Eph 5:5-6, "For you can be confident [lit., “be knowing”] of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let nobody deceive~| you with empty words, for because of these things God's wrath comes on the sons of disobedience."
Some have the notion that God’s grace is so forgiving that they can treat sin lightly as though it doesn’t make any difference. They think nothing will happen if they dabble in “harmless sins.” They say to themselves, “God is love, so all I have to do is to confess it to Him and He has to forgive me,” or "God loves me, so He will never harm me even if I keep sinning." It was not any different in the first century.
Paul wanted to be very clear that anyone practicing “sexual immorality, impure [or promiscuousness] and greed [lust or covetous] (such a person is an idolater)” has no part with Christ in heaven. This is a typical description of how the Gentiles lived.
If the “fear of the Lord” means that God will do exactly as He says in His Word, then we must “flee youthful lusts” (2 Tim 2:22), and “flee sexual immorality” (1 Cor 6:18). Only a fool would not heed these warnings. Paul had made it clear that such practices “must not even be named among you” (3:3). Even flippantly joking about such sins in conversations can encourage participation (5:4).
If we know God, our attitude toward sin has changed: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age" (Tit 2:11-12).
We are commanded to “stop letting anybody deceive you with empty words” (5:6). Some were attempting to persuade the believers that there were no consequences to delving into sinful practices. After all, everything is forgiven. “Empty words” are without any truth to them. They are but a shell without reality, yet some people are so hungry for sensual experiences that they hide behind falsehood as excuses.
Why should anyone who knows the attitude of God towards sin ever want to join in the sinful pornographic and lustful practices of the “sons of disobedience?” When God destroys them, you do not want to be around. These self-destructive and filthy practices attract God’s displeasure, which has present and eternal consequences.
The “sons of disobedience” are the “children of wrath” (Eph 2:2). In the next few verses Paul warns us not to become “partakers with them” (5:7), although previously they were habitually practicing such “darkness,” but now they “are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (5:8).
The clearest evidence of God’s Spirit in a believer is that sin is not the same; it brings guilt and sense of shame, whereas before it was a desirable pleasure. The Spirit comes to “convict the world of sin” (Jn 16:8), thus the believer does not enjoy sin as before. Do not quench the Spirit's conviction, but repent and take steps to avoid any behavior that dishonors our Savior.
Psa 103:8-10 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities.
For a year's daily devotional of these Bible studies, order a copy of the book Truths to Live By at Branches Publications for your copy.
Some have the notion that God’s grace is so forgiving that they can treat sin lightly as though it doesn’t make any difference. They think nothing will happen if they dabble in “harmless sins.” They say to themselves, “God is love, so all I have to do is to confess it to Him and He has to forgive me,” or "God loves me, so He will never harm me even if I keep sinning." It was not any different in the first century.
Paul wanted to be very clear that anyone practicing “sexual immorality, impure [or promiscuousness] and greed [lust or covetous] (such a person is an idolater)” has no part with Christ in heaven. This is a typical description of how the Gentiles lived.
If the “fear of the Lord” means that God will do exactly as He says in His Word, then we must “flee youthful lusts” (2 Tim 2:22), and “flee sexual immorality” (1 Cor 6:18). Only a fool would not heed these warnings. Paul had made it clear that such practices “must not even be named among you” (3:3). Even flippantly joking about such sins in conversations can encourage participation (5:4).
If we know God, our attitude toward sin has changed: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age" (Tit 2:11-12).
We are commanded to “stop letting anybody deceive you with empty words” (5:6). Some were attempting to persuade the believers that there were no consequences to delving into sinful practices. After all, everything is forgiven. “Empty words” are without any truth to them. They are but a shell without reality, yet some people are so hungry for sensual experiences that they hide behind falsehood as excuses.
Why should anyone who knows the attitude of God towards sin ever want to join in the sinful pornographic and lustful practices of the “sons of disobedience?” When God destroys them, you do not want to be around. These self-destructive and filthy practices attract God’s displeasure, which has present and eternal consequences.
The “sons of disobedience” are the “children of wrath” (Eph 2:2). In the next few verses Paul warns us not to become “partakers with them” (5:7), although previously they were habitually practicing such “darkness,” but now they “are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (5:8).
The clearest evidence of God’s Spirit in a believer is that sin is not the same; it brings guilt and sense of shame, whereas before it was a desirable pleasure. The Spirit comes to “convict the world of sin” (Jn 16:8), thus the believer does not enjoy sin as before. Do not quench the Spirit's conviction, but repent and take steps to avoid any behavior that dishonors our Savior.
Psa 103:8-10 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities.
For a year's daily devotional of these Bible studies, order a copy of the book Truths to Live By at Branches Publications for your copy.
Romans 6.2 Paul describes the Christian in truth," How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"
ReplyDeleteJust a few words that pack a lot of pointed inquiry and admonition.
They certainly describe the "real deal" Christian that has a new nature birthed by the power of God. One that eschews sin, fears God Almighty, and is grateful for having been saved from the wrath to come.