My brother, my sister, it took me years to understand that the grace of God does not mean we can do whatever we want, as long as we confess our sins… there is a price to be able to enjoy it, for it’s not confession of sins that takes us to heaven or brings true transformation in us; it is sin repented: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (Acts 3:19).
God has enabled His children to be able to rise above lusts and sin. That is grace because those who have not yet been convicted of their sins, cannot repent of them, so they are still lost. Thus, God’s grace alone saves us and also empowers us to live our life with Jesus and like Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-10; Proverbs 3:5-7). The Bible also says, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age” (Titus 2:11–12). What should we then understand here? It is very easy for any of us to get caught up in a gospel that is a gospel of convenience and comfort, a gospel without the cross, and a gospel that permits you to think, say, or do anything you want. A gospel that denies the grace of God, and exalts self to a status of godhood, so that anything self chooses is considered right and acceptable. This is where the Bible warns us that: “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 16:25).
My friend, Do you see the cross? Do you see the blood of the Lamb? Do you see the Son of God dying for your sins? Do you see Him raising from the dead? Do you see Him coming to live in His children through the person of the Holy Spirit? Do you see the requirement to crucify your flesh from its affections and lusts? Do you see Jesus Christ as the only door and way to God the Father? Do you see clearly the dividing line between sin and righteousness? At times, we must stop and answer some questions to ourselves to be able to avoid being deceived by the spirit of this age because we cannot go anywhere, think anything we want, say anything we want, watch anything we want, listen to anything we want and still be Holy, There is a price to pay to enjoy God’s grace: the cross and obedience to God! Stay blessed in Jesus’ name.