For of this you can be sure:
No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any
inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Ephesians 5:5
This verse definitely makes people
nervous when they read it. We question
our true salvation because we keep sinning as believers. Paul here is talking about those who choose
immorality, impurity and greed to define their lives. A saved person may be immoral, impure and
greedy but repent afterwards, upset that they keep sinning and desiring to live
a holy life.
The “idolatry” they serve is the
immoral life. A true believer hates
their flesh and battles with it constantly.
An immoral person does not.
A true believer receives the eternal
forgiveness of God through the shed blood of an eternal sacrifice—all past,
present and future sins are forgiven by Jesus Christ. So a believer knows he has forgiveness and
adjusts his life so there is less to forgive by living without sin.