Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, or idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11, NKJV, emphasis added

In my last post I posed the question, “Are you in the Word, or in the world?” I would like to continue looking at that subject by giving consideration to, what I think, is one of the most graphic passages of Scripture that speaks to this important matter. Please note that this passage selection begins with a question posed by the Apostle Paul: “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?” This is a question of grave importance. We must give it its proper place in our understanding of salvation.

There are those who believe that it is possible to live lifestyles that are diametrically opposite to the clear teachings of the Bible and still have a saving relationship with God. But Paul makes it abundantly clear that this is not possible. Listen again to the abbreviated list given by Paul: fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, sodomites, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, extortioners. He certainly could have added many more examples to this list, but these show clearly that there are certain lifestyles and behaviors that will ban individuals who practice them from entering the kingdom.

And take special note of the words that follow Paul’s opening question: “Do not be deceived.” Multitudes today are duped and deceived by the spirit of the world. and the deceptive work of the devil. The worldly mindset is that the lifestyles mentioned in this text are completely acceptable to God, and the devil wants nothing more than to deceive as many as possible into believing that lie.

As I have said in several blogs in the past, I respect anyone’s right to embrace any lifestyle they choose, but they should not buy into the lie that they can live these lifestyles and have a personal relationship with God. They will not enter the kingdom of God and will be separated from Him forever.

But there is hope! Paul gives an assertion that should breathe hope into the heart of anyone who has chosen to live in these cursed lifestyles: “And such were some of you.” Note carefully the tense of the verb: were, past tense. They had lived these types of lifestyles in the past, but no more. They had repented, turned from these lifestyles that are clearly condemned in the Bible.

I have many friends who have chosen to live one of these lifestyles. They are living in relationships that are clearly condemned by the teachings of Scripture. Jesus Christ died to pay the awful penalty for our sin, and anyone who will turn to Him in repentance and faith can and will be removed from the list of those who are banned from the kingdom of God to that of those who have a wonderful heavenly home awaiting them when they pass from this earth.

We were all at one time in that category of those who were banned from God’s kingdom. Before being born into God’s family through the saving work of Jesus Christ we were all banned to eternity separated from God. But by His grace, we were removed from those who are condemned to those who are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Hallelujah – what a Savior.

Today – this day – before you close your eyes for a night of rest, make sure that you are in the category of “such were some of you.”

Until next time:

Blessings!