I admit at the very outset of today’s Lesson that I have consulted a couple of commentaries in reference to our Bible Text. I wanted to be sure that I was handling a specific verb correctly. (I long to “rightly divide the Word of Truth!”)
Paul writes (in this final Lesson on “the works of the flesh”) a clear warning: “That they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:22b
What things?
The “black list” we’ve been studying for weeks!
“Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like.”
Wow!
Is Paul saying anyone who has ever committed one of these acts is lost, doomed forever to Hell? Even once so transgressing?
No, Paul is not saying that!
The “key” to understanding this Line is the verb “do.” (As in “they which DO such things ….”) It is the Greek word “prasso.” And it is framed as a present participle, one in the active voice, nominative case, and masculine gender, as well as plural in number!
It thus means “one who does again and again” these things!
One who essentially “practices” these things!
One who has made these sins (or even some of them) a regular part of his “lifestyle!”
Something about really getting “saved” changes one’s love for sin!
A quick aside … In Paul’s theology keeping/obeying the law can never save a lost soul. That miracle occurs only by the Grace of God through faith in Jesus. But then gain, violating the law, ignoring it completely, living wide-open to the flesh, is a sure sign a person is not saved either!
Wow!
It’s clear really! “… that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
And what does it mean “to inherit” the Kingdom of God? “Kleronomeo” here implies “getting your share” of the Father’s property!
As specified in Romans 8:14 … “And if children, then HEIRS; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ ….” Amazing!
A serial (repetitious) “doer” of the works of the flesh … then is NOT a child of God!
The “kingdom of God” is Paul’s catch phrase for spending eternity with God and His Son Jesus Christ! He has previously used this precise phrase when preaching to the Galatians also!
“And when they (Paul and Barnabas) had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch (cities of Galatia), confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Acts 14:21-22, Note both the parentheses and capitalized words, please.
In closing, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 similarly illustrates today’s Lesson. Read this please. “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, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. (Then the good news!) AND SUCH WERE SOME OF YOU: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
Wow!
What used to be (that list of sins) … IS NO MORE … via the dynamic changing Power of God the Holy Spirit!
Hallelujah!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell