“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:1-4 NKJV
When we dedicate our lives to Christ, that is when we have just enrolled in the work of sanctification. We no longer live for selfish motive, but for Heavenly gain. Our desires are no longer set on pleasing the flesh, but pleasing God. Our heart cry is no longer to fulfill our lust and pride. Rather, it is to put our trust and hope in Jesus Christ.
We can tell if someone is truly a Christian based on whether they seek victory from sin or seek to justify their sin.
Those who choose to remain in the slop of their carnality will disregard any message on repentance, judgment and the wrath of God. They in their hearts will not be willing to get rid of their old-self. They would rather play religion than pray to God for help in the midst of their sin.
God will take us where you are, but He will not leave you where you are.
The hyper-grace preachers of our day will only focus on one side of God. They will preach all love, mercy and grace. There will be no call to turn away from sin. Their message begins and stops at “God accepts you just the way you are.” They completely disregard the notion that “God will take you where you are, but He will not leave you where you are.”
How can we expect to be truly saved if we deceive ourselves into thinking that we are covered by a grace that gives us a license to sin, rather than empowers us to conquer sin?
“I can do as I please. It doesn’t matter. God still loves me” is the deception that has taken place within the majority of modern day Christian churches and groups. Many preachers, especially the young celebrity preachers of our day, fear man more than they fear God. That is why they provide a false sense of security through a perverted grace. “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness” (Jude 1:4 KJV).
It is easier for a heathen to enter into the body of Christ than it is for the religious to accept the entire Truth of God's Word.
Multitudes are being led astray into counterfeit conversions. It is heartbreaking that this is such a widespread phenomena in the church! When someone enters into a church and buys into a pastor’s teaching without seeing what the Word of God has to say, ENTIRELY, it becomes extremely difficult to get them to believe in the full Truth of Scripture. For it is easier for a heathen to enter into the body of Christ than it is for the religious to accept the entire Truth of God's Word.
Where do our hearts lie when we do that which displeases the heart of God? Is there a desire to change? Is there a longing to be holy?
This is something that we all need to take extremely serious. What are we doing with God’s grace? Have we turned it into lasciviousness, in which we can do as we please without any conviction of sin? These are the questions we must ask ourselves if we are going to press on into the genuine Christian walk that seeks to please God.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, You are the God of Grace and Mercy. You desire that all would be saved and come to the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Lord, help us to not pervert Your grace. May we not use Your grace as a license to sin. Rather, may we use Your grace to help us have dominion over sin. We are not perfect, O God. We will fall and stumble on this progressive road with You. We thank You for Your long-suffering patience with sinners such as us. Sanctify us and make us clean. Burden our heart with conviction when we sin. Draw us to genuine repentance that we may be assured that the Holy Spirit truly lives within us. For if He resides within, we will be disciplined when we sin. For it is You, O Lord, Who chastises those whom You love. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Lance VanTine