"But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving. 5For of this you can be sure:
No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God." Ephesians 5:3-5.
The warning and exclusion of kingdom inheritance is addressed to saints, to believers. It makes no sense and is unscriptural to say the loss of inheritance here is addressed to unbelievers, because:
- Paul is addressing saints and admonishing saints; the consequences of not heeding the admonishments therefore are for saints. You donīt warn a group of people with impending consequences pertaining to another group of people.
- The admonishments correspond to having a proper walk, which is works, a way of proper living for believers. Unbelievers cannot perform these works as a way to qualify and receive the inheritance in the kingdom. They are unbelievers. They need to believe and be justified by faith.
- The consquences for unbelievers is the lake of fire, not the loss of inheritance in the kingdom.
- The loss of inheritance in the kingdom does not mean loss of eternal salvation. This salvation is secured by the judicial redemption of Christ which satisfied all of Godīs requirements for eternity. The loss of inheritance is exclusion from participation in the millenial kingdom on earth because of evil works; this is the kingdom the Lord prayed for, "let Your kingdom come, let Your will be done as in heaven so on earth."