Who will not inherit the kingdom of God according to the Bible?

The concept of the "Kingdom of God" is central to Christian theology and is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. It represents God's sovereign rule and reign, both in the present and in the future. The question of who will not inherit the Kingdom of God is addressed explicitly in several passages in the New Testament, particularly in the writings of the Apostle Paul. Understanding these passages requires not only a careful reading of the texts but also an appreciation of the broader biblical narrative concerning sin, repentance, and redemption.

One of the most direct and frequently cited passages on this topic is found in Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Paul writes:

"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." (ESV)

Here, Paul provides a list of behaviors and lifestyles that are inconsistent with the values of the Kingdom of God. The term "unrighteous" serves as an umbrella term encompassing various forms of moral and ethical failures. This list includes sexual immorality, idolatry, theft, greed, drunkenness, reviling (verbal abuse), and swindling. Each of these behaviors signifies a departure from the holiness and righteousness that God calls His people to embody.

A similar list appears in Galatians 5:19-21, where Paul contrasts the "works of the flesh" with the "fruit of the Spirit":

"Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." (ESV)

Again, Paul enumerates behaviors that are antithetical to the life in the Spirit and the values of the Kingdom. These "works of the flesh" represent a life lived in opposition to God's will and purposes.

It is important to note that these passages are not merely lists of sins but are indicative of deeper heart issues. The behaviors listed are symptomatic of a life that is not surrendered to God. They reflect a rejection of God's authority and a refusal to align one's life with His will. The Kingdom of God is characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17), and those who persist in these behaviors are living in a manner that is fundamentally incompatible with the nature of the Kingdom.

However, it is equally important to understand these passages in the context of the broader biblical narrative of redemption. The Bible consistently teaches that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace. In the very next verse after the list of those who will not inherit the Kingdom of God in 1 Corinthians 6, Paul writes:

"And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Corinthians 6:11, ESV)

This verse is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of the gospel. The Corinthians themselves had once lived in these sinful patterns, but through faith in Jesus Christ, they had been cleansed, set apart, and declared righteous. This underscores the hope and possibility of change for anyone who turns to Christ in repentance and faith.

The teachings of Jesus also provide insight into who will not inherit the Kingdom of God. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus emphasizes the importance of doing the will of the Father:

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'" (Matthew 7:21-23, ESV)

Here, Jesus makes it clear that mere verbal profession or even religious activity is not sufficient for entrance into the Kingdom. What matters is a genuine relationship with Him, evidenced by obedience to God's will. Those who practice lawlessness, despite their outward religious actions, will not inherit the Kingdom.

The parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:31-46 further illustrates this point. In this parable, Jesus describes the final judgment, where the righteous (sheep) are separated from the unrighteous (goats). The criteria for this separation are acts of compassion and mercy—feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned. Those who fail to demonstrate such love and compassion are told:

"Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." (Matthew 25:41, ESV)

This parable highlights that inheriting the Kingdom of God is closely tied to living out the values of the Kingdom, particularly in how we treat others.

The Book of Revelation also speaks to the issue of who will not inherit the Kingdom. In Revelation 21:8, John writes:

"But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death." (ESV)

This passage echoes the lists found in Paul's letters, emphasizing that those who persist in these sinful behaviors without repentance will face eternal separation from God.

In summary, the Bible teaches that those who will not inherit the Kingdom of God are those who persist in unrighteousness and refuse to repent. This includes a wide range of behaviors that are contrary to God's will, such as sexual immorality, idolatry, theft, greed, and others. However, the Bible also offers hope and assurance that through faith in Jesus Christ, anyone can be washed, sanctified, and justified. The key is a genuine relationship with Christ, evidenced by a life of obedience and love. The Kingdom of God is not merely about avoiding certain behaviors but about embracing a new way of life that reflects the character and values of the King.