By: Robert Serreyn
Question? I am troubled with Galatians 5:19-21, Can you help?
Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, (20) Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, (21) Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Answer:
These are probably the MOST MISUNDERSTOOD verses along with Hebrews 6:4 and a few others that cause fear and confusion among many.
THE KEY to understanding Galatians 5:19-21 IS FOUND IN V21 where the Apostle Paul states “of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past.
Question? When did Paul say this before???
Answer: 1 Corinthians 6:9,10
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, (10) Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
TAKE NOTE that it says “Know ye not that the unrighteous (THE UNSAVED) shall not inherit the kingdom of God”.
The Apostle Paul CLEARLY IDENTIFIED that those mentioned in V9 and 10 WOULD NOT go to heaven (shall not inherit the kingdom of God) BECAUSE they were UNRIGHTEOUS (Not Saved or Righteous).
The Apostle Paul in Galatians 5:19-21 and Ephesians 5:5, along with the Apostle John in Revelation 21:8 JUST RE – EMPHASIZED the type of Unsaved people that WILL NOT be in heaven.
Ephesians 5:5 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.
Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
The Apostle Paul IS NOT saying that if a saved person HAS DONE one or more of those things mentioned in Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 5:5, or Revelation 21:8 would lose their salvation (to teach such would teach works for salvation which is a False Doctrine) but on the contrary he is JUST STATING that those TYPES OF people WOULD NOT “Inherit the kingdom of God” If they DO NOT place their Trust in Christ and his payment for their sins. And that is the answer.
The MOST IMPORTANT thing to know IS Jesus Christ as savior, just simply believe that Jesus Christ went to the cross and DIED and shed his blood, was BURIED and three days later RESURRECTED from the dead to pay for your sins.
-Christ DIED for you – Romans 5:8
-Christ PAID your sins in full – 2 Corinthians 5:21,1 Peter 2:24
-BELIEVE (Trust In Completely) in Christ ALONE as the complete payment of sin for salvation – John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8,9
“For the wages(payment) of sin is death (eternal torment in hell); but the GIFT(salvation) of God is eternal life THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord”. Romans 6:23
IT IS THAT SIMPLE – THE GOSPEL TRUTH