Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
(1 Corinthians 6:9-11, NASB)
We are all sinners, each and every one of us. No one is without sin. And even when we come to faith through the acceptance of and belief in Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection, we still sin.
However, as we become more and more like Christ, as we mature in faith, we learn to avoid sin more and more.
And when we do sin, we need to go to Jesus and confess our sin.
These verses deal with those who haven’t committed their lives to Christ. Those people who practice sin unrepentantly will not “inherit the kingdom of God.” And I could add to this list: those who are habitually angry or prideful or those who gossip or slander.
Yes, we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), and yes, the penalty for that sin is death—eternal separation from God (Romans 6:23). And when a person knowingly and willfully chooses to live in sin, when he chooses not to follow Christ, then he chooses death.
This world is winding down. I believe this with all my heart. And one day—be it days, weeks, or years—Christ will return. Everything on this earth will be no more. So ask yourself this one question: Is the sin I choose to live in worth eternal separation from my Creator?
Temporary sin verses not inheriting God’s kingdom? I don’t think so.
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