There have been a number of people who have approached me asking about the doctrine of grace and how some preachers preach a different kind of grace that they feel were not biblical.
Some people call it GRACISM. The teaching basically is that it is okay to do whatever you want today because even if you sin, you are already forgiven. It also teaches that you don’t need to repent of your sin because you are already forgiven.
As I read through Scripture and as the gospel has become more alive in me, I also realized that even though I sin against God – He still loves me.
Colossians 1:9-14
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,[e] 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[f] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
The gospel changes us. The law guides but it will never give life. I cannot imagine our nation not having any laws. Try driving thru EDSA without any law. It is sometimes tempting to tell people that the law no longer exists. The law is still there but we are not under the law anymore but under grace.
Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
Some teachings on grace implies that we do not need abide the law of God. It has been an excuse for some who has abused God’s grace to continue in their sin. What Paul was saying is that God has already given us the grace to obey His commands and even if we sin against us there is grace for us to receive His forgiveness because of His finish work at the cross.
The letter of Paul to the Colossian church is that we as children of God live Christ-like.
10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,
Why are we able to live holy in a sinful world??? If you say it is because of God’s law then you are gravely mistaken. The law guides and tells us what is right and wrong but it will never make us do the right thing. The reason we can live in Christ likeness is found in the verses 12-14
Colossians 1:12-14 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
The gospel reminds us of what we already have and who we already are.
Qualified, Rescued, Brought, Redeemed, Forgiven
Transformation comes from the understanding of our position in Christ. It is a done deal. The hard work of sanctification is going back daily to our justification. Those who perform better are those who understand that their standing with God has nothing to do with their performance. You have nothing to prove.
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