Ephesians 5:5

"For be sure of this: that no person practicing sexual vice or impurity in thought or in life, or one who is covetous [who has lustful desire for the property of others and is greedy for gain]--for he [in effect] is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God." Ephesians 5:5

The words in this verse are very strong because much attention is focused here at this point in Paul's teaching, but, NOT separate from all that we've learned, thus far. We must not forget all that Paul has said about Christ's work and God's seal upon us just earlier in this same letter. So, If this was: a. written to Christians... and, b. talking about things that we just learned are being replaced by Christ's likeness... why such strong wording?

If you have started this study from the beginning, you agreed that God's love was the basic context of all scripture, and then too, Paul began this letter to the Ephesians on the same premise of God's love for us... how He picked us out and how we had done nothing to deserve salvation. And so, we must understand that the stern tone in this verse is this same passion for you and I in what is being said. Sometimes when I am passionate about something, I sound like I'm upset, but it's just not so.

Friends, if we continue in these same sexual vices and impurity and lustful desire for the property of others (sin) without any progress... if Christ is not allowed to have His way with these things, then we MUST question our original commitment with Christ. In a marriage vow we say some things to one another that we vow to do for the other. That is the point in our relationship with Christ that this verse should take us to. We asked Christ to take over for our inability to live without Him, yet we are holding on to some of these things Paul says are not what Christians do. It's like we may have made a partial deal with God instead of what the bible asks us to do, which is to completely surrender unto the Lord. In Revelation, Christ says (through John) something very fitting to the His church and to this issue here in Ephesians...

"But I have this one thing against you, that you have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first [you have deserted Me, your first love]. Revelation 2:4

This is such a powerful word... it is a strong word because of the passion Jesus has for his people. Listen, you may go back to the alter and find that you vows were not honest... you may find that they were, but that the enemy has slipped in, distracted you... maybe you need to renew your vow today... I don't know, but we must listen to what Paul is saying here in verse 5. It's interesting, while in Revelation, I brought back here another two verses that so line up with what Paul just said before this verse. That's what God's word does... it supports itself, even when written by different people at very different times... anyway, listen to what John said and to what Paul just told us.

"Yet you have this [in your favor and to your credit]: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans [what they are doing as corrupters of the people], which I Myself also detest. He who is able to hear, let him listen to and give heed to what the Spirit says to the assemblies (churches). Revelation 2:6-7

Remember, Paul said, "let such things as this not even be named among you". And finally, let him who is able to hear (the Christian) listen to and give heed. Amen?

Let's pick up with Ephesians verse 5:6 next time.

I love you.