Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, [Colossians 3:5-9 NASB]
Paul has just said;
For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. [Colossians 3:3 NASB]
He was, of course, talking about our spirit. Spiritually, we have died with Christ. He said in Galatians;
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. [Galatians 2:20 NASB]
Now he is saying that since we have spiritually died with Christ, we should consider ourselves dead to sin. He speaks of sexual immorality; not only the act, but the lustful motivation behind it; greed (which is idolatry); anger and its escalating consequences; and harmful speech.
Paul makes similar lists of the fleshly acts in other places, such as;
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. [Galatians 5:19-21 NASB]
Paul is giving this warning - not to the world - but to Christians. God's wrath will come on the sons of disobedience. Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
We live in a liberal society where morality is considered "old fashioned". It is not only common, but is expected that young couples will live together, maintaining a sexual relationship outside the bounds of marriage. This attitude has, unfortunately, become common in Christian households as well, and not only among the younger generation.
The people of the world are simply living as the world lives, and that's their business. But within the church, it should be different.
If you are living with someone in a sexual relationship outside of marriage, consider this: you are choosing to live an immoral lifestyle. Your are practicing immorality. I fear for you.You may say that I have no right to judge you, but in fact I do;
But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? [1 Corinthians 5:11-12 NASB]
I know that God is gracious. I know that He forgives sins. I know that nothing can separate us from God's love. But I also know that it is possible to fall away. He says in Hebrews;
For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. [Hebrews 6:4-6 NASB]
He piles description upon description to describe a believer who is filled with the Spirit. And what does it mean to fall away? He says later;
For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, [Hebrews 10:26 NASB]
I don't know the limits of God's grace. I don't know how far you must push Him before you have fallen away. Please consider this warning, whether you are willfully sinning in sexual immorality, drunkenness, greed, or any other sin. Don't test God's limits. In speaking to the church about Israel, Paul said;
You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. [Romans 11:19-22 NASB]
Don't become complacent about God's grace. You have a choice; you can walk according to the flesh, or you can walk in the Spirit. You can live in fear of punishment, or in the hope of salvation. I implore you to turn your mind towards God, and walk in the spirit.
Lord, I thank You that I have been crucified with Christ, and have died to this life. I pray now that You will give me the grace to live it out.
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