To Grace
To Grace
I have pretty much covered what I wish to say about Divine grace. We of today limit the definition of "grace" to "forgiveness" (although its usage in the New Testament includes more than "forgiveness").In any case, we use "grace" to indicate we no longer are required to follow the laws of moral behavior set forth in the Old Testament writings, and that are found in the conscience of all people, Christians and non-Christians alike.
We of today are using "grace" to mean a new way of being accepted by the Lord, different from godly behavior. And no wonder! We do not understand how to live in the new way of the Spirit. No one has told us how, perhaps, and so what else is there beside the Law of Moses and the grace of forgiveness?
I do not criticize the Christian teachers of the past. What I believe is happening is that the promised Latter Rain is falling, beginning with the opening of the Scriptures to us. We have been blind, perhaps, to what the Bible actually teaches.
The theology of Dispensationalism has not helped, by doing away with the essential moral teachings of the Old Testament.
I may be mistaken, but I think some are teaching that once we go to Heaven we still will be accepted by "grace," even though we still sin.
In short, we have been taught that as long as we are living in the world, and perhaps in Heaven also, we still will be bound with the forces of disobedience.
I think the Lord Jesus Christ has a better redemption for us than that! Do you agree with me?
It is easy to conclude, from Paul's arguments in the early chapters of the Book of Romans, that since God is saving us by grace it now is permissible to disobey God, Christ, and the Apostles of Christ. Perhaps this conclusion accounts for the following verse:
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? (Romans 6:1)
Do you get the feeling that the Apostle is indignant at this point? I certainly do!
Paul would say, "What is the matter with you that you should draw such a conclusion, when I have told you over and over that those who practice the sins of the flesh shall not inherit the Kingdom of God!"
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21–NIV)
Shall not inherit the Kingdom of God!
It may be noticed that when Paul was warning about sin, he did not employ the Ten Commandments as such. Rather He spoke of those behaviors which the consciences of most people would regard as against God's eternal moral law.
Do you think Paul would rebuke us today with our teaching of "free grace"?
God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? (Romans 6:2)
Now what does this mean? What does it have to do with the "new way of the Spirit"?
"Dead to sin." Does this mean physically dead? Obviously not.
Does it mean the forces of sin that control us have no life in them? Paul will deal with this in Chapter Eight.
Does it mean it does not matter if we sin? This would go against many statements made by Paul in His epistles.
Well then, what does it mean?
"That are dead to sin" means that since we have counted ourselves as dead with Christ on the cross, the Law of Moses, that by which sin is determined, does not have authority over us.
Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? (Romans 7:1)
Here we are again. We are counted righteous by faith, so there is no solution to the problem of the lawless motivations that control our behavior.
We are counting ourselves as dead with Christ on the cross so the Law of Moses has no authority over us. So there still is no solution to the problem of the sins that control our behavior.
This is where we are today in our Christian thinking, aren't we?
But notice that Paul is not content with our remaining in this state.
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. (Romans 6:11,12)
"Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body."
"Alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." Does this statement give us any insight into "the new way of the Spirit"?
So we are righteous by faith and not by keeping the Law of Moses. More than that, since we have died with Christ we are not under the authority of the Law of Moses.
Yet, we have been commanded to not let sin reign in our mortal body.
I have heard it said so many times, have you? that as long as we are alive in our mortal body during our lifetime on the earth we always will sin.
While I was in Bible school I was told that the world was waiting for someone who would do God's will perfectly. The idea was that doing God's will is so extraordinarily difficult that the greatest saints of history never have fully performed God's will.
What a lie Satan has persuaded God's people to believe!
It is impossible to overcome sin, it is maintained, even though the Book of Revelation teaches us that the rewards we usually associate with the Christian life are reserved for the overcomers. Even so, "it is impossible for us to overcome sin" is declared loudly and sometimes belligerently.
If this is not confusion, I do not know what is.
Let me drive a lance through the heart of this satanic lie right now.
First of all, we can overcome every sin by following Christ carefully. When the Spirit of God points out to us a sin we are committing, we are to confess it clearly and denounce it with all the determination we can muster. If there is any indecision or compromise at this point, Satan will continue to reside comfortably in us.
There is no sin Christ cannot remove from us. By "sin" I am not referring to the guilt of sin but to the forces of disobedience themselves. Actually, sin is an unclean spirit dwelling in our flesh. If it is not dealt with severely now, being a spirit it may follow us into the spirit world when we die.
As to doing God's perfect will, multitudes of people throughout the history of the world have done God's perfect will for themselves, I believe, although many of them may not have realized it.
What is so difficult about doing God's will? Will you tell me that?
Enough of this foolishness. Right this minute look up to God and pray, "Father, help me to do Your perfect will this moment. In Jesus' name, amen."
Ask God if there is something you should be doing that you are not doing. Also, is there something you are doing you should not be doing.
If He says yes to one or both of these two questions, ask God what it is that is not pleasing Him and would He please help you to behave accordingly.
What a mess! Enough of this lie!
Walking joyously with the Father and Son with a clear conscience is the only acceptable behavior of the Christian life, and is our inheritance. Anything less than this must be corrected if the believer is to be able to look confidently and joyously to the prospect of dying and going to be with the Lord Jesus in Heaven.