Is this avoiding the truth of Jude?
For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.....
Any teaching that states the grace of God allows you to live an immoral life and elevates grace above Jesus Christ is not grace....
I heard a low level Pastor from a very well know international ministry state that God gift of Grace is greater than the Gift of his son and everyone clapped and hooted and hollered and said...preach that...bring it and had no idea what they were saying...
I think the gift of grace (whilst a gift I would also say that it is intrinsic of Gods nature) is given freely through Jesus death.
I would also say that if it is intrinsic to the nature of God then it is given to the whole of mankind whether believers or not.
What I mean by this is that if God were to exact on this world the punishment due for sin he would have wiped it out when Adam sinned.
But we know he is patient and wants no one to be separated from him.
Its because of that we have the gift of grace because of Jesus which is the forgiveness of sins.
I think Jude was written to believers to warn them that there will be people who come in and will distort true grace.
Be on guard because these people will come in and a sense God knows they will come in because have already been marked for condemnation.
Jude 1:16-22
Apostates Predicted
16 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.
17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ:
18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts.
19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.
Maintain Your Life with God
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction;
23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
A true believer will not abuse the grace of God and use it as an excuse to sin.
The gospel of preached correctly concerning grace covers our sins can in fact lead to an attitude that I can sin all I want.
Paul addressed this Romans.
Having corrected that he addresses the true purpose of grace.
To be honest I would be like Paul.
Although I do have to say that I am not aware of anyone here falling foul of what Paul had to address.
