Abusing God’s Grace

Real love requires real action.

Many of today’s Christians have heard “Saved By Grace” sermons so many times that they incorrectly believe that absolutely nothing is required of them for salvation beyond believing that Jesus Christ is Lord.  Paul is often quoted:

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9

Rarely does someone stressing salvation through grace continue with the very next verse that Paul writes:

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10

Rather than muddy the waters by bringing the role of works into the sermon, they’d rather wrap things up neatly by quoting from Romans:

“This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” – Romans 3:22-23

Typical Christians walk away with the fatal idea that all they need to do is believe that Jesus really did die on the cross, and that he is really is God, and as long as they believe that, they can go on living their regular sinful life (since we “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”), and get a free pass into Heaven when they die.

But it’s just not true.  You can’t go on living a sinful life, following earthly desires and lusts, and expect to have a place in Heaven:

“You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?  Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.” – James 2:19-24

When you willfully repeat your sin over and over and expect God to forgive you, you are ABUSING GRACE.  Salvation is going to require a bit more of you than just believing that Jesus is Lord.  You are required to:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” – Mark 12:30

And this, my friend, is going to take more than just believing.  You’re going to have to feel it.  You’re going to have to pursue God – and work to do what is right.  It’s going to take some effort on your part.  But it will be the greatest pursuit of your life.

And it’s what this blog is all about.