Grace

#1 · November 13, 2011, 8:15 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on November 13, 2011, 8:15 pm
Posted by: bneumann848 <bneumann848@...>

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? Romans 6:1-2 NKJV

There is a misguided perception being perpetuated that God's extravagant grace gives us the freedom to sin. Nothing could be further from the truth. Those who claim that grace gives us license to habitually, unashamedly live in sin have misunderstood both grace and the new birth.

Sitting in church doesn't make me a Christian any more than sitting in a garage makes me a car. Being born into a Christian family doesn't make me a Christian. Being a "good" person doesn't make me a Christian. But when I invited Jesus to be the Savior of my soul and the Lord of my life, the Spirit of God moved in and took up residence inside of me (1 Corinthians 6:19) and I became a brand new creation on the inside. The old sin nature passed away - it was no longer dictator over my spirit - my spirit became new (2 Corinthians 5:17). Renewing my mind to God's way, however, is a life-long journey. In other words, while everything may not change overnight, it should be greatly evident that a change of ownership has taken place. I am no longer my own; I have been bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

"No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, for God's nature abides in him [His principle of life remains permanently within him]; and he cannot practice sinning because he is born (begotten) of God" (1 John 3:9 AMP). Grace doesn't give me a "right" to continue living the old, unrenewed life, habitually, intentionally disregarding God's way; grace covers my mistakes. It should tear us up inside when we sin, not because we have broken a rule, but because we've broken His heart. And that should bring us to our knees in heartfelt repentance at His feet, because the Holy Spirit inside of us yearns to restore the Bride to the Bridegroom. Leave the past at His feet and let Him make you new.

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Posted by: bneumann848 <bneumann848@...>

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? Romans 6:1-2 NKJV

There is a misguided perception being perpetuated that God's extravagant grace gives us the freedom to sin. Nothing could be further from the truth. Those who claim that grace gives us license to habitually, unashamedly live in sin have misunderstood both grace and the new birth.

Sitting in church doesn't make me a Christian any more than sitting in a garage makes me a car. Being born into a Christian family doesn't make me a Christian. Being a "good" person doesn't make me a Christian. But when I invited Jesus to be the Savior of my soul and the Lord of my life, the Spirit of God moved in and took up residence inside of me (1 Corinthians 6:19) and I became a brand new creation on the inside. The old sin nature passed away - it was no longer dictator over my spirit - my spirit became new (2 Corinthians 5:17). Renewing my mind to God's way, however, is a life-long journey. In other words, while everything may not change overnight, it should be greatly evident that a change of ownership has taken place. I am no longer my own; I have been bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

"No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, for God's nature abides in him [His principle of life remains permanently within him]; and he cannot practice sinning because he is born (begotten) of God" (1 John 3:9 AMP). Grace doesn't give me a "right" to continue living the old, unrenewed life, habitually, intentionally disregarding God's way; grace covers my mistakes. It should tear us up inside when we sin, not because we have broken a rule, but because we've broken His heart. And that should bring us to our knees in heartfelt repentance at His feet, because the Holy Spirit inside of us yearns to restore the Bride to the Bridegroom. Leave the past at His feet and let Him make you new.

To subscribe: <adevotionalgroup-subscribe@welovegod.org>

To unsubscribe: <adevotionalgroup-unsubscribe@welovegod.org

If you have questions: <adevotionalgroup-owner@welovegod.org>