked of the New Testament Churches. Paul addresses the sanctity of marriage and that the body is holy and justified if washed. 1 Corinthians 6:9 "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind," 1 Cor. 6:10 "Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." Pay particular attention to this next verse! 1 Cor. 6:11 "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." "AND SUCH WERE SOME OF YOU" (passed tense) Yes, the blood of Christ cleanses us (believers) of all sin. Simply stated, If you are a truly saved, born again believer, 1John 1:9 states: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Psalms 103:12 "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us." If you are not saved, not in Christ there is no remission for sin. Remission is complete forgiveness, as if the sin had never been committed and remission of the penalty. I am 60 years old and have done a tremendous amount of confessing. I know on the authority of God's Word he has totally forgiven me. However, God's Word also states in Galatians 6:7 "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." The two principles are distinctly different. God's forgiveness is guaranteed but that does not erase or nullify the consequences our actions will have between us and those we have betrayed or offended. I have a great God and Savior who can also heal sorrow. The first step is repentance and asking God's forgiveness. Next comes the really tough part, asking the offended party for forgiveness. They may forgive immediately or over time, they may never forgive but you have taken the burden off yourself and placed it on them. Now forgive yourself, this is all you can do.
I understand how this could be worrisome. But there's hope. First, see the big picture: Regarding 1 Corinthians 6:11, as JD Abshire mentioned, "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." Seeing the big picture, this is: What God says of Believers: ‘YE ARE’— 1 The ‘Ye are’ of Purification 1 Cor. 6:11--"ye are WASHED"; i.e. you are purified! 2 The ‘Ye are’ of Sanctification 1 Cor. 6:11—“ye are sanctified” 3 The ‘Ye are’ of Justification 1 Cor. 6:11 – “ye are justified” Thayer's Greek Lexicon has this entry about “washed (ἀπολούω).” -- ἀπολούω means to wash off or away. In the New Testament, this word “washed” is used twice. Once it is used in 1 Corinthians 6:11. And the other time it is used in Acts 22:16. For the sinner is unclean, polluted as it were by the filth of his sins. Whoever obtains remission of sins has his sins put, so to speak, out of God's sight — is cleansed from them in the sight of God. So yes, sexual sin is a sin against one's own body -- it's that serious, but one can most definitely be cleansed from it. In fact, it has already happened positionally, with the Holy Spirit being the agent of this past or positional sanctification, as the theologians call it.--The Holy Spirit is the primary agent of our sanctification (1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2)--Got Questions. He does not carry the defilement for the rest of his life! The next or 2nd phase of sanctification after positional or past sanctification is progressive or present sanctification. For this, claim 1John 1:9 aas J.D. Abshire mentioned.
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