Daily Devotions
Ephesians
"For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God."
Text: Ephesians 5:5
INHERITANCE IN THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST AND GOD
So many assume that they are “saved” and therefore they have an inheritance in the Kingdom of God. Let us take time to consider two sets of people who made this very wrong assumption:-
1. Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-10)
a) Both were part of the Church in Jerusalem.
b) They saw how members like Barnabas sold their property and gave the full proceeds to the Church (Acts 4:36-37).
c) They too sold a piece of property, and they tried to give the impression that they were like Barnabas… they had given their all
d) They were guilty of having lied “to the Holy Spirit” (Acts 5:3)
e) Their hearts had been corrupted and were filled with Satan (Acts 5:3).
f) They were part of the physical, local church community, but they had no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God
g) The Lord meted out the death sentence against them, so that they might not corrupt others
2. Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8)
a) He was said to have “believed” (Acts 8:13).
b) He was even “baptized” (Acts 8:3).
c) He even “continued” to follow Philip in his preaching/teaching (Acts 8:13).
d) Philip did not see through him but the apostle Peter did.
i) Peter rebuked him for his covetous spirit (Acts 8:20).
ii) The apostle denounced him with these words:
You have neither part nor portion in this matter,
for your heart is not right in the sight of God.
ACTS 8:21
REITERATING AN IMPORTANT TRUTH
The idolatrous person, even though he may proclaim faith in Jesus, does not have any inheritance in Christ’s kingdom. Who is the idolatrous person? He is one who has been influenced to indulge in “fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness”.