No liars in heaven
With our new identity securely grounded in our union with Christ, we can begin to understand why the Bible draws big fat lines between who we are and who we used to be:
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Cor 6:9–10)
This sounds like God hates slanderers and swindlers. He doesn’t. He loves slanderers and swindlers! When Jesus walked the earth, he spent time with slanderers and swindlers. Jesus even chose a thief to be one of his disciples (John 12:4–6).
However, slanderers and swindlers will not inherit the kingdom of God. Indeed, they cannot. Why not? Because slanderers and swindlers who come to Jesus don’t remain slanderers and swindlers. They become new. And a good thing that is too, otherwise the kingdom of heaven would be empty.
But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death. (Rev 21:8)
God has high standards—no liars admitted. And indeed, there are no liars in the kingdom, only former liars who have been made new. Neither are there any fornicators in the kingdom, only former fornicators who have been made new. (Do you see it yet?)
This is why the good news is good. The good news is the happy announcement that God is in the business of turning old, damaged people into new, holy people. He turns slanderers and swindlers into saints and sons.
If this is too much to swallow, take a detour to the Bible’s Hall of Fame in Hebrews 11. Here you will find a list of Old Testament men and women who were all commended for their faith.
Who are these heroes, these figures of renown?
Well there’s Noah (a drunk), Abraham (slept with the maid), and Jacob (a swindler if ever there was one). There is also a murderer (Moses), a prostitute (Rahab), and a double-dealing king (David).
David, as you know, got another man’s wife pregnant and then had that man killed to cover up his crime. So what does that make David? In the eyes of the law he is condemned as an adulterer and a murderer. Such a man will not inherit the kingdom of God; the Bible says so.
And yet I am certain we will meet David in eternity. How do I know? Because David trusted in the One who makes all things new. In God’s eyes, David is not a sinner but a son and a co-heir with Christ.
So am I. So are you.
.Extracted from The Gospel in Ten Words.
___________
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Escape to Reality 
Thank u Paul. God qualifies the unqualified through Christ Jesus.
Paul Ellis, you are a false teacher! You are teaching lies and are leading souls to hell. You will answer to God one day! God warned us of men like you in the last days!
I preach that people might repent and believe the good news that Jesus is the Son of God, risen from the dead, the justifier of the unrighteous, the savior of sinners, whose grace makes dead men live. In the post above I say God has such holy standards that he will not admit even liars into his kingdom. For which of these claims do you condemn me?
Hi Paul
Looking at the context and flow of thought in this passage your view makes a lot of sense. v 11 says it so wonderfully that the Christians were like that (immoral, greedy etc) but are no longer that in God’s eyes (even though they seem to have continued in some of the old ways after getting saved – v7 says they continued to cheat each other). So even if Christians continue in their old ways they are no longer labelled by their deeds but by their salvation. Very powerful and very scandalous to those that prefer to label people by what they do. The great challenge is living out (by God’s grace) who we really are once we have come to Jesus and been renewed (born again). Once people embrace their new natures they will live out who they are. ..
Fascinating stuff and far away from the whip motivation of the law.
God’s grace to us all so we can live in this truth.
Keep up the good work.
Good stuff. One of the pastors at my church frequently says the most important thing for growing in our relationship with God is understanding our identity in Christ. Only then can our hearts chnage for the better.
Excellent piece Paul. I’ve saved it to my Evernote so that I can refer to it from all devices. I teach new Christians and will draw on it. Thanks for sharing.
Genesis 16:3 Hagar was the wife of Abram.
Also the hebrew adultery is the word naaph and means woman that breaketh wedlock. (sexual intercourse between a married woman and a man other than her husband.)
AMEN!!! Preach it brudder!
Great post about our new reality in Christ. Amen brother Paul.
Blessings!!!
Warren (South Carolina, USA)
Excellent explanation. I’ve pondered this before and come to a similar conclusion. He was referring to people there in Corinth and their particular habits — habits that would be forgiven by the blood of Jesus if they accepted him.
so I am!
Am a co-heir!!
