Ephesians 5:5-6 “For this you know with certainty, that no sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, which amounts to an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. See that no one deceives you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.”
Pastor Herk continues, stating that the Apostle Paul was warning the church in Ephesus against those who were trying to deceive them into thinking that they could still pursue the secular immoral lifestyle which was totally acceptable to their culture and still be Followers of Jesus Christ. A lifestyle that is immoral in the eyes of God is totally incompatible with a disciple in Christianity. Sin and righteousness is like darkness and light; they do not mix. Not only is there a difference between leaping into sin and lapsing into sin, but there is also a difference in the consequences. John 3:36 confirms that” the one who believes in the Son has eternal life; but the one who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”
Ephesians 1:11-14 “In Him [Jesus] also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” The born-again Believer that occasionally lapses and falls in sin does not lose their inheritance into the kingdom of Heaven. Though there will be disciplinary action by our heavenly Father as a consequence of our voluntary transgression of the divine law, or violation of a divine command. You don’t get off scot-free.
Ephesians 2:8 “For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God.” Since it is the shed blood of Jesus on the Cross, and not our own merit, that provides our inheritance, there is nothing that we can do to forfeit it. The gift of the Holy Spirit has always been God’s means of regenerating his people to new life. The indwelling Holy Spirit guides Christians in their faith and is the seal upon them that they will ultimately inherit all the blessings of Christ. Once we have become children of God as a result of God’s work of redemption and reconciliation on our lives, He is not going to write us off. Romans 8:16-17 says, “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” Those who are saved by grace through faith and then lapse into sin, do not endure the wrath of God.
Ephesians 2:1-3 explains that “you were dead in your offenses and sins, in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all previously lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the rest.” But, those who have repented of their sin, believed, accepted and receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord have replaced that wrath with God’s mercy and grace, receiving salvation by faith. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 corroborates, “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
God does disciple His children when they sin. Hebrews 12:9-11 expounds, “we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we submitted and respected them [for training us]; shall we not much more willingly submit to the Father of spirits, and live [by learning from His discipline]? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for only a short time as seemed best to them; but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness [right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose].” We have to be aware that there are consequences when we sin. At the very least, our lapses in sin always hinders our relationship with God. But God must disciple us in order for us to recognize our sin, confess it and repent.
Those who loved the darkness rather than the Light of Christ because their deeds were evil, willfully and intentionally leap into sin, forfeit their redemption and the wrath of God remains on them. John 3:17-18 states, “God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him [the Savior of the world]. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.” For this you know with certainty, that no sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, which amounts to an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Hebrews 9:27 declares, “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” What is that judgment? Revelation 20:11-15 “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Today counts forever.
Let's continue Pastor Herk's message on believers and unbelievers in the nest post.
In Christ, Brian
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