But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints….
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.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Ephesians 5:3, 5-6

If I could perfectly obey God’s Law and live up to His standard of righteous perfection, I could earn my way into Heaven. God’s Word promises that repeatedly. The trouble is that His standard of perfection is, well… perfect. His Law says, “the soul that sins shall die.”

Our only hope of heaven is that Jesus took our sin on Himself and paid our penalty so that we can be forgiven. We can’t put our faith in our purity or moral perfection; that’s an unattainable goal.

But here He speaks to Christians, to believers who know that they’ve been redeemed and forgiven, and He tells us that those who are not pure in thoughts, words and deeds in this particular area of moral behavior have no inheritance in His Kingdom. It’s not that God is obsessed with this area of sex; it’s just that He knows that we are!

The key word, of course is “redeemed.” You’ve been redeemed out of the old life, the old slavery to sin, and called to this new life. The immoral way of thinking, speaking and behaving is part of the old life. Leave it behind. It doesn’t belong here; you’ve been redeemed.

If you choose to cling to the old life, you’re stuck with it. Choose the new life; choose to live! You’ve been redeemed and forgiven.

Lord Jesus, You alone know how deep the impurity runs in our hearts. Thank You for Your infinite forgiveness and redeeming power. Keep me close to You today in genuine love, faith and purity. Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles