It is a phrase that I can find no single adjective for because of its over-arching, yet, very precise meaning to each of us.
In fact, I will let you fill in the blank.
It is a ___________________ phrase penned by Paul as he described the sin-forgiving power in His name:
“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 6:11 NASB, (emphasis mine)
“Such were some of you.”
Just what “were” we?
Unrighteous,
“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” (vv. 9-10 NASB).
But that is what we were!
For in our conversion, when we were washed, sanctified, and justified, our unrighteousness was cleansed into righteousness. And it came all through Jesus,
“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB).
To be justified is to be declared righteous and not guilty.
Rather than theologically expound on the doctrine of justification, let me share the bottom-line practicality of this work of God:
Justified: “Just-as-if-I-never-sinned.”
Hence, “and such were some of you” because you have been justified.
