“Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
(Galatians 5:20-21)
Paul’s warning here in Galatians 5 solemnly declares that those who continue in such practices as he lists here shall not inherit the kingdom of God. And the deeper reality behind this warning is that evil fruit reveals an evil root, an unregenerate heart.
Though the gospel of Christ provides justification through the finished work of Christ, salvation by grace also necessitates a changed life. Christ not only delivers His people from the guilt of sin, He also renews them by His Spirit. And where the Spirit dwells, spiritual fruit follows. So where no evidence of spiritual fruit appears, the claim of faith cannot hold.
Scripture consistently joins justification, regeneration, and sanctification together. Those whom Christ redeems He also renews. Those whom He justifies He also sanctifies. So even though believers continue to struggle against sin, they cannot make peace with it as a settled way of life.[1]
The Heidelberg Catechism rightly concludes that those who continue living wicked and ungrateful lives cannot be saved. Not because good works earn salvation, but because the absence of spiritual fruit reveals the absence of spiritual life.
The true believer reads these warnings of Paul with humility. Every remaining corruption reminds him of his continuing need for grace, and every battle against sin reminds him that sanctification is an ongoing process in this life.
Scripture states plainly that God does not save His people because of their good works, but He saves them unto good works… a truth that calls us to examine our hearts. The Spirit who takes up residence in the believer produces new desires, new priorities, and a new-found hatred against sin. These are the fruits that evidence whether genuine conversion has occurred.
Contemplations:
- My Remaining Corruptions. When I read Paul’s list of the works of the flesh in Galatians 5, I am reminded that sin is not only an outward matter. I can easily notice obvious sins in others while overlooking pride, envy, irritation, selfish ambition, or bitterness within my own heart. This passage causes me to examine myself more carefully. I want to be honest before God concerning those sins that still remain within me.
- My Need for Continual Repentance. I sometimes assume that growth in the Christian life should make repentance less necessary. Yet experience teaches the opposite. The more clearly I see God’s holiness, the more aware I become of my remaining sinfulness. This reminds me how much I still need Christ’s mercy every day.
- My Gratitude for Regenerating Grace. Reflecting on this passage reminds me that salvation is more than forgiveness. God has not only pardoned His people; He has begun renewing them. Though the residual of sin remains, there is also evidence of His work. I am grateful that my ongoing sanctification is the fruit of divine grace rather than my efforts.
- My Desire for Greater Holiness. This warning stirs within me a desire to walk more carefully before God. I do not want to just avoid those more obvious sins while tolerating hidden sins of the heart. I want my conduct, thoughts, affections, and desires to increasingly conform to Christ.
Prayer (Confession):
Merciful and holy Father, I come before You confessing that much sin remains within me. Though You have shown me great mercy in Christ, I still find pride, selfishness, impatience, and unbelief arising within my heart. I grieve that my thoughts, desires, and actions so often fall short of Your holy standard.
Lord, I am too quick to notice the faults of others while excusing my own. I can be diligent in examining the conduct of others while neglecting to search the deeper motives of my own heart. Forgive me for this hypocrisy and grant me greater honesty before You.
I confess the sins that often remain hidden from human eyes but stand fully exposed before Yours. Forgive my pride when I seek my own glory. Forgive my envy when I resent the blessings of others. Forgive my impatience when providence does not unfold according to my desires. Forgive my coldness in prayer, my weakness in devotion, and my neglect of opportunities to honor You.
Father, I receive countless mercies from Your hand, I know the truth of the gospel, yet I do not always live with the joyful obedience that such grace deserves.
Lord Jesus, thank You that my hope rests not in my performance but in Your perfect righteousness. Thank You for bearing the guilt of sinners and providing a righteousness that never fails.
Holy Spirit, continue Your sanctifying work within me. Expose every sin. Strengthen every holy desire. Make me more watchful over my thoughts, more careful in my conduct, and more sincere in my devotion to Christ.
Let repentance and faith continue together in my life until the day when sin will be removed forever and I stand complete in Christ.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for Galatians 5:20-21:
1 Cor. 6:9; Eph. 5:5; Rom. 13:13; Rev. 22:15
[1] Zacharias Ursinus, The Commentary of Dr. Zacharias Ursinus on the Heidelberg Catechism (Cincinnati, OH: Elm Street Printing Company, 1888), 465-467.
