Taking advantage of God's mercy

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Mar 4, 2013
7,761
107
0
#1
"It's OK, I'm Forgiven!"

Q. My friend is saved, but he doesn't act like it. He lives a life full of sin. He even admits it, but says, "It's OK, Christ forgives me!" It seems like he's using God's grace as an excuse to do whatever he wants. What's the correct way to view God's grace?

A.
There's an old saying: "To err is human, to forgive divine." That's true. We all sin and we all need to be forgiven, and the Bible says, "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8, NIV). He loves us so much that he sacrificed his life to forgive us for our sins, even those that we struggle with trying to break them.

But it's so easy to take advantage of God's love. One smart-aleck once said:

"I love to sin, God loves to forgive. What a wonderful arrangement."

In Romans, Paul confronts such thinking: "Should we sin because we are not ruled by law but by God's grace? Not at all! Don't you know that when you give yourselves to obey someone you become that person's slave? You can be slaves of sin. Then you will die. Or you can be slaves who obey God. Then you will live a godly life" (6:15-16, NIRV).

It sounds like your friend is becoming enslaved to sin and doesn't even want freedom. That's a problem. It sounds like he doesn't want to follow and obey Jesus, which calls into question whether he can truly be called a Christian. Putting it a bit more pointedly, Augustine, a church leader in North Africa around A.D. 400, said, "It is human to err; it is devilish to remain willfully in error."

It's a serious problem when people take advantage of God's mercy and continue in their sin, never repenting or even trying to turn their behavior in God's direction. In fact, knowing your behavior is wrong and continually opting for wrong over right is choosing to turn your back on God. And that's a dangerous place to remain in. I'd recommend you gently find a way to help your friend see the truth of Romans 6:15-16. He has a choice of what's at the center of his life: sin or Christ. Right now, he's making the wrong choice.

Numbers 14:22-23
22 Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;
23 Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it:
 
Last edited:

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,173
2,536
113
#2
Grace is not a free ticket to splurge in sin
 

jandian

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2011
772
11
18
#3
GOD will not be mocked. You will know them by their fruits.
 
A

Ariel82

Guest
#4
that's not "
[h=2]Taking advantage of God's mercy "[/h]

that is misunderstanding what the Gospel message is.

If you toke advantage of God's mercy, you would repent and turn from your sinful ways.

You would seek God with your whole heart and seek to overcome your flesh and the sins of your flesh.

no, that is a man who has deceived himself.

He is more like the dark clouds without rain that the Bible warns believers about:

2 peter 2

They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you, [SUP]14 [/SUP]having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. [SUP]15 [/SUP]They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; [SUP]16 [/SUP]but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet. [SUP]17 [/SUP]These are wells without water, clouds[SUP][b][/SUP] carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.[SUP][c][/SUP]
 
N

Nicee

Guest
#5
There r millions of Christians in hell who had been baptisted, go to church every weekend, pray, look and act rihteous in their friends and family eyes etc. So why r they in hell if they look and act so righteous. Jesus said "The protitues, theives will enter into Heaven before u." Christ isnt saying that to the religious leaders of that time but he is saying that to all those who call themselvs Christians, Muslim, Jews etc.
 
Mar 4, 2013
7,761
107
0
#6
Taking advantage of God's mercy is continuing in sin thinking salvation is a thing of the past and all the responsibility of our actions lies on Christ. If we grow more careless, insecure, neglectful, not so constant in duty, not so watchful and strict in conversation, or giving very little thought that Christ suffered humiliation for our sin, we are takiing advantage of God's mercy. Israel's reactions written in the law and the prophets is our example for understanding God's mercy and grace.

Paul implies that those who do such things are not truly born again: What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein ? (Rom. 6:1-2)

Those who are truly born again into God's kingdom will daily "died to sin" as Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:31. They hate sin and desire it to be revealed within themselves in order to repent and carry their cross daily as they follow Jesus. Though they may fall from time to time, they do not willingly continue in sin.

