This passage is a strong rebuke to the idea, prevalent in our day, that it is possible for a man or woman to be truly regenerated, born again, born of God, made alive, a new creation, and yet continue to live a life characterized by immorality. The Scripture says here that a man or woman living in fornication, or adultery, or homosexuality, or theft, or drunkenness, etc., a man or woman living a lifestyle that is in almost all respects exactly like that of an unbeliever, has no grounds to consider himself or herself to be a Christian. He or she WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD, Paul says. The Apostle is saying, in other words, if it looks like a duck, and walks like a duck, quacks like a duck and flies like a duck, it's probably a duck, even though it may have convinced itself that it's a swan. The Christian Church is inundated with ducks who call themselves swans, and believe themselves to be swans. Jesus said there are weeds planted with the wheat, maidens in the bridal party with no oil in their lanterns, bad fish in the nets with the good, goats in the flock with the sheep. Jesus will separate them in the final day, and they will be surprised to hear Jesus declare to them: "I never knew you. Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness." (Matthew 7:23) |
