Will Not Inherit the Kingdom of God
Galatians 5:19-21
(Photo by T on Unsplash. Berean Standard Bible)
Galatians 5:19-21 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; 20 idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
This passage shows us what the acts of the flesh are. The flesh refers to the sinful nature that every person is born with. These verses describe what a life looks like when someone is living in rebellion against God and following sinful desires instead of the ways of God. Sin affects every area of life.
All of these acts go against God’s design. Sexuality is meant to be expressed within marriage according to God’s plan. Idolatry, sorcery, and drunkenness place sinful desires and false worship in the place that belongs to God alone. Hatred, discord, jealousy, rage, divisions, factions, and envy are all opposite of loving others with the love of Jesus Christ.
When someone continually practices these things as a pattern of life without repentance, it reveals a heart that is far from God. As Paul the Apostle warns, those who live in continual, unrepentant rebellion against God show that they do not belong to Him.
As a Christian, you still battle the flesh and face temptation, but now the Holy Spirit lives within you. The Spirit convicts you of sin, leads you to repentance, and transforms your life to become more like Christ. You are no longer a slave to sin, because through Christ its power has been broken.
These verses are a serious warning about the destructive nature of sin, but they are also a reminder that God has given believers His Spirit to help them walk in holiness. Continue looking to God daily, depend on His strength, and follow Him moment by moment. ~ Jeff M Newman
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