we don’t pretend that Paul does not mean what he said when he lists all the violations of the commandments, and states that persons who do such things DO NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM.
That’s an important passage, Guanophore, which those of us who love St Paul surely wish to see again:
13": For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
“14”: For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
“15”: But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
“16”: This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
“17”: For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
“18”: But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
“19”:** Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
“20”: Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
“21”: Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, 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. **
Why, these even resemble the Ten Commandments!
Is St Paul saying that those who violate the Commandments shall not enter into eternal life?
“22”: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
“23”: Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
And here are the virtues we are to display.
This is very similar to the Catechism passages I posted earlier in this thread.
No wonder the Catholic Church is celebrating the Pauline Year, given how his teachings have informed our theology and practice.
Such as the Eucharist, another of Christ’s commandments which must be followed lest we have no life within us:
1 Corinthians 11:
23": For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
“24”: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
“25”: After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
“26”: For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.
“27”: Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
“28”: But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
“29”:** For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body**.
“30”: For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.