Hi Paul. After reading this post and your comment about ” God takes damaged people and makes them holy people”, are you talking about positional change or a change in behavior? What happens to those who confess Jesus and believe he died for their sins but REFUSE to change their behavior? Unless you live under a rock, I’m sure you’ve heard that the US Supreme Court made gay marriage legal in all 50 states. Many of these homosexual people claim to love Jesus and sadly they’re even thanking Him that this law was passed. If they are really saved, are they covered by grace or are they deceived and on their way to hell for their lifestyle that they refuse to repent of? This is a huge topic of discussion in our country right now. I’d really appreciate your thoughts on this. Thanks for your site and the message of grace you preach. Yesterday I purchased 6 of your books on amazon. Can’t wait till they arrive!
Hi grandma, I think those who are truly seeking Jesus WILL find Him and will allow Him to change them from the inside.
Yes Nizam I agree. When I fell in love with Jesus my heart changed. I no longer wanted to sin against him and it grieves me when I do. I’m not perfect but there has been “inner change” that keeps me headed in the right direction. I just have a hard time understanding how people can celebrate sinning against God and think its OK.
I’ve been wondering seeing the same thing as “grandma.” Also, how should Christians respond to the new law? Most Christians I know are pulling out their Bibles and whipping people with them on Facebook. And acting like God is on “our” side, not “theirs.” I’m cringing. Wondering what a grace-filled, true Gospel response should look like.
Love is the correct response Amber.
We are to work out our own salvation, and show or express the love God has for for them through yielding to Holy Spirit who lives in us. God loves them just as much as you or I, or all the “sin police” posting on FB. They need to experience His love and when they do they will work out their own salvation also.
Blessings,
Warren (South Carolina)
If we are made new in Christ by the cross, then who is Rev 21:8 speaking of?
Those who aren’t listed in Rev 21:7.
Check out 1 John 4:4-5 to see how to be an overcomer.
Hi Paul.
Those who believe in Jesus become able to see that their old man was a distortion of who God made them.
Knowing that they are enabled to act like the person God created them as.
Blessings.
Great post!! paul very heartwarming and really shows you how much god loves us all 🙂
It’s sounds contradictory to me. All thorough out Ezekiel we are told the sinner must repent , not his mother, not his brother and most certainly not the Judaic messiah.
Ez 18:4
The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.
See also Ezekiel 33:14-16 ,,
Ezekiel 21:23
Other verses: Duet 24:16
Parents are not to be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their parents; each will die for their own sin.
King David was righteous because he repented and then Kept the Law – Nothing to do with The Judaic Messiah . .. This post sound like false doctrine to me – I can accept .
All this was Restored and Repaired as described Jer 31:31-34 – This post can’t be correct, You can’t get righteous by the Killing of the Messiah , that is poppycock
Where in the post does it suggest you shouldn’t repent?
Yes, I ask the same question. Where does it mention repenting and who said you should not repent (change your mind to sin in your life)?
Then that leaves as your only option to obtain righteousness on your own. It is a lost cause. Read Romans 4 and ask God for understanding. The gospel is good news, it really does sound too good to be true…. But it is.
Thanks for the great post Paul. I have followed your blog for a long time now. Yet, I reference it all the time and always want to jump for Joy. Christ is good! All who believe in Him have overcome the world (1 John 5:4)! Thanks for your post Brother.
Great post Paul.
Those who put their trust in Jesus have His Righteousness! Humanity? Unregenerate
mankind is not righteous by any stretch – not even if they try.
as always – I agree with and appreciate your writing!
I do understand the grace of God and the fact that our sins are not being counted against us, and I do believe Jesus blood covers all sin but the flip side of that is we can’t deliberately use grace as a license to sin and that seems to be the case in our country now. I guess my question should be is there a point where a believer can become reprobate? The church I attend thinks so. I’m not sure how I’d explain all this to my grandchildren if they ask.
The word reprobate means different things to different people. To some it means destined for eternal damnation. Can a Christian become this kind of reprobate? Only if God breaks his promises. To others a reprobate means a person who renounces their faith, either in word or deed. If you’ve been in the church a while you’ll probably know someone who has done this.
