Galatians 5:19-21 “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, (20) idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, (21) envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
The second time that the Holy Spirit warns us about our eternal inheritance is in the above quoted passage from His letter to the churches in Galatia. In this passage the apostle Paul warns us that saints who practice these various sins will forfeit their inheritance in the kingdom of God. Again it is very important for us to note that the Holy Spirit uses the same terminology that He used in His warning to the church at Corinth. The Holy Spirit does that because He is emphasizing the truth that these individuals remain saved, but nevertheless they will have no inheritance in the kingdom of God. On this occasion Paul reminded the churches in Galatia that he had already forewarned them about this very same thing when he previously was with them. And so he warns them yet again that believers who practice the sins listed will have no inheritance in the kingdom of God. Clearly the apostle Paul understood this particular truth and wanted the churches to be fully aware of the eternal consequence of a lifestyle of practiced sin, i.e. the forfeiture of their eternal inheritance.
Ephesians 5:1-7 “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. (2) And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. (3) But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; (4) neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. (5) For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. (6) Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. (7) Therefore do not be partakers with them.”
The third time that the Holy Spirit warns us about our eternal inheritance is in the above quoted passage from His letter to the church in Ephesus. Again it is very important for us to note that the Holy Spirit uses almost the exact same terminology that He used in the letters to the churches at Corinth and Galatia, i.e. these believers have no inheritance in the kingdom of God. And so the Holy Spirit is going to great lengths to show us that believers that practice a lifestyle of sin remain saved, but nevertheless have no inheritance in the kingdom of God. In this letter Paul again lists the sins that, if practiced by the believer, will cause them to lose their inheritance in the kingdom of God. In this letter the Holy Spirit tells us that those in the world who practice these same sins will incur the wrath of God. And so He admonishes us to not let anyone try deceiving us that these sins will not have any consequence for the believer. Because God is not unjust to punish the world with His wrath for these sins, and then let His saints commit the same sins and not be held to any account, for the price paid by the saints will be the forfeiture of their eternal inheritance.
Michael E.B. Maher
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