“I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:21)

This warning from God’s word is greatly needed today, as so many people have come to take God’s grace for granted. They believe that they can just thoughtlessly continue in their sin, and that God’s grace will cover it. Scripture says they are sadly mistaken.

We must never forsake the scriptural belief that we are justified by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, and not by our works. We should be thankful that salvation comes to us as God’s gift. But we must also never neglect to take sin seriously. Those who have truly been touched by the grace of God will show the fruit of genuine salvation, in turning from sin, and pursuing holiness. They will not use God’s grace as an excuse to continue to practice sin.

Paul intends for his readers to take stock of our lives with the list of sins he gives in :19-21: “immorality, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensioins, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things wil not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Are you practicing these things? It is a serious matter; for the Bible makes it clear here that those who do “will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”