Psalm 78:
1 Give ear , O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
3 Which we have heard and known , and our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:
6 That the generation to come might know them, *even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:
7
That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:
8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright , and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.
9 The children of Ephraim, being armed , and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.
10 They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;
11 And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them.
12 Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
13 He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through ; and he made the waters to stand as an heap.
14 In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire.
15 He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths.
16 He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.
17 And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness.
18 And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust.

John 17:18-20
18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
20 *Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
 
Last edited:
Mar 3, 2013
858
30
0
#7
that's not "
Taking advantage of God's mercy "

that is misunderstanding what the Gospel message is.

If you toke advantage of God's mercy, you would repent and turn from your sinful ways.

You would seek God with your whole heart and seek to overcome your flesh and the sins of your flesh.

no, that is a man who has deceived himself.

He is more like the dark clouds without rain that the Bible warns believers about:

2 peter 2

They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you, [SUP]14 [/SUP]having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. [SUP]15 [/SUP]They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; [SUP]16 [/SUP]but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet. [SUP]17 [/SUP]These are wells without water, clouds[SUP][b][/SUP] carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.[SUP][c][/SUP]
Just recently God brought this to my mind: “People have lost sight of the FACT that it is a privilege to be God’s child. It is the greatest privilege available to humanity and so many totally ignore it.”

It is undeniably obvious that the vast majority of professing Christians today do this very thing. Ignoring the fact that being a child of Almighty God is the greatest privilege available to humanity is definitely taking advantage of God’s mercy.

You are correct when you said, “You would seek God with your whole heart and seek to overcome your flesh and the sins of your flesh.” The problem is the utter lack of humility in mankind today and, at least in America and very predominantly in the CC Bible Discussion Forum, the complete lack of respect for elders, those more mature Christians of whom we should be learning, is so extensive that it is off the charts. Therefore, the lack of humility and respect for those who would teach, renders one unwilling to submit to God by thinking more highly of oneself than he/she should. In order to not take advantage of God’s mercy, we are to have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5), something we cannot have unless we study. Therein lies another problem, which stems from the lack of humility, which dictates that one must never admit he/she has been wrong in his/her beliefs on a given subject or passage of scripture. Study means to investigate to LEARN, not scour through the Bible to find a verse or two that one can quote to back up one’s preferred, comfortable position on something, ignoring the context and the Bible as the whole, cohesive covenant that it is. The first chapter of 2 Peter warns us against such error.

I could get very long-winded on this but I want to make one more point on the subject before I let this rest. We were members of church at one time where it was frequently said that if we don’t know something in the Bible, we aren’t responsible to obey it. These people literally refused to learn what God wants of us and used a single scripture to back their position – and only the first half of the verse at that! Acts 17:30 (KJV) [SUP]30 [/SUP]And the times of this ignorance God winked at;…”

Unless we truly are willing and desire to learn daily more and more of what God expects of us who call ourselves His children, and willing to truly examine our own thoughts and motives, we are taking advantage of God’s mercy…and one day, we will be very sorry we did so.
 
Mar 3, 2013
858
30
0
#8
I ran across a statement on another thread that I am going to quote here as an example of how we take advantage of God’s mercy – by making God in our preferred image of Him. “Our relationship with God as the church, the body of Christ is a much more personal, up close relationship as a Father relates to his sons/daughters. Gotta love it!”
God is our Heavenly Father. There is no disputing that FACT. We have chosen to address God in prayer and conversation as “Father”, a title there is nothing wrong with but we have done it to the exclusion of seeing Him as He is in His Completeness – such as “LORD” and “Almighty God” and “The Great I AM” etc. We are subconsciously more comfortable these days viewing God as a doting daddy who can hardly bear to discipline the child. This too is taking advantage of God’s mercy.
 

JesusLives

Senior Member
Oct 11, 2013
14,551
2,171
113
#9
So many people think it is hard to be saved, Question is Why do they think it is hard? Well when I thought it was hard it was because there was some pet sin I did not want to give up..... and then in honesty - How many of us have knowingly sinned? You know it is wrong but you want to do it anyway? I have to be honest I have been there done that.....not proud of it either.

As I have gotten higher numbered (age wise).....I have come to realize that God is gracious and merciful, but He wants all of us 100% not just a part of us and it is hard or so we think to submit our entire selves to Him.

