Faith

Can I Go On Sinning Because Of Grace and Since All My Sins Have Been Forgiven?

So, I get really bewildered and at the same time unperturbed, when someone listens just to the introduction of my teaching of God’s abundant grace and the next immediate thing he asks is “Are you now trying to say I can just go ahead and do what I like because all is forgiven and the grace dey well well?”
I’m sure that’s exactly what happened with my ‘uncle Paul’ the Aapostle?

Rom 5:15, 17 [NET] – [15]But the gracious gift is not like the transgression. For if the many died through the transgression of the one man, how MUCH MORE did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one man Jesus Christ multiply to the many!
[17]For if, by the transgression of the one man, death reigned through the one, how much more will those who receive the ABUNDANCE of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ!

See how Paul emphasized the abundance and affluence of God’s grace in chapter 5 of Romans. And so, he anticipated such a question like I was asked by that brother:

Rom 6:1 [NET] – What shall we say then? Are we to remain in sin so that grace may increase?

That’s the typical question that is asked when the preaching of grace is declared, and Paul knew this and so he responded with all the fervor in his bones:

Rom 6:2 [NET] – Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

Such a bold declaration from Apostle Paul. Absolutely not! You literally died to sin when Christ died…in identity, we died with him. But not only that, we were raised with him to a new life.

Then I pointed out something in response to this brother. I asked “To what did Paul owe his success in ministry, that he could say he laboured more abundantly than all the others?”
And he confidently responded to me. “GRACE!” he said.
“CORRECT!” I said.

1Cor 15:10 [KJV]-  But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

So I reasoned with him gently: “So it means that with Apostle Paul, this grace empowered him greatly, giving him all the ability and power to effectively do the work of ministry, spread the Gospel, and live as a worthy example of the Gospel. But for you and me, this same grace will make us sin with such undue liberty???” And he was like “hmmm…I see your point”

Then I went further to show how that what he accuses the grace of God of doing – licentious sinning with reckless abandon – is the exact opposite of its purpose in us.

Titus 2:11-14 [NET] – [11] For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. [12] It trains us to REJECT godless ways and worldly desires and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, [13] as we wait for the happy fulfillment of our hope in the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. [14] He gave himself for us to set us free from every kind of lawlessness and to purify for himself a people who are truly his, who are eager to do good.

(Grace which is ‘Charis’ in Greek from which you get the English Charisma…is simply something that empowers and motivates one in an action…and in our case, righteousness)

It is just so clear. Grace teaches and empowers us to reject and shun godless and sinful ways; rather than being a proponent of it.

You don’t need grace as a license to sin. The Israelites of old who hadn’t received it surely were doing a good job of sinning without it. Rather Grace gives a license to live above sin. Grace is the only hope we have of being empowered by God both to will and do His good pleasure.

So when next you are asked this question that I was asked, take your time to explain with all the respect and gentleness you can muster. Or if you are one who wrestles with the idea of grace and it’s propaganda to initiate a more sinful lifestyle in the lives of believers, then you need to be open-minded and search deeply the scriptures (Like some mentioned above)…there you’ll find truth; there you’ll find conviction. God’s grace is abundant and it’s powerful in its working in us, causing us to be zealous for good works.

Grace and Peace!
~Kenneth.

About author

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Tolulope Oludapo is a young Christian who lends his voice through the media by sharing practical wisdom for everyday living in the most experiential and simplified fashion. This has fetched him the direct followership of over 30,000 users on his blog, lifegiva.com. A blog he founded. He loves to write on varying subjects that affect life, faith, relationship...everyday living.
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