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 homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor
drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God (1
Corinthians 6:9-10; see also Galatians 5:19-21).
Wow, if one needs to
inherit ‘the kingdom of God’ in order to receive salvation and eternal life,
not many people will make it to heaven! But do you realise that the above
scriptures only say those who commit the listed sins ‘will not inherit the
kingdom of God’ and NOT losing salvation/eternal life?
- ‘Inherit’ in Greek is ‘klērǒnǒměō’ = to be an heir
- ‘Kingdom’ in Greek is ‘basilěia’ = a realm one rules or reigns
- ‘Inherit’ in Greek is ‘klērǒnǒměō’ = to be an heir
- ‘Kingdom’ in Greek is ‘basilěia’ = a realm one rules or reigns
If by committing sins causes a believer to lose salvation and go to hell, then the ‘kingdom of God’ here must be referred to ‘heaven’. But does the ‘kingdom of God’ here mean ‘heaven’?
- Jesus sent out His disciples two-by-two, and told them to heal the sick there, and say to the people, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.' (see Luke 10:9)
- Jesus told the people who tested Him, “But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.” (see Luke 11:20)
- In Luke 11:2, Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (see Luke 11:2)
- Apostle Paul said, “For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.” (see 1 Corinthians 4:20)
In conclusion, the
‘kingdom of God’ in the above scriptures is not referring to ‘heaven’. In fact,
to ‘inherit the kingdom of God’, or to have ‘God’s kingdom come’ means Christians
have the power of God manifesting in their lives today!
Therefore, you can’t lose your salvation even when you sin because your righteousness is the result of Jesus’ work on the cross for you and not by your religious or disciplinary act (see 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 2:21; Titus 3:5). But doesn’t it give Christians the passport to sin? No! Read on and you will know why.
Then, how about the ‘Unpardonable Sin’ mentioned by Jesus?
Okay, good question!
"Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of
men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the
Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation (Mark
3:28-29; see also Luke 12:10, Matthew 12:31-32).”
Wait! Isn’t Jesus the
way, the truth and the life that no one goes to the Father except through Him
(see John 14:6)? Why is it so that ‘the blasphemy against Jesus is pardonable’,
but ‘the blasphemies against the Holy Spirit is unpardonable and subject one to
eternal condemnation’?
Apostle
Paul who was formerly a well-known ‘Blasphemer
of Jesus’ gave the answer in 1 Timothy
1:13-14, “although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent
man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And
the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are
in Christ Jesus.”
In
order to know why the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit has no forgiveness,
let’s look into some of the roles of the Holy Spirit:.
- Only He can convict the world/unsaved of the sin of unbelief in Jesus (see John 16:8-9).
- No one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 12:3).
- Anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Christ (see Romans 8:9).
- Only He can bear witness in your spirit that you are children of God (see Romans 8:16).
- He is the guarantee of your inheritance in Christ (see Ephesians 1:13-14).
- Only He can convict the world/unsaved of the sin of unbelief in Jesus (see John 16:8-9).
- No one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 12:3).
- Anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Christ (see Romans 8:9).
- Only He can bear witness in your spirit that you are children of God (see Romans 8:16).
- He is the guarantee of your inheritance in Christ (see Ephesians 1:13-14).
In conclusion, as long as you adhere to the conviction of the Holy Spirit who bears witness in your spirit that Jesus Christ is your Saviour and Redeemer, there is no way that you can commit ‘unpardonable sin’.
Moreover, the Holy
Spirit in you will always remind you of your righteousness in Christ (see John
16:10). Also He bears the ‘fruit of the Spirit’ in you (see Galatians 5:22-25).
Your walk in the Spirit of Christ is never a ‘self-effort-religious-discipline
under the law’. It is a walk of intimacy and of total dependence on Him. Your walk
with Him will result in inward transformation that will eventually manifest in
the outward change (see 2 Corinthians 3:18)!
The Holy Spirit in you
gives you the assurance that you belong to Christ and you are righteous in
Christ, He changes you to be more like Christ each day, and He manifests the
Kingdom of God/His power in and through the ‘living temple of God’, that’s you!