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. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 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.

Ephesians 5:3 –5

I would have thought, “Lower the standard of behavior so that more may feel comfortable in the Body of Christ.”  The truth is just the opposite, those who follow the Lamb of God live lives of purity and godliness, not like their former selves.  Immoral living has no place in the Body of Christ.

Listen!  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.  Is there a higher standard? No. We believers are held to the highest standard of moral and spiritual behavior.

Think about it. No sexual immorality.  No impurity of any kind. No greed for what others might have but not me.  No obscenities among us believers but absolute purity.  No foolish talk that benefits no one.  No coarse joking which hurts not only the teller but the hearers.  It lowers the standard of purity.  These belong to the former life, not to the new one in Christ Jesus.

Choose, instead, to turn the heart to thanksgiving and praise for God’s saving grace.

Paul is aware of the temptation to use freedom to elevate sin, not righteousness.

He proceeds to get even more insistent – No immoral, impure or greedy person – such a person is an idolater – has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.  Few things displease God more than immorality, impurity and greed.  We might hold to excellent principles of doctrine, but live immoral lives.  That is poison, to be sure.

Who would give up eternal inheritance for immediate gratification?  Unfortunately, the history of Gods people highlight this pull and tug of impurity.