Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
If we are to imitate God, we must renounce some distorted forms of love, The world's comprehension of love is perverted. It is self-centred, as is demonstrated by each of the sin Paul mentioned here. For example, sexual immorality from which we get the word pornography embraces every form of sexual sin and is self-gratifying at its core. Considerthe husband who is unfaithful to his wife. He cannot possibly be doing what is in her best interest. What he is really doing is to satisfy his own desires and lusts; and that is not the example Jesus gave us to follow. A life of iove must renounce any impurity. Reading of magazines, watching television programmes or attending movies that promote sexually immoral ideas. Impure thought eventually lead to impure actions. If we want to be like our Heavenly father, we must avoid the very hint of such immorality in our lives.
Covetousness is another evil that children of God should renounce. The covetous man, according to Paul, is to be ranked with the sensual, and idolaters and with those who are entirely excluded from the kingdom of God. Sometimes it is not so easy to define what is covetousness, as it isto define impurity of life. It is common knowledge that the public conscience is seared, and the mind blinded to the low and degrading character of the sin. A covetous man is one who in the pursuit of gold and silver, neglects his soul, his intellect, and heart. One who in this insatiable pursuit do not regard justice, truth, love, faith and conscience. We are admonished not to be partakers of these evils so we can be free from God's wrath and have a part in His kingdom.
Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
Above text in a way show to us the path to eternal life. This is patiently continuing in doing well. What we can call sustainable or sustained Christianity. Primarily, the good any man can do is to accept the hand of fellowship with God and the grace for salvation; for “...all our righteousness are like a filthy rag before Him”. It is when we obtain the salvation in Christ though obedience to the gospel by baptism, that we are clothed in the righteousness of God. It is then our good work and well doing can be recognised. A good example of this is Cornelius (Acts 10: 1 5). His prayer and generous giving only came before God as a memorial. He needed the ultimate salvation for those good works to be acceptable.
Once saved, we now need to patiently continue in these good works, love, faith, peace, seeking the well-being of the kingdom etc. We need to see to the sustenance of our faith and salvation, for this will earn us glory, honour, and immortality. Brethren, let us not be weary in well doing, let us not say “for how long shall we continue to do these”? Neither should we despise the long suffering and patience of God. God waited kindly and patiently for us to be saved, we should also learn to patiently continue in our Christian works. God's will; Christian service, well doing etc. are activities which no Christian should retire from. “Be ye faithful till death and I will give you the crown of life. (Rev. 2: 10).
