No Inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ Ephesians 5:5

Paul the apostle exhorted the Ephesian church members not to have “fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness” “named among” them. They were to be as “saints” and not allow inconvenient “filthiness, foolish talking, jesting” but rather “giving of thanks” to be their manner of speaking. In chapter five and verse five of his letter, Paul continued his incitement as he informed them concerning those who have no “inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God” where we read:

For this you know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

The verse begins, “For this you know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater,...” Paul began with the word “For” which means “even, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, therefore and verily” “this you know” or “the same has been or belongs”, “that no whoremonger” which is the Greek word “pornos” and refers to “a man who prostitutes his body to another's lust for hire, a male prostitute, a man who indulges in unlawful sexual intercourse and a fornicator”, “nor unclean person” which means “not cleansed and impure in thought and life, morally lewd, demonic and foul”, “nor covetous man” which refers to “one eager to have more especially what belongs to others and greedy of gain” “who is an idolator” or “a worshipper of false gods who participates in the worship of heathen feasts and eats of the remains of offered victims; a covetous man as a worshipper of Mammon”. The list of sins given by Paul includes “male prostitutes”, “lewd and foul” men, and those who are “greedy of gain”.

The verse continues, “...has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” Paul added, “has any inheritance” which means “property received, what is given one as a possession or patrimony” “in the kingdom” or “royal power, kingship, dominion, rule and authority” “of Christ” who is “the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God” “and of God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Those who participate in the previously mention sins shall receive no “property” or place in God's kingdom.

When we think through these words of Paul, woe should be upon those who take part in the sins he mentioned. Jesus Christ came to save people from their sins, and if their lifestyles, thoughts and activities align with those he mentioned, they are candidates for His salvation. Christians are never to have these activities as part of their lives, and if they do, they endanger their eternal future.

Next time Paul tells the Ephesian church members to “let no man deceive you with vain words”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.