Wrongs that will not inherit the kingdom of God

I Corinthians 6:9-11 (NLT)

Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.  Some of you were once like that.  But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Those who do wrong……..doesn’t that include just about every human being who ever lived?  Haven’t you done wrong in your life?  Or, do you see yourself as a perfect human being?  No, you know that you have done wrong and, in fact, continue at times to commit a sin (or a sin of omission).  The Bible says that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God.  So, who can inherit the Kingdom of God? 

First, what does it mean to inherit the Kingdom of God?  To inherit the Kingdom of God has several interpretations---becoming a child of God (John 1:12, Romans 8:16-17), entering heaven (I Peter 1:3-5), a place where sinners cannot live (Gal 5:19-21, above passage), and entering under the rule and sovereignty of God (Col 3:15).  Just as earthly children inherit the estate of their parents so children of God are given the right to inherit His Kingdom.  But, you must be a child of God so please believe and understand the meaning of verses like John 1:12 and Romans 8:16-17.  You must confess Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord (Romans 10:9-10) and be sealed with God’s Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13-14) in order to be considered a child of God be an heir to His Kingdom. 

Paul list 10 “wrongs” in verses 9 and 10.  Homosexuality is one wrong and that sin tends to dominate the thinking and accusations of those against homosexuality, but there are nine other sins mentioned.  Those who judge others because of a certain sin likely are just as guilty of one or more of the other sins listed here.  Of the 10 wrongs listed, 4 are sexual, 3 are related to money or possessions (theft, greed, and cheating others), and 3 are related to extreme practices (idol worship, drunkenness, and being abusive).  Other translations for being abusive include being a reviler, lying about others, or using foul language.

Some people, even Christian people, review this list of wrongs and scoff.   Christians, even Christian pastors, do not believe that some of these wrongs are sins.  People justify adultery, homosexuality, idol worship, lying and so forth.  However, regardless of what you believe, God’s Word says that committing these wrongs will keep you from inheriting the Kingdom of God.  So if do not believe that one or more of these wrongs are sins and continue to do them and never repent, you are risking your position in the Kingdom of God. 

If you do believe that these wrongs are sins, yet sometimes commit these wrongs, are you jeopardizing your position in the Kingdom of God?  Well, indeed, as a Christian saved in Christ, it is your responsibility to live your life under the Lordship of Christ and do all you can to avoid these wrongs.  Yes, in your past life, you may have been practiced one or more of these wrongs.  But, Paul writes in verse 11 that while you were once like that, you have now been “cleansed”, “made holy”, and “made right with God” because of your testimony that Jesus is now Savior and Lord of your life.  You have called upon the name of the Lord (a common phrase for receiving openly and publicly the Lord Jesus Christ as your savior) and have been sealed with the Holy Spirit of God. These three terms---cleansed, made holy, made right with God---are the three phases of salvation—justification, sanctification, and glorification.  Calling on the name of the Lord and giving your life fully to Him gives you the right to inherit the Kingdom of God!

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you”.—Matthew 6:33.  According to Jesus seeking the kingdom of God is the most important pursuit of your entire life.  How do you react to this truth?  What changes do you need to make in your daily life?  Are you convicted of any of the 10 wrongs that Paul lists above?  What must you do to eradicate them from your life forever?