Practising Sin
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; Idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions And envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21-NIV)
Would anyone like to venture that the Apostle Paul is not speaking to the Christians in Galatia?
Notice the statement, "those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." Incidentally numerous Christians exhibit these characteristics.
Some editors will admit that Paul is addressing the churches in Galatia. But, they say, the people who do these things never were real Christians.
Thus they utterly confound themselves. If the members of the churches of Galatia practiced the works of the flesh, as so many American Christians do, and then we say they never were true Christians, then how, pray tell, do you identify a true Christian? By his or her righteous behaviour?
Paul said the same thing in other epistles!
For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person-such a man is an idolater-has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. (Ephesians 5:5-6-NIV)
As we said, Christian editors evade such passages by saying no true Christians would live in the sins of the flesh. If they are stating that only those who demonstrate righteous behaviour are true Christians, then what happened to their teaching that our behaviour is not related to our "sovereignly installed salvation"? Can't they see they are arguing in circles?
Why can't we be immoral, filled with anger and dissension of every sort, and still inherit the Kingdom of God, if it is true that believers "stand in grace"?
I think the eternal security people better review their position.
Well, let us suppose Paul is addressing unsaved people. Is Paul implying that if they do not practice the sinful works of the flesh they will inherit the Kingdom of God? No Christian believes this!
Why don't we just abandon our contemporary traditions and state clearly and unequivocally that if Christian believers are immoral, divisive people characterized by jealousy, dissension, and fits of rage (which they often are) they cannot possibly inherit the Kingdom of God? Why don't we adhere to the Bible for a change? How refreshing this would be!
True, it is agreed, they cannot inherit the Kingdom but they are saved by grace. God does not see their sin, only the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
In other words, Paul is correct and our tradition of grace is correct, and somehow, somewhere, sometime, in a realm of logic not available to us in the present hour, both positions are true. Paul is correct in saying sinful people will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Today's teachers are correct in saying no matter how we live we can never really lose our salvation.
Maybe being saved is one thing and being in the Kingdom of God is another. Now we have two groups of people. One comprising immoral, angry people whose personality God overlooks. The other composed of righteous, holy individuals who are members of the Kingdom of God.
Which group are you in? Would you care to join me in never-never land?
The inability of devout, competent scholars to perceive the inconsistency of their position on grace is enough to drive one crazy!