Ephesians 5:1-6 is a sobering passage, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. 3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; 4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an 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.” (NASU)
One who is immoral, impure, or covetous is an idolater at heart, worshiping self. Verse 6 commands us not to let ourselves be deceived because the holy and righteous wrath of God will come down upon us. 1 Corinthians 6, Colossians 3, Galatians 3, Galatians 5, Matthew 7, Revelation 21, and Revelation 22 add to the list of things to be wary of in our own lives. The common theme in all these passages is that whoever is guilty of the things listed will feel the wrath of God and spend eternity separated from God. The combined list is very long and I expect touches every single one of us. The list includes: fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, swindlers, immorality, impurity, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, cowardliness, unbelieving, and lying. Well, I stand condemned and I expect that you do also. Each of these passages makes the consequences very, very clear. Separation from God in the next life except for His righteous and holy wrath being poured out on the guilty is the result.
That is the bad news, but wait, there is good news. God has made a way for us to be made right with Him. God has offered a free gift that will restore our relationship to Him. That free gift is the sacrificial, atoning death of His Son on the cross. There is nothing we can do to earn this; it is a gift. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (NASU) Let no one deceive you; there is no other way. Acts 4:12 puts it plainly; “There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” (NASU) Jesus states it clearly in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (NASU)
Some might see these as harsh statements. That is not the issue. Really, the question is: are they true statements? One must make up his own mind about whether he believes the Bible or not. That is the point. The choice is belief or unbelief, faith or non-faith. The stakes are very high. Eternity is a long, long time. The difference between heaven and hell is huge. I think it behooves each of us to take more than a cursory look at the issue. It is the biggest choice facing each of us. The offer is fantastic but it is a limited time offer.
