We hear so much from preachers about God’s grace that cause an imbalance in people’s lives. In emphasizing the gospel of grace in Christ Jesus, there is always a risk that people who do not fully grasp it will think you are preaching license. Yes, we should be grateful for the grace of God but not develop a lackadaisical attitude toward sin. One of the strongest answer in Greek is “God forbid”. That answer was given to the question, “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” God’s desire for his people is to live holy lives, i.e., set apart for God’s exclusive purpose. To do otherwise is to abuse God’s grace and take advantage of His goodness. Consider the following verses of scripture that addresses this problem. 1 Peter 2:16 reads, “Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.” Galatians 5:13 reads, “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
Jude explains in his day, “Certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Jude 1:4). Why is it so bad to not be turn God’s grace into lasciviousness? If my sin is paid for and grace covers it, why not sin? Why cannot we just try to be a “good person” and still curse. God’s grace has paid my debt in full. Usually, the people who are thinking like this and interpret God’s grace as a license to sin never see that they are sinners. They do not see the value of real repentance and conversion.
Real operative faith will work the works of God. Rather than looking at God’s grace requiring obedience, see it is the outcome of grace.