If your question is, at what point does a child of God become unchilded, or a born again saint becomes unborn, then my answer is never. And for those who wonder, “What about this scripture?” I direct the interested reader to my page on Eternal Security, which deals with many such scriptures.
Hi Paul, thanks for your response. On the subject you mentioned about renouncing ones faith, I know of 2 people who were saved when they were younger but now they have fallen into deception. Both of them now proclaim that “you don’t need to believe in Jesus to get to heaven, there are many ways to God” If anyone tries to talk to them about it, they want to argue. Is this renouncing their faith and if so, are they still sealed and secure if it was done out of ignorance?
Grandma, i agree with Pauls response to you,and i also believe that you are exactly right…there is a prevalent abuse and distortion of grace that SHOULD trouble us.The heroes of the faith such as Abraham and David certainly made mistakes,but their lives were not a daily practice of sin,a lifestyle of participation in activity that was displeasing to God that they celebrated and perpetuated.Christian homosexuals..or so called,at best are exhibiting a complete disreguard and ignorance of Gods Word. As with any sin,the christian can have victory by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit who is here to help us. Sexual sins are extremely strong and can be difficult to break and we need wisdom ,compassion, and grace to help those who are struggling.They are not the enemy,but victims of the enemy. Some may view what i just wrote as Bible whipping,but I feel it is just speaking the truth in love. Homosexual christians to me is an oxymoron,like dry water,though i certainly believe any christian could struggle with homosexuality. If we speak against fellow believers promoting and accepting things that God has nothing good to say about(and we should do so lovingly)..we are doing right,having the same spirit as the prophets.Very few of them won popularity contests.
Amen to Daryl’s reply.
I would add that, ONLY God knows a persons heart. He is after our hearts. Jesus told us…..”Don’t judge.” Matt. 7:1.
Blessings,
Warren (South Carolina)
Iv struggled with people that say are comited Christians and they openly live in Homosexual Relationships. Iv herd of pastors that preach Grace and there very open that they are in a gay marriage. Love the Sinner but hate the sin.
I think we need to understand that in our local churches and fellowships and all throughout our lives, we will know people who are professing to be believers but aren’t. I see this more and more as I read the NT, too. If someone has been born again by the Spirit of God, they will hate any besetting sin that goes against the nature of Christ in them . The struggle will feel real and painful. Having said that, we can’t make final judgments on whether someone is truly saved or not, that is God’s job. We need to consider David and Peter and our own selves. Someone may walk away from God for a period in their lives but if they are truly the Lord’s, He will bring them back.
I think of Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 13:5 where he tells them to examine themselves. The examination was to see if they were in the faith – if Christ was in them. In light of the previous verses in 12:21 which talk about some of the Corinthians who were engaging in immorality and indulging in the flesh, Paul is trying to get those professing believers to make sure they have really been born again, really have the Spirit of God in them. Paul was always reminding the believers that sin wasn’t consistent with who they were in Christ now.
This is a tough question. For me, the key to this is realizing that Jesus didn’t die solely for us to get to heaven. In John 10:10, Jesus talked about having eternal life to the full.
With this in mind, although we get heaven later, walking with God allows us to thrive and get a preview on what “heaven” looks like. Sin prevents us from living an abundant life.
I believe that a believer can never be “reprobate” [John 10:28]. I also believe that there are godly people who have fallen by the wayside (examples include Solomon and Peter). However, keep in mind, technically only God knows the difference between one who believes but later falls by the wayside and the one who never believes in the first place. I won’t be surprised if the so-called “Christian” who loves to swim in sin didn’t make it to heaven — I’m just saying that it is impossible for a believer to lose salvation.
Amen! Preach it Paul! Jesus is our righteousness forever!
Paul, is there a reason why you practically never allow me to post anything in response to your blogs? I agree with you on the Grace message, but even if I didn’t, surely making a comment or asking a question doesn’t deserve censorship in your opinion, or does it?
I often publish comments from people who disagree, but I routinely delete comments that violate E2R’s comment policy. Long comments (>250 words), comments with links, comments off topic, comments pushing other agendas (eg: universalism), etc. often don’t make the cut.
