If you have been a reader of this blog for any length of time, you understand my beliefs about the grace of God. While many people still look at the grace of God as it relates to the forgiveness of sin, we choose to see the power that is available to our lives. The grace of God is rooted in the love of God. Therefore, we can tap into His unrelenting, unconditional, and ever-increasing ability to live the abundant life of Christ.
Some preachers of the Word are timid in their approach to the grace of God. They live with a fear that if they preach grace in its fullness then people will move into a lifestyle of sin. The problem with this type of thinking is that we fail to recognize that grace gives us the freedom to show who we really are. If someone hears a message of grace and decide to move into adultery, they are only demonstrating what was already in their hearts. They mistakenly believe that because God accepts them that He also approves of their actions. There is absolutely no biblical support for this type of thinking. Therefore, we must REPENT (change our thinking) and move into the abundant life of Christ.
Paul made sure that the Church at Rome understood this: "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?" {Romans 6:1-2}. The fullness of the grace of God gives an impression that the follower of Christ can do whatever he purposes in his heart. However, Paul clearly states that we have died to sin. When you come to grips with the grace of God then you can live in Romans 6:14, "For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace." Yes...the grace of God brings forgiveness to our lives but it also provides for us the power to live the life of God.
I say all of this because I grow tired to believers who blame God for their bad choices. I have witnessed many people who claim to be followers of Christ step into adulterous relationships, walk in a lack of forgiveness and love, dissolve their marriages, or step away from the faith all together. The response to these types of decisions by some churches is to move into legalism. In other words, they set up a lot of rules and expect every member to follow closely what is acceptable/non-acceptable to the church leadership. What is forgotten is that legalism never produces holiness. If it could have - if the law could have worked - then Jesus wouldn't have given His life as a ransom for us. The problem with grace in the lives of some isn't due to a lack of rules but a lack of repentance. We have simply failed to change the way we think and therefore haven't stepped into the transformation that God longs to bring into our lives.
I have a word for you:
There is grace to restore your marriage.
There is grace to reconcile your relationships.
There is grace to step into the calling God has placed upon your life.
There is grace to enable you to raise your children.
There is grace to live the incredible, wonderful, and abundant life of Christ.
How do I step into this truth?
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." {Romans 12:2}
Don't allow what the world deems acceptable to be considered acceptable by God. Instead, allow the Word of God to shape the way you think. Allow Him to shape the way you think about yourself and the way you think about every situation of life. What God's Word teaches us about marriage, life, purity, etc. - this is truth. And when you and I walk in the truth we are set free. Rather than allow the system of this world dominate your thinking, allow the grace of God to empower to live in the truth of the Word. The Spirit of God is ready to help you take action. He will enable you to walk in truth. When you do this, then you honor the grace of God that has been given to you.
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