What Kind of Lifestyle Should a Christian Strive For?









5 1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 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.[a] 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.

Paul continues to move toward a practical application of what it means to live a Christian life.  Ephesus was a commerical city filled with lots of temptation and immorality.  Paul knew these new Christians would be tempted to fall back into old patterns.  Paul says our life is a response to Jesus love for us as he gave his life as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  As such our lives should also be an offering back to God.
At the top of the list is sexual immorality, and other things related to it like improper or impure conversation, and coarse joking.  This would also include the language we use. Ie.  Obscenities and crude humor.  Of course none of us are perfect in this area and often fall, but it is a good reminder that just because we are saved by grace it does not mean we can act any way we want.  Our lifestyle is a reflection of the God we serve and the Jesus we purport to follow.  If our life is ruled by these type of things we don't reflect the God we praise, or the Savior who died for us.
Paul is so serious about us that he says, "No immoral person or idolater has any inheritance in the kingdom of heaven of Christ and God." Does this mean someone who indulges in these types of sins can't go to heaven? I believe Paul is saying that someone whose lifestyle is filled with these things doesn't show themselves to be a child of God.  Does this mean they aren't saved?  Only God knows.  But what about a Christian who engages in immorality?  Like any other sin we are called to repent of it and return to God.  We may struggle our whole life with particular types of sin, but we need to be careful our hearts don't become calloused and insenstive to the Holy Spirit's conviction of our sin.  
The bottom line is a believer is to move toward Christian maturity in the power of the Holy Spirit, our only hope for leading a holy life.  Our lives should increasingly grow more dependent on Christ and his grace, which leads to freedom to serve God and avoid immorality.  Though we will struggle with sin our whole lives and never become perfect until we go to heaven, we should still strive to lead our lives to try and please God and following Christ's example.  

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