I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Summary: In all things, it is important to remember that our enemies are spiritual forces, not people made of flesh and blood.
This past Saturday afternoon, I was at a family gathering near Seattle. The weather was perfect. The scene, idyllic. The food was plentiful, and the conversation was pleasant. People who hadn’t seen each other in over a decade were there. It was a time for renewing family bonds and setting aside old grievances.
While our group enjoyed all this camaraderie, another group far away had convened for a political rally. These rallies had been happening often lately, so I had almost come to take them for granted.
Distracted by the family gathering, I was surprised to see a text on my phone that said simply, “Praying for Trump.” “Why?” I wondered.
When I checked the news, I saw that someone had tried to kill the former president. The bullet bloodied him but did not seriously injure him. While his security detail attempted to shield him from another bullet, Trump rose up with his fist in the air angrily shouting, “Fight! Fight! Fight!”
What did he mean? Fight against what?
The would-be assassin was killed that day. So what is this fight, and what is the threat?
Political opponents in this country don’t normally try to kill each other. Political opponents fight with political weapons. They fight with words and policies. The fight Trump is talking about is much different.
Paul says:
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.” (Galatians 5: 19-21)
When political disagreement spills over into these areas, something more is at play than politics. All the things Paul mentions also fall under the heading of God’s definition of evil. Put another way, they are on the wrong side of God’s Law.
President Trump was not shaking his fist against specific persons as much as he was railing against evil.
In another letter, Paul writes:
“Our fight is not with people. It is against the leaders and the powers and the spirits of darkness in this world. It is against the demon world that works in the heavens.” (Ephesians 6:12, NLV)
I am convinced that Trump understands this, but even if he doesn’t, we should.
The powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil have enjoyed access to the levers of political power for far too long. Party affiliation is irrelevant. Evil is an equal-opportunity employer. Trump is standing against evil. He is calling on us to do the same.
Application: Learn to discern good and evil in all situations.
Food for Thought: What does Paul mean when he says, “[T]hose who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God”?
No one can serve two masters. We all must decide who or what will be Lord of our lives. Choosing Christ means turning away from the sinful desires of the flesh. Rejecting Christ means rejecting salvation through His sacrifice and resurection, and means dying in sin.
Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
Romans 6:15-18 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves,you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
“Rejecting Christ means rejecting salvation …”
Well said, Chris!
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.‘” (John 14:6)
Thank You CH!
What does Paul mean when he says, “[T]hose who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God”?
The teachings of Jesus center on the Kingdom of God, also called the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of Light, and have been
summarized as the everlasting realm where God is sovereign and
Jesus Christ rules forever.
Paul also teaches that followers of Jesus Christ enter into the Kingdom of God at salvation. “He [Jesus Christ] has delivered us from the domain of darkness and positioned believers in the kingdom of Gods beloved Son.”
Colossians 1:13
Jesus teaches believers must seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these shall be added unto you. As He closes His sermon on the mount.
Matthew 6:33
Jesus also teaches, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will
enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my
Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 7:21
Paul writes, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” It is not a physical existence, but a life in the spiritual realm.
Romans 14:17.
We are spiritual beings confined within physical bodies. We each must choose, do we exist to feed this temporary housing, or receive God’s strength for the eternal growth of our spirits, now.
Thank you, Ron!
I like the emphasis on our two natures: spiritual and physical. “God is spirit… ” (John 4:24) ” … and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
Yes Indeed!!
We are called to LIFE of righteousness through Jesus Christ now. Not offered a retirement program.