Into the Kingdom

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

As such, we are told to walk in love. If we are to imitate Christ, love is a must.

In fact, if we get this right all of the other attributes will fall right into place.

vv.3-4:

Ephesians 5:3 (NKJV)

But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;

Ephesians 5:4 (NKJV)

neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

The type of behavior listed here is completely incompatible with a Christ-like lifestyle.

Sin and all of the filthiness and bitterness and malice that come with it, have no place among God’s children.

Instead, we should be thankful for His grace and mercy.

v.5:

Ephesians 5:5 (NKJV)

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.

God never tolerates sin, He never laughs at it, winks at it, or turns a blind eye to it. He hates it.

People say “God will understand”. No he doesn’t, it’s not ok “just this once”. No sin is ever justified, not for any reason...ever. There is never an adequate excuse.

We justify it in countless ways, but any justification is in vain.

God hates sin, and will never accept it.

Proverbs 6:16-19

Proverbs 6:16–19 NKJV

These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

Unrepentant sinners (aka unsaved) will never see the glories of heaven. The only thing the unsaved can look forward to is an eternity in hell.

God hates sin. He hates it so much that He said the penalty for it would be death.

Genesis 2:17

Genesis 2:17 NKJV

but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Romans 6:23

Romans 6:23 NKJV

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

He hates it so much that He sent His Son as the payment for sin.

Jesus is the only remedy for sin.

Romans 5:8

Romans 5:8 NKJV

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Hebrews 10:10

Hebrews 10:10 NKJV

By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Jesus judged sin by sacrificing Himself on the cross.

He defeated sin by rising from the grave.

Without Jesus, there is no access to the Father, there is only condemnation.

John 14:6

John 14:6 NKJV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

John 3:18

John 3:18 NKJV

“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Romans 10:9

Romans 10:9 NKJV

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Though you may have been any one of these things in the past, If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you have been forgiven.

You are no longer known by your old deeds, You now have a new identity in Christ.

You have been transformed, and the old has been washed away. Now, when God looks at you, He no longer sees your past sins, He sees only His Son.

Hebrews 10:16-18

Hebrews 10:16–18 NKJV

“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.

Now for the born-again believer who falls into sin (it does happen), it is not a ticket to hell.

For the born-again believer, God has saved you and that will never change.

Once you are adopted into God’s family, you will always be part of the family.

When a believer sins it harms their relationship with God.

God will no longer be able to use them as He ought, they will not be able to fulfill their calling.

However, restoration is possible.

1 John 1:8-9

1 John 1:8–9 NKJV

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Sin has no part in the Lord’s kingdom, but the Children of God do.

vv.6-7:

Ephesians 5:6 (NKJV)

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Ephesians 5:7 (NKJV)

Therefore do not be partakers with them.

If you are part of God’s kingdom, why would you be dwell in a realm of darkness?

Christians should have no desire to commune with evil.

2 Corinthians 6:14-15

2 Corinthians 6:14–15 NKJV

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?

The truth is: We as Christians have no excuse for being taken in by a false gospel. We have access to the entirety of the Word of God by way of the Bible.

Born again believers have the help of the Holy Spirit, and can study and understand the Scripture.

With the Bible in hand, we have the means to test and confirm everything we are being taught.

We have the truth, so there’s no excuse for believing a lie.

Scripture specifically tells us to test the things we hear.

1 John 4:1

1 John 4:1 NKJV

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

It is literally and open book test. How in the world do some still get it wrong.

Typically, the false prophets do it willfully. But what about their followers? Laziness, pride, ego, self-centeredness, and greed will all get in the way of the truth.

Because of this, people are either too lazy to find the truth, or they have no desire to find the truth.

But these things will invoke the wrath of God, and you don’t want to be anywhere near it when that happens.

For this reason, we should have no fellowship with those who would spread a false gospel.

Thankfully, we serve a God of hope.

A God who, despite His anger and wrath in the face of sin, reigns with love and grace and mercy.

No matter what your situation is right now, no matter what your past is like.

No matter how many horrible things you may have done, there is hope.

God is calling today.

Jesus is standing at your door, knocking.

Revelation 3:20

Revelation 3:20 NKJV

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

He wants to give you the peace you so desperately long for.

Today is the day, now is the time.

2 Corinthians 6:2

2 Corinthians 6:2 NKJV

For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Don’t let it pass you by, tomorrow is not guaranteed.

All you have to do is call on Jesus Christ.

Romans 10:9

Romans 10:9 NKJV

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:13

Romans 10:13 NKJV

For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

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