Yes, people with a sinful past can be saved.
The Bible shows that even those with the most immoral backgrounds can be saved. In 1 Corinthians, Paul reminds believers that although they were once guilty of various sins, they were washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus. Les Feldick emphasizes that God's grace is greater than any sin, and no one is beyond salvation if they believe.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 — This passage directly addresses the question by listing serious sins and then stating that believers were washed, sanctified, and justified.
The Bible, in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, lists various unrighteous behaviors—such as sexual immorality, idolatry, adultery, theft, covetousness, drunkenness, reviling, and extortion—and states that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. However, the passage then says, '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.' This indicates that believers have been cleansed from their past sins. Furthermore, Romans 5:20 says, 'But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound,' showing that God's grace is sufficient to cover even the worst sins.
Les Feldick teaches that people with a sinful past can indeed be saved. He points to the Corinthian believers, who came from backgrounds of idolatry, gross immorality, and paganism, yet they were saved and became believers. Les emphasizes that when God justifies a sinner, it is as if they had never sinned. He states, 'God cleanses the idolater as though he had never fallen down before an idol. He justifies the drunkard as though he had never taken a drink. He justifies the adulterer as though he had never committed adultery.' Les also stresses that salvation is not based on cleaning up one's act first, but rather on believing while still ungodly. He often references Romans 5:20 to show that where sin abounds, God's grace abounds much more, and there is no soul so steeped in sin that God cannot save them instantly and make them a trophy of His grace.
In 1 Corinthians 6:11, Paul tells believers, 'ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified.' Being washed means being cleansed from all wickedness (Clip 1). Sanctified means being set apart for God's purposes. Justified is the judicial act of God whereby He declares the sinner just as if they had never sinned (Clip 1). This means God cleanses the idolater as though he had never fallen down before an idol, justifies the drunkard as though he had never taken a drink, and justifies the adulterer as though he had never committed adultery (Clip 1). This cleansing is done in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of God, involving the whole triune Godhead (Clip 5).
No, a sinful past does not prevent salvation. Les Feldick points out that the Corinthian believers were saved out of abject idolatry and gross immorality, yet they were saved (Clip 3). He also emphasizes that even the most vile sinner can be saved in a minute, cleaned up, and made a trophy of God's grace (Clip 7). The only thing that prevents salvation is unbelief, not the depth of sin. Les teaches that people often think they need to clean up their act first, but the Bible says to believe while you are yet ungodly (Clip 6).
What the Bible Really Says About Judging Other Christians
children. But so far as any fidelity, any integrity of the marriage relationship, they had none. They thought nothing of it. In fact, I think I even alluded to one of the Oriental nations, I think it was Thailand, I'm not sure. But one of the news magazines had made it a cover story a year or so ago, and of the rampant prostitution in Thailand.
Washed, Sanctified, Justified
Les explains that being washed, sanctified, and justified means God declares the sinner just as if they had never sinned, cleansing them from all their past wickedness.
Grace Greater Than Sin
Les emphasizes that where sin abounded, God's grace abounds much more, and the Corinthians were washed of their sins just like Peter and the other apostles.
Saved Out of Idolatry
Les points out that the Corinthian believers were saved out of abject idolatry and gross immorality, proving that a sinful past does not prevent salvation.
Sins Already Forgiven
Les notes that Christ took on the sins of every human being, and those sins are forgiven and buried in the deepest sea, showing that God's pardon is already available.
The Triune God Works in Salvation
Les explains that the whole triune God is involved in washing, sanctifying, and justifying believers, demonstrating that salvation is fully God's work.
Believe While Ungodly
Les teaches that people don't need to clean up their lives first; they must believe while they are yet ungodly, just as the pardon is already provided.
No One Beyond God's Grace
Les states that there isn't a soul so steeped in sin that God can't save them instantly and make them a trophy of His grace.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11: 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, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 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.
This passage directly answers the question by showing that despite past sins, believers are cleansed.
Romans 5:20: Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
This verse supports the idea that God's grace is greater than any sin.
Yes, according to 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, such were some of the Corinthians, but they were washed, sanctified, and justified. Les Feldick teaches that God's grace is greater than any sin, and He justifies the adulterer as though he had never committed adultery (Clip 1).
No, Les Feldick teaches that you come to Christ while you are yet ungodly. He says, 'You do it when you are yet ungodly' (Clip 6). Salvation is not about cleaning up your act first but believing in the finished work of Christ.
Les Feldick says, 'There isn't a soul living on this planet so steeped in sin and wickedness, that God won't save in a minute' (Clip 7). God's grace abounds where sin abounds (Romans 5:20).
Watch the Teaching: What the Bible Really Says About Judging Other Christians