I know there may be some reading this who say my policy hinders discussion. It doesn’t – it just hinders the sort of discussion they prefer. I encourage such folk to take their discussion to E2R’s Facebook page. The same posts that appear here are linked there and Facebook forums (fora?) are not moderated. On FB you can say pretty much whatever you like. But E2R is my house so my rules. Thanks.
Great response, Paul!
Yes! I am so glad you have these rules Paul. God Bless you!
Awesome. A thousand claps for you Paul. 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
The law would call Abraham a liar (or at least we would) not to mention sleeping with the maid, and his half sister, among other things but God credits him with righteousness. That’s crazy good news.
Thank you Paul i got a hold of your book grace party volume 3 and iam devouring it. I keep re reading it because it holds the truth about everything. Im slowly renewing my mind about that insident. i told you . I will get destined to reign devotional like you recommended. Im also listening to Andrew farley teachings on full security and once in christ i can never lose it cause christ lives to intercede for me. Im nolonger a sinner i can separate those deeds and embrace the new creation . That i am. sometimes we get so tied up in what people say to us instead of looking to the bible and letting God help us to embrace the full Gospel . No sin can send a believer to hell, Jesus blood is greater than any sin on earth. . No such thing as losing salvation. You are in christ .. God help us to embrace this. I definitely am renewing my mind with this.
Iam all for grace and i oppose religion . Religion kills.
Amen, Brother Paul, 1Cor 6:11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. Hallelujah!
I asked the question about believers who continue in sin because I’ve heard pastors say “if a believer continues living in sin, then they really weren’t saved to start with.” If “Do not judge” in Matt 7:1 means we cannot judge the actions of others, then Jesus would be contradicting Himself, because He teaches us how to identify the false prophets when He says “you will know them by their fruits”. Also Jesus says “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgement.” (John 7:24) In Matt. 7:1-5, Jesus is talking about hypocritical judging. You can’t remove the speck from your brothers eye when you have a plank in your own eye. You can’t judge another’s actions if you are guilty of the same thing. Jesus rebuked people for not judging what is right (Luke 12:56-57) and Apostle Paul shamed them for not being able to judge between their brethren.
(1 Cor.6:5) Apostle Paul judged sexual immorality in the church: “For I indeed, as absent in the body but present in the spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has done this deed.” (1Cor.5:3) Apostle Paul continually judged peoples actions and then corrected them with love. If judging is not allowed, then Apostle Paul would be in deep trouble. Not to mention we wouldn’t have a criminal justice system in our society. Think about it.
Well said! Grandma
I perceive that many times we get carried away by religion, we assume that someone is a Christian because he bears a christian name, attend church services, born in to a christian family or even nation. Jesus explained to Nichodemus in Jn.3 that “you must be born again”, it is a personal thing. Jesus also said not all that call me lord lord will enter my fathers kingdom, but they that do my father’s will, what is the Father’s will? Jn.6:28-29 says the work the Father want all of us to do is to believe on Him who He sent (Jesus).
We should not waste our precious time arguing about a Christian being gay or not. Let us continue to pray for them and love them, when they have the revelation of the love of God and what Jesus has done for them they will be totally yielded to Him. Shallom.
I want to quickly add a word to the response to grandma’s comment about two people who left the faith and preached another doctrine. The parable of Jesus about the prodigal son came to mind, before he left the father’s house he was his son, after he left for several years he was still the father’s son. The point am trying to make is that a son will always remain a son no matter how far away he went, the love of the father will draw him back home. So we should pray for erring brethren that God should in mercy draw them back home. God bless you bro. Paul for this great post. Shallom.
This is a verse the evil one constantly used to harass me. I am praying so much that I would know God more and know the love and kingdom and righteousness of Jesus! I just don’t understand why in this passage and others that have been mentioned in the comments, why certain sins/habits/wrong doings are mentioned, but not others? Why is this?
Not only was David a murderer – he committed pre-meditated murder.
