It All Depends on Christ

Ephesians 5:5, 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.

Who of us can truly say, “This is not me”? If you do, you are a liar. One might say, “But I haven’t committed adultery, or premarital sex, or rape.” Or, “But I’m not a homosexual, a transgender, a pedophile, a prostitute.” If you do not fall under any of these, good for you! You are better than most, even me; but have you ever lusted after someone? That is, have you ever found someone sexually attractive, whether you or they were single or not? If yes, you are sexually immoral and, therefore, not any better than anyone else. If you say no, again, you are a liar.

We have all coveted. We are American consumerists, after all. To be American is to covet. Consider Black Friday. It is the National Day of Coveting when we fight over all the toys and gadgets we want, then complain about how “poor” we are for the next 365 days. We are all idolaters, then. If it depended on us, we could never enter God’s kingdom because of our rampant sexual immorality and idolatry.

Thanks be to God that it does not depend on us! Christ died for your sexual immorality and idolatry! His blood covers your guilt! Like the woman who should’ve been condemned for her sexual immorality and idolatry, Jesus forgives you and gives you the freedom to sin no more (John 8:1-11)! Let us shout our doxology, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow!” As far as it depends on us in our immorality and idolatry, entering God’s kingdom is impossible. As far as it depends on Christ in His perfect righteousness, entering God’s kingdom is entirely possible.