I was impacted greatly by a Bible study a friend of mine did the other day. He reminded me of the need to rely on and not forget the grace of God. He pointed out that sometimes churches are guilty of emphasizing sin so much that grace is forgotten and true believers live defeated lives.
This delicate balance in the life of a Christian is so necessary. It is necessary for me. If I am truly forgiven, then I cannot live in a spirit of defeat. Shold I mourn my sin? Yes, but God has forgiven me. The balance is, that I not use grace as an occasion to sin. Those who abuse grace, have not truly recieved God’s grace, for if they had recieved God’s grace they would undersatnd it, and not abuse it.
We must not forget verses like these:
John 1:15-17 (NASB 95) John testified about Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’" For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. (emphasis mine)
Romans 5:2 (NASB 95) through whom also we have ??obtained our introduction by faith into this grace ??in which we stand; and ?we exult in hope of the glory of God. (emphasis mine)
Romans 6:1-2 (NASB 95) What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? ?May it never be! How shall we who ?died to sin still live in it?
Romans 8:1 (NASB 95) Therefore there is now no ??condemnation for those who are ??in ?Christ Jesus.
Again, my not receiving condemnation, my redemption, the grace of God in my life should lead me to want to obey, but when I disobey, I must not abuse the grace of God from the other end, believing somehow that God or I must do something else to accomplish forgiveness once again. The debt has been paid!
