Ephesians 5:5-7
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. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them;
Verse 5 is a scary verse, for in it Paul declares that "everyone who is sexually immoral or impure ... an idolator... has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ". At first glance this may seem to say that there is no hope for us, for we know that that there is immorality and impurity in us. But to understand this verse we need to distinguish between our identity and our weakness. These may be areas of our weakness, but it does not mean that they define our identity. For some people it does, for it has become an idol in their life. If your life is centered around an idol like impurity, you may gain your idol, but that will be an empty victory for you will not gain God's kingdom. But if you struggle with impurity yet still desire God over the impurity, there is hope. God does not want us to go to hell. He is a just and merciful God. But the mercy side does not mean He can ignore the justice aspect, so we need to be careful about substituting idols for the living God.
Lord, forgive me for my impurity and weakness. Help me to worship You and You alone.
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. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them;
Verse 5 is a scary verse, for in it Paul declares that "everyone who is sexually immoral or impure ... an idolator... has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ". At first glance this may seem to say that there is no hope for us, for we know that that there is immorality and impurity in us. But to understand this verse we need to distinguish between our identity and our weakness. These may be areas of our weakness, but it does not mean that they define our identity. For some people it does, for it has become an idol in their life. If your life is centered around an idol like impurity, you may gain your idol, but that will be an empty victory for you will not gain God's kingdom. But if you struggle with impurity yet still desire God over the impurity, there is hope. God does not want us to go to hell. He is a just and merciful God. But the mercy side does not mean He can ignore the justice aspect, so we need to be careful about substituting idols for the living God.
Lord, forgive me for my impurity and weakness. Help me to worship You and You alone.