But what if a believer continued living in sin. What if he did not repent after he received his salvation. Will he still go to heaven???
Thank you!
Hi Alfred- Here are two articles from this site than should be able to answer your questions.
I know gay Christians, oxymoron or not. ( although dry water would have been a cool screen name for this post ) They would be mortified by the harsh religious words of some of these post, words of people whom have no idea about what it feels like to be a gay person who loves God. This is not a willful choice to sin or take advantage of grace. They are only the victim to the religious community. They don’t wish to offend any one, they are scared and full of doubt about their salvation because of their “loving” Christian brothers and sisters. Maybe they are deceived, but they don’t trust themselves, they are trusting in God and the blood that washed them clean. How does it feel like to be in a loving relationship with a same sex person for 20 + years feeling all the same stuff that heterosexual people do for each other only to be condemned by their own families and the very people they should feel safe with. When will we realize we are not gay or straight, we are the children of God and the body of Christ. Religion can’t swallow that, but who can drink dry water, wright?
Seems like you missed the moisture of the post and instead only saw dust in a cup. Jesus leaves no sinner unchanged. Does this imply that every sinner suddenly ceases all their sins in order to be considered changed? Does it mean they will always and instantly cease the “hot topic” sins mentioned?
The is the dust of religion says yes. The life giving water of Jesus says “No!”. You are changed by gifting and then Jesus works on your busted self, we are all busted whether pretty sinners or hot topic ones. He works on you for your entire life and then He still counts you washed, cleaned and acceptable because he counts the blood not the behaviors. So why list sin behaviors? To make the point that dusty religion misses. A Jesus washing is a total washing not just an outside-the-cup tidying up. However ouchy it is I trust the written word. If God calls xyz sin then it is even if it feels like normal, ordinary, birth given instinct. He changes more than the spiritual parts we cannot see. He recues the flesh as well but not with a sledgehammer. He leads His sheep down the path they should go.
momzilla76, thank you for your reply. Just to clarify I love the post, it’s right on (thank you Paul), I was simply referring to some of the replies people wrote. You are absolutely right He loves us enough to change us daily, I would not like to be the person I was 5-10 years ago, praise God His grace is sufficient. Only He sees the heart and only He can change us, the word of God does that and I trust it, so I don’t try to change people around me, I just try to love them and tell them about this wonderful freedom I have found in Christ Jesus the best way I can. No good can come out by simply pointing the finger. Sorry if I came across defencive I just see the pain, hurt and damage it causes when we do it. If we start beating people on the head with our Bible they might not want to partake in the law’s does and don’ts. First show them the freedom, that Jesus died for and let God take care of the part that only He can. Inquisition never works, love does. Thank you for your kind words. May God lead us into all truths.
In other words, I’m such a mess but He is much more of a Savior! Thank You Jesus! (Rom.5:20)
Those who are judging others harshly,are putting them in a box,(saying they will never change,plus to put your nose up someone’s but,(you’d have to take your own eyes off Christ.
Hiya Paul, it’s me again. When you were stating that drunkards, slanderers & other sinners become saints, were you saying they were no longer sinners positionally in the eyes of God? Or were you saying they stopped what they were doing?
I do not like the word “positionally.” One with the Lord, you need to see yourself as righteous and holy as he is. Right living follows from right believing, so “awake to righteousness and sin not” (1 Cor. 15:34). Be who you truly are.
I am a born again Christian who has agoraphobia. I haven’t left my home since 2010. I also have vertigo so I get dizzy and unbalanced and it scares me to go out. But the agoraphobia keeps me inside anyway. So, does the “Cowardly” the “fearful” mean me? I listened to Andrew Womack and it sounds like he saying the fearful Christian will go to hell in the verse Revelation 21:8. It’s very confusing and now I’m worrying about this.
Hi Dee. Fear not. The word for cowardly, which is translated as fearful in some Bibles and fearmongers in others, essentially means faithless. It is not describing children who are afraid of the dark or those who are afflicted with mental health issues. Nor is it talking about first-century Christians who may have wilted under the pressure of torture. It’s talking about those who prefer and promote unbelief in Jesus.