Warnings in Scripture come in different forms. Here the apostle Paul had just instructed the Colossians to avoid various kinds of immorality. Now he gives the reason. Very clearly he does not hold over them the threat of judgment in hell. He is not teaching, as so many in Christendom do today, that believers can lose their salvation by falling under the wrath of God. We must parse this very carefully.

The wrath that is spoken of here is that fierce anger of God directed to the “sons of disobedience.” Is it possible for Christians to be disobedient? Absolutely! But is Paul saying that when believers like the Colossians disobey, then they are included in the description “sons of disobedience?” I think not. He says that they are now characterized as those who had at one time “walked” in that way. A clear distinction is being made between believers and unbelievers.

So what is the point that Paul is making then? Why warn them about something they would never experience? The answer is simple. Christians should not engage in behavior for which God brings eternal judgment on unbelievers! Why act in ways that God punishes unbelievers for? We know from many other Scriptures that believers are secure (see, for example, Romans 8:28-39, 1 Cor 3:10-15). The principle is still true, though: God is not mocked, what we reap we will sow (Gal 6:7). For the unbeliever it is grounds for eternal punishment. But, for believers, who are secure because of God’s promises, there can still be a certain fear of reprisal and a loss of joy. The hymn writer points out the joy of obeying the Lord: “Yes, I to the end shall endure, As sure as the earnest is given. More happy, but not more secure, The glorified spirits in heaven.” When a Christian gives in to temporal, fleshly “enjoyment,” his security is not affected, but his joy here on earth certainly is diminished. So we are left with the implication of Paul’s admonition: Why would a Christian even want to engage in activities for which the unsaved are eternally condemned?

Now, the list of fleshly activities continues with anger, wrath, malice, slander, abusive speech, and lying. All of these things are enumerated in other places, but now they are put on the same level as the previous list of immoralities (Col 3:5), in one respect. There is no distinguishing between “little” or venial sins from “big” or mortal sins. All incur God’s displeasure.