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Ephesians and Sexual Immorality – Ephesians 5
Ephesians and Sexual Immorality – Ephesians 5
In the fifth chapter of Ephesians Paul writes: "For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them…” (Eph. 5:5-7).
As believers, we live in the world but are not to be of the world (cp. John 15:19, 17:14-16). We are no longer to live the lifestyle that we once lived (Eph. 4:17-21). The problem facing us is that we DO live in the world and all the allurements and temptations of the world are still dangling in front of us tempting us to partake. In particular, is the temptation to sexual impurity that has plagued humanity from the beginning. Some have denied that Christians (or as they would phrase it, ‘true believers’) can fall into such sinful living. Others have argued that although a believer MIGHT fall back into such a sinful lifestyle, they are saved by ‘faith only’ and hence ‘once saved they are always saved’.
Yet the history of Christianity belies the first teaching, for there have been multitudes of believers who have yielded to such temptation. The warnings of such are repeated many times in the New Testament just because it was such a common temptation (cp. 1 Cor. 5:1; 6:9-20; 7:2; 10:8; 2Cor. 12:21; 1 Thess. 4:3-7; Gal. 5:19-21; Col. 3:3-7; Heb. 12:16; Heb. 13:4; 2 Pet. 2:10; Rev. 2:14, 17; 21:8; 22:15. NOTE such may not be an exhaustive list, but it is a frighteningly long one!) WHY is it brought up so many times? Simply because it was and is such a prevalent sin.
In fact, we all not only know those who have fallen into such sin, but we have all been faced with the same temptations. There, of course, is the offer of forgiveness even for those who have fallen into sexual immorality but it involves repentance, confession, and prayer (cp. Acts 8:22-23; 1John 1:8-9, etc.) For one to continue in such a lifestyle will result in experiencing the wrath of God. Hence Paul’s fear was that he would "have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced” (2Cor. 12:21).
As for the idea that such warnings do not apply to believers, it is pure sophistry and deceit. That is the very point that Paul makes - do NOT let anyone deceive you that anyone can do such and not face the consequence of the wrath of God. To say that Christians will NOT be condemned if they commit such is precisely the teaching that Paul says not to be deceived by. Why warn believers about such consequences if there are no such consequences for them?
Those that are sexually immoral (whether believers or unbelievers) will experience the wrath of God unless they repent. Flee immorality (1Cor. 6:18).
Hugh DeLong
