Some people think that, as a Christian, they can still live however they want. After all, aren’t we given God’s grace that covers our sins?
Well, let’s examine grace. What is it? Grace is God giving us what we could never earn on our own.
Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one can boast.”
Grace is God’s undeserved favor that forgives us, saves us, and transforms us.
The Holy Spirit tells us through the Apostle Paul that our salvation is not of our doing. It is the gift, the favor, of God. We can’t save ourselves through our works. It’s impossible. Trying to save ourselves is like polishing our chains. We haven’t set ourselves free; we’re still in bondage. All we’ve done is clean the outside a little. Only God can truly set us free.
Why can’t I keep on sinning then? After all, all I need to do is ask for forgiveness and God is just and merciful to forgive me. Right?
That’s the wrong attitude.
The Apostle Paul said in Romans 6:1-2: “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?”
Paul is saying that once we have been born again, we have died to our old sinful self. We have been bought with a price by Jesus. And we should live like it.
To want to keep on living in a sinful state is a dangerous way of thinking for several reasons.
First, I would have to question whether you’ve really been born again. If the Spirit of God has truly entered your life, you’ll want to live for Him. The farthest thing on your mind would be to stay in the sinful state you were in when Christ saved you. Jesus transforms you. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, He places a deep desire within you to study God’s Word, to pray sincerely, to seek the fellowship of other believers, and stay in the presence of God.
Second, it shows a high disregard for what Jesus has done for you. Jesus took all your sins on Him and died an agonizing death on a Roman cross to rescue you from the bondage of Satan. Does that not mean something to you? He loved you that much—to be humiliated, beaten, spit on, and ultimately tortured on a cross. Just to set you free. If you truly realize the extent of His love for you, you’ll want to thank Him every day (and all day) for this precious gift.
Third, it destroys your testimony. Jesus calls all believers to be salt and light in our present culture. We as Christians are to be a beacon of God’s truth to the unbelievers around us. Why? So we can reach them with the Gospel of salvation. God doesn’t want anyone to perish and He calls us to be ambassadors for Him. If we keep living a sinful life, how will unbelievers even know that we’re a Christian? Will they not question how Jesus can make a difference in their life if they see us living the same as an unbeliever? The Holy Spirit transforms our life and we should seek daily His guidance so that we do not sin against God, ruin our close walk with Him, and create a stumbling block for others.
You see, grace is not permission to sin—it’s freedom from sin.
The unbeliever is in his natural state and will live according to the way he sees fit. He doesn’t understand the ways of God.
A Christian, however, is to put Jesus in control of their life. To live for Him. To live in a way that pleases Him and brings others to Him for salvation.
Grace is not permission to sin—it’s power to live differently.
If this message has challenged you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. If you need prayer or would like to talk more about what I’ve discussed, reach out to me here at www.jesusfreaksministry.com.
Remember, Jesus loves you and He wants to give you a new life.