The Answer to Grace Abuse

About this sermon

Introduction: This morning we looked at the question that faces us in this 6th chapter. Does the gospel of grace lead to sinful living? Is there any possible way that a right understanding of the gospel could lead someone to take sin lightly, or to actually think that their sinning in some way magnifies the grace of God? *We looked at reasons why this is a consistent objection. People don’t see their need for grace People don’t understand what grace accomplishes People have seen grace abused and corrupted So, after voicing the question, he is now ready to answer it. THE QUESTION (vs.1) THE ANSWER (vs.2) THE SHORT ANSWER – IT IS UNTHINKABLE He begins with the short answer. “God forbid”. “Perish the thought”. “By no means”. “May it never be”. We all should understand this response very well. Have you ever heard something asked that was so contrary to the Spirit of Christ and the Spirit of truth that you almost couldn’t stand to take the time to explain the reason why it was wrong? Something asked very honestly but the very question was offensive? Have you ever heard something asked that was so clearly and self evidently wrong, that you were shocked and saddened that it was even asked? When someone suggests that the truth about God’s grace is a reason for sin, an excuse for sin or an encouragement to sin, THOSE WHO REALLY KNOW THE GRACE OF GOD ARE REPULSED BY THE THOUGHT. It is an immediate, and at the deepest level, recoil reaction. WHY? Because anyone who has known the grace of God in salvation knows that there is nothing more OPPOSITE of the spirit of grace than the desire for sin to increase. This is a good test of whether or not you have experienced God’s grace in salvation. IS SIN SOMETHING THAT YOU HATE? Is it something that you hate above all IN YOURSELF? Do you desire to be free from sin, or do you desire to live in sin? Anyone who desires to live in sin as a pattern is someone who has never known God’s grace unto salvation. ESV Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Now when he talks about the grace of God appearing, it is obvious that he doesn’t mean that God’s grace had no witness prior to the coming of Christ, but that it finds its fullest expression, the crescendo of grace, in the person of Jesus Christ. All of God’s grace, which brings salvation, is found in Jesus, and when Jesus came into the world, that grace was made manifest. And those who know the salvation that this grace brings know the training of this grace. We are taught to renounce ungodliness, and worldly passions, and to live upright lives in this present world. But it isn’t a life FOCUSED ON THE NOW. The life that refuses sin in the now is a life FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE, as we wait for the appearing of our great God and Savior who gave Himself for this very purpose, to make us a godly people. THE DETAILED ANSWER – IT IS IMPOSSIBLE

Topics

• Grace