The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Corinthians — Section 207

Vers. 9-11.-0ur inheritan~ in peril. I. WHAT OUR INHERITANCE 1s. "The kin!:!;dom of God:" present, but chiefly future. Of which Peter speaks (2 Pet. iii. 13), "Vi7e, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." Heaven, and the heavenly life, and the heavenly joys; the "rest that remaineth for the people of God;" the nightless, sinless, curseless, painless land; the "many mansions" of the Father's house; the eternal home, where we "shall see his face." This inheritance is in a certain sense the inheritance of all, since Christ died. for the sins of the world. The gospel invitation is addressed to all. We disinherit ourselves. II. Silis wmcH IJTh'DER us FROM INHERITING THE KINGDOM OF Goo. 1. Sins of sensuality. Brutal lusts; unholy indulgence. Amongst th,i ancients (and also amongst the moderns too) vices existed which must not be so much as named amongst the decent and pure. 2. Idolatry. If we serve false gods, how can we expect a reward from the true God? Some have keen eyes for injuries done to men; idolatry is a pre- eminent sin against God. .And we may be thorough idolaters whilst we are professec} Christians. What is that which occupies the throne of our heart and of our life? Is it an i:l.ol or is it God? 3. Theft, covetousness, extortion. These may be grouped together. 'l'hey do not seem so heinous as the foregoing, but they are associated with them-and through them, equally with the others, may the inheritance be lost. Such sin shows that our heart is not right either towards man or God. And the three are much upon a par. Yet many a man would be horrified at the thought of being a thief who is not at all ho1Tified at being undoubtedly covetous and extortionate. How names betray us! Why, what is covetousness but theft in the bud? And extortion is theft -unmiti,,ated theft-in the blossom! Many a man steals mentally, and is as guilty as if be stole actually; for nothing but the restrain ls of society and the dock keep his hands still. And he passes for an honest man ! Many a theft is committed in a cour~ of justice before the very eyes of judge and jury, and sometimes with the assistance 0£ a bewigged counsel; for example, when a man is striving to get more than his due. 4. Drunlcenness. 'l'his curse of our land-what men lose by it I Health, respect,. friends, position, home, wealth-and the kingdom of God. 5. Foul language. Revilin_g, railing, sins of the tongue. Foul lips which speak of a foul heart, for the sweet fountam sends not forth bitter waters. Sins such as these entail the forfeiture of the grea, inheritance. Plainly are we here taught that a nominal faith can never save us. All the profession in the world cannot carry us an inch towards the promised land. It i9 the old pagan notion that religion consists in outward observances and not in l1eart and life. err. vr. 1-20.J THE FITIST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIAXS. 20!)