Abusing Grace

Are you abusing the grace of God?

Now, before you answer the question, consider this. Do you willfully sin? Knowing something is wrong and foolishly thinking there will be no consequence for it because you're under God's grace is not what it was intended for. Grace is not a free pass to sin. If this is your mindset, then unfortunately, you have been abusing the grace of God.

GALATIANS 3:1

1 Oh foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

The so-called "grace" movement in the body of Christ has been one of Satan's biggest deceptions in the modern church. If you ever hear someone say, "We are under grace not the Law", or "Only God can judge me", as an excuse for sin, they are living in deception. These terms are a form of manipulation attempting to silence the Holy Spirit from keeping us accountable for our sins. As a result, many Christians are living and acting just like the world, completely unaware that they are abusing God's grace. All the while, they are deceived into thinking they can live corruptly and no matter what they do, God's abundance of grace is their free ticket to heaven. However, they could not be more wrong!

GALATIANS 6:7-8

7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he 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.

JAMES 4:17

17 If you know what is right to do but you do not do it, you sin.

THE COMPROMISING CHURCH

In the scriptures below, Paul strongly points out that compromising sin is unacceptable. He emphasizes this twice, in the passages of scripture where he says... "certainly not"

ROMANS 6:1-2

1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?

2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?

Romans 6:14

14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law but under grace.

Romans 6 has been twisted and distorted far from it's original intent. So many times, all you hear from many pulpits is, "for you are not under the law but under grace." While this is true, the first pat of this scripture is the key to freedom. "For sin shall not have dominion over you." The grace of God is in fact, the freedom NOT to sin! you have been given power over sin, but many are willfully choosing to continue living in sin. This is a very dangerous place to be in.

ROMANS 6:15-18

15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? CERTAINLY NOT!

16 Don’t you know that when you OFFER YOURSELVES to something as obedient SLAVES, you are SLAVES of that thing—whether you are slaves to SIN, which leads to DEATH, or to OBEDIENCE, which leads to RIGHTEOUSNESS?

17 But thanks be to God that, though you (used to be slaves to sin), you have come to obey from your HEART the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your ALLEGIANCE. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Take courage! God knows the thoughts and intent of your heart. He knows those who want to do right and those who do not. Conviction by the Holy Spirit grants us repentance, this is the goodness of God! That being said, do not deceive yourself into thinking that you can continue in willful sins. It is by His Grace you can be free to stop.

ROMANS 8:1

1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

The good news is, we do have grace made available to us when we fall into sin. There is also, no condemnation or guilt from the Father when we make mistakes. His grace is sufficient, and it's more than enough to cover all of our sins. He also doesn't bring grief or condemnation with his correction. That being said, we cannot continue in thinking we can do whatever we want, with no consequences.

REVELATIONS 2:16

14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.

15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

2 TIMOTHY 3:16

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, (for reproof, for correction), for (instruction in righteousness

This message is meant to encourage you, not condemn you! Once you understand that you are free not to sin because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, now that's liberating! We are all going to make mistakes. We are human, and sin is common to all man. However, when we mess up, because of the power in the name of Jesus, we can walk away from the sin that has held us captive!

Prayer

Father God, I choose to lay this my sin before you. I'm sick of it in my life. I repent and acknowledge it before you now. Take this burden from me, for You are my deliverer. Help me walk my freedom out, day by day by the power of your name. Strengthen me within by your Spirit. For Your word says I am an overcomer, I am more than a conquer, I am victorious.

You are where my help comes from.

In Jesus' mighty name,

Amen