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The Daily Word of Righteousness
A Destructive Concept of Divine Grace, continued
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)
Paul says the same thing to the Ephesians.
I notice that Evangelical editors evade such passages (above) by saying no true Christians would live in the sins of the flesh. If they are stating that only those who demonstrate righteous behavior are true Christians, then what happened to their teaching that our behavior 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?
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!
Slaying our own resurrection.
For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, (Romans 8:13—NIV)
Paul, to whom are you speaking?
"To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints, obviously. Didn't I make myself clear in the first chapter?"
Paul, what are you saying to us in Rome whom God loves and who are called to be saints?
"I am telling you that if you live according to your sinful nature you will die."
Do you mean if we live according to our sinful nature we will die physically?
"You fool, you are going to die physically no matter how you live. What a stupid question!"
Please don't get excited. We are having a hard time figuring out what you mean.
To be continued.