This year since spring I have been doing my best to continue to submit my entire self to God and it has been so much easier to deal with life and the problems that get thrown my way as I know God is with me and we are in agreement. He said His yolk is easy and His burden is light....it is true. The peace I have in my soul is so much more rewarding than me trying to keep holding on to those pet sins and one by one God has helped me let go of them and we daily walk together my Lord and I.
 
May 9, 2012
1,514
25
0
#10
Ok, I'm gonna say it...JUST because you are older doesn't mean you can't learn from the younger generations either. The respect requires mutual grounds in Scripture. The thing about respecting elders on here is that this is an online community where people can pretend to be any age they want just to keep their identity a little private. You can't just bash younger generations for "disrespect of elder authority" on here when there is plenty to learn from the younger generation. I've seen that on here as well. So the accusations have to go both ways.
 
S

sassylady

Guest
#11
A lot of people believe you don't lose your salvation, but I would hope I would never presume upon God like that. I don't see how you can live a life like that and get the same benefits as somebody who honestly loves and obeys God.
 

john832

Senior Member
May 31, 2013
11,363
185
63
#12
Oh don't worry, this guy is not taking advantage of God, he is only fooling himself.
 
Feb 21, 2012
3,794
199
63
#13
I ran across a statement on another thread that I am going to quote here as an example of how we take advantage of God’s mercy – by making God in our preferred image of Him. “Our relationship with God as the church, the body of Christ is a much more personal, up close relationship as a Father relates to his sons/daughters. Gotta love it!”
God is our Heavenly Father. There is no disputing that FACT. We have chosen to address God in prayer and conversation as “Father”, a title there is nothing wrong with but we have done it to the exclusion of seeing Him as He is in His Completeness – such as “LORD” and “Almighty God” and “The Great I AM” etc. We are subconsciously more comfortable these days viewing God as a doting daddy who can hardly bear to discipline the child. This too is taking advantage of God’s mercy.
How is seeing God as my heavenly Father taking advantage of God's mercy? Seeing God as my heavenly Father gives him less honor? Fathers at times dote on their children but also must show discipline when needed. God through his Holy Spirit has no problem convicting me when I am in the wrong . . . and has no problem showing and giving me His love - God has great balance.

How can one take advantage of God's mercy anyway - for we will all appear and stand before the judgment seat of Christ so that each of us will receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil.


 
Mar 3, 2013
858
30
0
#14
A lot of people believe you don't lose your salvation, but I would hope I would never presume upon God like that. I don't see how you can live a life like that and get the same benefits as somebody who honestly loves and obeys God.
AMEN! If one really and truly has salvation he/she will live a life pleasing to God and not be in danger of losing salvation. The trouble is that multitudes of people out there have experienced a false conversion, assume they are "saved" and can do whatever they want because God will forgive them.
 
Mar 3, 2013
858
30
0
#15
Ok, I'm gonna say it...JUST because you are older doesn't mean you can't learn from the younger generations either. The respect requires mutual grounds in Scripture. The thing about respecting elders on here is that this is an online community where people can pretend to be any age they want just to keep their identity a little private. You can't just bash younger generations for "disrespect of elder authority" on here when there is plenty to learn from the younger generation. I've seen that on here as well. So the accusations have to go both ways.
The Word of God tells us to respect our elders and actually, your outburst simply proves some people either don’t know how or cannot bear to humble themselves enough to display a truly Christian demeanor toward others while demanding they be respected. There is more of a difference between you and me than 40 years…guaranteed! If you want to be elevated/lifted up then “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” James 4:10 (KJV).

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. James 4:6 (KJV)
And we have all heard what happens when we feel we must elevate ourselves – you know displaying our vast knowledge of scripture and wisdom to discern it - Proverbs 16:18 (KJV) “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”

Oh, by the way, thanks for your help by illustrating the point I was trying to make.
 
Mar 3, 2013
858
30
0
#16
How is seeing God as my heavenly Father taking advantage of God's mercy? Seeing God as my heavenly Father gives him less honor? Fathers at times dote on their children but also must show discipline when needed. God through his Holy Spirit has no problem convicting me when I am in the wrong . . . and has no problem showing and giving me His love - God has great balance.

