What is the most important part of a Thanksgiving meal? For most of us, the focus naturally falls on the food. (Of course, family is high on the list, but still—the food…) The smell of the turkey overwhelms you. The sound of mixers mashing potatoes announces that it will soon be time to eat.
For a smaller group of people, the day is about the decorations. The dining room is prepared to perfection. The tablecloth is ironed. The place settings are flawless. The good silverware is laid out. Stemware makes its annual appearance.
These “decorator” people invest incredible energy to ensure everything is ready. They know the beautiful setting will disappear the moment the prayer is said, but the moment just before the food is served—the anticipation—is worth every minute of preparation.
The rest of this book will describe the bountiful meal that is ours when we understand salvation. What you will read may best be described as a Thanksgiving feast. My prayer is that you gorge yourself on the rich blessings of God’s salvation. We will feast on the promises of God.
Before we dig in, I invite you to overview two key passages of Scripture. They appear in Paul’s longest letters and serve as a preview of the gift of salvation offered to us through Jesus. This overview will not give an in‑depth examination of each word—that will come later—but it will prepare your heart for the feast ahead.
Hear God’s Word and allow yourself to salivate as you anticipate the feast to come.
A Sobering Beginning: The Depth of Our Sin
In the first passage, Paul gives a reminder of the depth of our sin followed by a glorious message of hope.
1 Corinthians 6:9 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 r 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
Paul’s words fall like a hammer on the heads of anyone who honestly reflects on their life. He identifies the common human experience. He speaks of the depth of humankind’s sinfulness.
Paul lists words that describe people in a sinful state. Whether these particular sins or others are listed, the result is the same: we are broken by sin. That sin separates us from God. We have no hope of eternity as long as our lives are characterized by sin.
Wrongdoers will not inherit eternal life? How do we recover from that? We cannot—not in our own strength. We may try to escape this list. Some of Paul’s words may leave us feeling positive: “I may not do…” But inevitably we see ourselves described in other words.
Is it possible you don’t see any of these sins in your own life? Can we truly say we never allow anything to take the place of God? Such actions are idolatry. Who can avoid the creeping battle with wanting more? Greed sneaks in.
Left to ourselves, every human will find themselves on this list. Do not fall into the destructive pattern of singling out one sin. We must call sin what it is. Detestable sin is still detestable. All sin dishonors God. We are all on this list and do not deserve a part in the feast to come.
Tragically, some stop reading after verse ten, bringing guilt or condemnation to others. Please read on.
11 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.
The gospel—the good news—begins with the phrase, “And that is what some of you were!” You were guilty. You deserved condemnation. But.
This verse is God’s great answer to mankind’s sin.
You were washed, sanctified, and justified. Each of these will be examined during our feast. Know this: they are done. These are accomplished realities that overcome the pain of human sinfulness.
Through the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of God, your life has been changed. You were on Paul’s list, but God has given you something else.
A Second Preview: The Unbreakable Work of God
Paul’s second key passage comes from Romans. He continues to set the table for the feast to come. In what many consider the pinnacle of Scripture, Paul gives another preview.
The context of our key verses is found in one of Scripture’s most well‑known promises.
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
All things will work together for good. ALL things. Everything in our lives will find fulfillment in God’s great plan. They are not good in themselves, but God will weave together the good and bad things. He will knit them into His redemptive purpose.
All things work together for good to those who love God. Paul’s promise is not applied to every person on earth, but to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. God will redeem the lives of those He has called.
The audience in this passage is clear. The promise extends to those who are loved and called. In this great context, Paul pauses and reflects on the entire work of God through Jesus.
29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
As with the previous passage, this introduction will not elaborate on each of these words. Paul lists the major elements of salvation. Each helping will be served up in the coming chapters.
As with his exposition in Corinthians, Paul’s words speak of accomplished realities. These unbreakable words bind us together as we consider the cross. They are all accomplished by Jesus. Each of these words in both passages is accomplished. They are done.
