“LET NO MAN DECEIVE YOU”

“For this, ye know* (see note below), that no whoremonger (sexually impure), nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath ANY inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words…”
Ephesians 5:5-6

How clear is the call of the New Testament to LIVE righteously! Men and women who declare anything contrary to this are deceptively speaking empty and “vain words”. The Church in our day has been “deceived” with another Gospel; one in which people are comforted and excused for sin rather than delivered FROM sin by the power of God through faith. Faith is the means by which we are empowered to live a life of victory over sin, self, and the world.

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith”
1John 5:4

We live in a day where sin is sympathized with, excused, and tolerated. We speak as if the LOVE of God overlooks our sin and rebellion. God’s estimation of SIN is revealed by the necessity of the sacrifice of HIS SON at Calvary. By faith, we have access to the “law of life in Christ Jesus” whereby we are enabled to live righteously in God! The true LIFE which Jesus came to give to every believer is one of victory and power. This life is known in reality by the power of the Holy Spirit putting to death the DEEDS of our body…

“For if ye live after the flesh,
ye shall die:
but if ye through the Spirit
do mortify the deeds of the body,
ye shall live”
Romans 8:13

The true life that God gives is one of a growing righteousness. The Kingdom of God is not in having the necessities of this life rather it is “righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit”! Somehow the “gospel” of today absolves men and women from living righteously by the teaching that relieves them of any accountability. Woe to those who preach such a word and woe to those who listen to such things that are clearly contrary to the WORD of GOD. All will be without excuse.

“Who will render to every
man according to his deeds”
Romans 2:6

Jesus presents the Kingdom as a narrow way in which few will find its glory and wonder. We read in the Book of Revelation concerning those who will ENTER the gates of the CITY of God…

“And there shall in no wise enter into it (The City of God) ANY THING that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life”
Revelation 21:27

Righteousness lived here on earth by faith is the hope we have that is set before us. Faith is the divine enablement to LIVE righteously, HOPE is the power to energize our will to do so and LOVE is the fruit of this life! (Faith, Hope, and Charity)

“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they THAT DO his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city”
Revelation 22:12-14

*NOTE: Obviously this was common knowledge in the days of the early Church from which we have strayed greatly. “For this ye know…”

Brian Troxel