Ephesians 5:3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.
Ephesians 5:4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
Ephesians 5:5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Ephesians 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Paul provides us a tough passage here, and his motivation appears to be the correction of a slackness in the people of God, for he comes out of the gate speaking of certain sins as not even to be named among the them. Those who are in the body should never hear whispers of this type of activity. Heaven forbid that the lost hear!
But alas, in todays church, it seems to be commonplace that the world hears of every dirty little secret the church has, and it seems the church, like the Corinthian church of old, revells in their “freedoms” But enough of my whining, and back to the passage.
So when Paul speaks of something not even being named amongst them, is Paul simply lamenting the churches ability to keep things under wraps amongst themselves, that secret sins should be not spoken of? Hardly think so. He is providing a warning to those who claim to follow the Savior.
The key verse within the passage for the sake of our topic is Paul’s reference to the inheritance in the kingdom of God. Two things needed to be considered.
1. Who is Paul talking to?
Is it fair to consider Paul’s warning to be applied to the believer’s in this church. Should we understand his warning to be towards those outside of the church? (Does that even make sense?)
2. What is the intended message of inheritance.
Lets read the verse once more
Ephesians 5:5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
If he is talking to believers, (and I think that is obvious) when he speaks of having no inheritance, is he implying that they belong to the kingdom, but receive no benefits? A sort of still saved but no rewards scenario? Could that be his message?
Or might it be that having no inheritance in the kingdom, means there is no family connection, no legal standing with the kingdom, the citizenship is not existent?
This is deadly serious council from the apostle, for the specific sins Paul speaks of seems to be considered flippant in todays society, and in the church, many consider it to be a norm for many within the body.
No inheritance! This should make the heart of the believer shudder.
May we find peace in the Lord and strength to maintain purity in our lives, that judgement does not fall on the church
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