There has been much debate as to the functionality of GRACE. All believers love, appreciate, and are grateful for the GRACE of GOD. I believe all agree that we are SAVED BY GRACE (Eph 2:8). Beyond that there seems to be a vast divide in the understanding and explanation of grace. While there are multiple tributaries th...ere appear to be two primary streams of thought.
One thought pattern presents grace as though it was a BIG eraser, instantly erasing any sin committed by a believer. Their position is that once a person prays the sinner’s prayer that ALL SIN past, present, and future is washed away by the blood of Jesus because of the GRACE OF GOD. To them, while it is admirable to live a life that is pleasing to God it is not necessary because the GRACE OF GOD instantly removes any sin committed. Once saved they can never fall from grace thus there is never again an eternal consequence for sin, it’s like having a “get out of Hell free pass”.
The other thought pattern is that the GRACE OF GOD empowers you to triumph over the tempter’s snare. They define grace as “God’s ability working in you and through you to do what you could never do apart from Him”. They believe that the same God who can wash away your past sins can empower you to resist future temptations to sin. They believe that God’s call to holiness was a commandment not a suggestion and realize that apart from the GRACE OF GOD this is impossible for man.
Every man/woman must ask themselves, is the GRACE OF GOD given to make God more like man (blind to our sin or negligent of His Word) or to make man more like God (supernaturally empowered to accomplish His purposes)? Before you offer a casual response born from your traditions; let me remind you that your ETERNAL DESTINY hangs in the balances. You see a “get out of jail free pass” only works in Monopoly; the County Sheriff isn’t impressed. What happens if while standing before God you hand Him your “get out of Hell free pass” and He says, “depart from me ye worker of iniquity, I never knew you.”? Matt 7:21-23? You may say, I am not a worker of iniquity; I prayed the sinner’s prayer years ago and He sees nothing beyond that. Are you willing to bet your eternity on that? Verse 22 makes it clear that the people He was talking to had prophesied, cast out devils, and done many wonderful works in His name (one would assume that at one time or another they too had prayed the sinner’s prayer). They thought they should be welcomed into Heaven, (no doubt their doctrine thought them they would) they even argued the point with Jesus; but JESUS judges according to HIS WORD not our interpretation (or in some cases, manipulation) of it.
Let me encourage you to read the Bible in earnest pursuit of truth rather than in attempts to support your preconceived doctrine or ideology. THE GRACE OF GOD TRULY IS AMAZING!
One thought pattern presents grace as though it was a BIG eraser, instantly erasing any sin committed by a believer. Their position is that once a person prays the sinner’s prayer that ALL SIN past, present, and future is washed away by the blood of Jesus because of the GRACE OF GOD. To them, while it is admirable to live a life that is pleasing to God it is not necessary because the GRACE OF GOD instantly removes any sin committed. Once saved they can never fall from grace thus there is never again an eternal consequence for sin, it’s like having a “get out of Hell free pass”.
The other thought pattern is that the GRACE OF GOD empowers you to triumph over the tempter’s snare. They define grace as “God’s ability working in you and through you to do what you could never do apart from Him”. They believe that the same God who can wash away your past sins can empower you to resist future temptations to sin. They believe that God’s call to holiness was a commandment not a suggestion and realize that apart from the GRACE OF GOD this is impossible for man.
Every man/woman must ask themselves, is the GRACE OF GOD given to make God more like man (blind to our sin or negligent of His Word) or to make man more like God (supernaturally empowered to accomplish His purposes)? Before you offer a casual response born from your traditions; let me remind you that your ETERNAL DESTINY hangs in the balances. You see a “get out of jail free pass” only works in Monopoly; the County Sheriff isn’t impressed. What happens if while standing before God you hand Him your “get out of Hell free pass” and He says, “depart from me ye worker of iniquity, I never knew you.”? Matt 7:21-23? You may say, I am not a worker of iniquity; I prayed the sinner’s prayer years ago and He sees nothing beyond that. Are you willing to bet your eternity on that? Verse 22 makes it clear that the people He was talking to had prophesied, cast out devils, and done many wonderful works in His name (one would assume that at one time or another they too had prayed the sinner’s prayer). They thought they should be welcomed into Heaven, (no doubt their doctrine thought them they would) they even argued the point with Jesus; but JESUS judges according to HIS WORD not our interpretation (or in some cases, manipulation) of it.
Let me encourage you to read the Bible in earnest pursuit of truth rather than in attempts to support your preconceived doctrine or ideology. THE GRACE OF GOD TRULY IS AMAZING!