Ephesians 5:5 For this you know, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater… 1. That there is a kingdom of God. This notion implieth, on God's part, His sovereign authority and right to command; and on our part, both duties and privileges. 2. There is no entrance into this kingdom but by coming into the kingdom of Christ. 3. The title or right to the privileges of Christ's kingdom is by way of inheritance. "If a son, then an heir of God through Christ" (Galatians 4:7; and Romans 8:17), "If sons, then heirs, joint heirs. with Christ." 4. By the tenor of the Christian doctrine it plainly appeareth that whoredom and all uncleanness excludeth men from this inheritance.It appeareth plainly by these particulars — 1. Because it is contrary to that covenant by which all enter into Christ's kingdom. 2. Because of God's express exclusion. Surely. they are excluded from this inheritance whom God excludes and Christ excludes (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10). 3. From the heinous nature of the sin. It is a sin of great atheism and great infidelity. 4. It is idolatry. Primary idolatry is when Divine honours are given to any creature. But howls whoredom and uncleanness idolatry? Because by it men are addicted to some base thing which they prefer before God. "Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God" (2 Timothy 3:4, 5). Because they have not that spirit that should fit them and make them meet for heaven. 6. This exclusion is so absolute and peremptory that it admits no exception but that of sincere repentance, which is both a change of heart and life. No other repentance is true but a quitting and leaving these sins before they leave us.Three things are apt to deceive you. 1. Some trouble for these sins while you go on still to commit them. 2. The next thing that will deceive you is some faint resistance or striving against sin, but it groweth upon you. 3. That which will deceive you is a hope to cry God mercy upon your death beds; and so, after an impure life, men hope still to go to heaven. (T. Manton, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. |
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