Does Ephesians clarify things any?

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul makes it clear exactly who he is writing to …

Ephesians 1:1
“Paul … to the saints who are in Ephesus, and (who are) faithful in Christ Jesus …”

We can consider “saints” to be born-again Christians.
But, are all born-again Christians “faithful”, i.e. trying their best not to sin,
repenting of their sins, co-operating with God in being sanctified, etc.?
I say “No!”
IMO, those who are actually “faithful in Christ Jesus” are in a special category!

Paul is ONLY addressing the saints who are faithful, saying they have been:
chosen before the foundation of the world (1:4), predestined to adoption as sons (1:5),
redeemed through Jesus’ blood (1:7), forgiven their sins (1:7), given an inheritance (1:11),
predestined according to the purpose of God (1:11), etc.

In chapter 4, Paul instructs the faithful saints to put off their old man of sin,
and put on their new man of righteousness with all that entails.

Paul gives examples of sins which will shut the faithful saints out of the kingdom of God:
Ephesians 5:
3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you,
as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting,
but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man,
who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you
with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

And this just happens to agree with other such warnings to the churches:

Galatians 5:
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you
in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 6:
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit
will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
1 Corinthians 6:
9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived.
Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,
10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
Revelation 2—3
Jesus warns all 7 churches that they must be overcomers.
Revelation 21:
7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.
8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters,
and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Revelation 22:
14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life,
and may enter through the gates into the city.
15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters,
and whoever loves and practices a lie.

So, we see that even the “faithful” saints need to co-operate with the Holy Spirit in being
sanctified unto holiness in order for them to actually inherit the promises and be saved.
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Sorry, I cannot agree ...
I see it as all wishful thinking, encouraging, edifying, etc., and Paul did a whole lot of that. Jesus did not.

Just because Jerry was created for good works ... does not mean he will do much.

Just because Jerry was ordained to walk uprightly ... does not mean he will walk very far.

Just because God is working in Jerry ... does not mean he will co-operate very much with being sanctified unto holiness.

Jerry had better work out his own salvation with fear and trembling, 'cause it ain't guaranteed that he will be saved.

Paul was very concerned for himself and others that he might not finish the race and be disqualified.
Now, if you choose to believe he was talkin' 'bout rewards, I will understand.

Have you forgotten about da church in Laodocia?
Jesus said they were sorely deceived about their spiritual condition ... they were lost and going to thou knows where.

Yeah, spiritual revelation is required to understand spiritual truth. Where have I heard that before?

Yeah, all of the MANY NT WARNINGS are only for the unsaved in the pews and walkin' the streets. Yeah right.
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Absolutely, the Christian must co-operate with the sanctification process.
I don't consider this works salvation ... is a sheep working when he is following his shepherd?

I don't believe God can force a believer to become pure and holy, which Jesus insists on.
He gave man free will to choose what he's a-gonna do.

Fess up ... what're all the hundreds of NT warnings to da churches all about?
Oh yes ... Be thou good little boys and girls, but don't worry, y'all goin' to Heaven!
Chill out, man ... enjoy yer easy feel-good gospel.
Those ain't da warnings I'm reading.
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