How can one take advantage of God's mercy anyway - for we will all appear and stand before the judgment seat of Christ so that each of us will receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil.
Now, let me see – how did I write that so it was confusing??? “We have chosen to address God in prayer and conversation as “Father”, a title there is nothing wrong with but we have done it to the exclusion of seeing Him as He is in His Completeness – such as “LORD” and “Almighty God” and “The Great I AM” etc.
We are subconsciously more comfortable these days viewing God as a doting daddy who can hardly bear to discipline the child. This too is taking advantage of God’s mercy.”

Indeed! God has great balance – PERFECT in fact. It is ours that gets screwed up!

Yes, we will ALL stand before the judgment seat of Christ and be recompensed as He sees fit. He – God - the Great I AM - El Shaddai - El Elyon, just to name a few of His mighty names, requires those who claim to be His to conduct their lives in a manner worthy of association with Almighty God. Denying or ignoring traits we are supposed to have causes us to not fit the description. Personally, I would rather do my best in this life than take my chances at judgment because I was too proud to learn or didn’t like some of the requirements of Christianity which = making God into an image I like rather than accepting the true God as He is.

What is so hard to understand anyway?
 
B

biscuit

Guest
#17
Ok, I'm gonna say it...JUST because you are older doesn't mean you can't learn from the younger generations either. The respect requires mutual grounds in Scripture. The thing about respecting elders on here is that this is an online community where people can pretend to be any age they want just to keep their identity a little private. You can't just bash younger generations for "disrespect of elder authority" on here when there is plenty to learn from the younger generation. I've seen that on here as well. So the accusations have to go both ways.
While I agree with you, the bible commands you to respect your elders. Not to respect your elders is going against God's doctrines.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Mar 3, 2013
858
30
0
#18
So many people think it is hard to be saved, Question is Why do they think it is hard? Well when I thought it was hard it was because there was some pet sin I did not want to give up..... and then in honesty - How many of us have knowingly sinned? You know it is wrong but you want to do it anyway? I have to be honest I have been there done that.....not proud of it either.

As I have gotten higher numbered (age wise).....I have come to realize that God is gracious and merciful, but He wants all of us 100% not just a part of us and it is hard or so we think to submit our entire selves to Him.

This year since spring I have been doing my best to continue to submit my entire self to God and it has been so much easier to deal with life and the problems that get thrown my way as I know God is with me and we are in agreement. He said His yolk is easy and His burden is light....it is true. The peace I have in my soul is so much more rewarding than me trying to keep holding on to those pet sins and one by one God has helped me let go of them and we daily walk together my Lord and I.
Amen, sister! God does want all 100% of us! Why is that so hard to understand these days? People who won’t submit to God in reality don’t know what they are missing by making Him and His Word into a nice warm fuzzy image they are more comfortable with.
 
B

biscuit

Guest
#19
It is likely your friend was never saved. Jesus will be the only One who will determine if we are saved or not when we close our eyes forever ... unless raptured.

This is why the OSAS doctrine is a very dangerous belief to many Christians. It is not up to man to determine if we are saved and have eternal life. Jesus will have the finally say. That's why it is so important to get saved, practice His commandants, statues & laws with constant repenting daily.
 
C

ChristIsGod

Guest
#20
About elders ... I can see both points. I have also been very-very edified and blessed by literally-very-very young Believers and I don't look at the ages of people but how much they love Him. But I've also worked with "the elderly" since 16 y.o. in health care and have always felt for them and how they are treated and advocated to the State level on that.
In the world - I do see a disregard for the aged though.

But also - it's not Biblical to treat 'anyone' disrepectfully.
I'm trying to think of a way to say this delicately. I really don't like naming-names - but the late Harold Camping comes to mind and even though he was elderly/older - though I would show elders with the same "respect" that I'd give, and am expected to give any of His creation - I don't have to agree with them or keep quiet about their error and I think we've all tried to correct an elder when they are in dangerous Scriptural error or sin or leading the young astray. Truth trumps age - right?
As long as we do it Scripturally and watch ourselves as well, lest we also stumble.