It seems to me that sin has become an ugly word in Christianity today. Some argue that sin should not be mentioned because we lived under grace. We know God’s grace always suffices when we sin. Nevertheless, as Paul the apostle writes, “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” (Roman 6:1, KJV).
“God forbid” (verse 2).
I thank God for His amazing grace. Without it, none of us would make it to heaven. Nevertheless, I submit that even under grace, how we live matters in the eyes of God. The grace of God does not give us a pass to sin. Grace does not render the message of godly living and obedience to God null and void.
So, here is the question. Since we are saved by grace and not by works, why does it matter how we live in the sight of God? And why is it that even under the new covenant of grace, the Bible calls on us to confess our sins for receiving God’s forgiveness? (see 1 John 1:9).
The Immutability of God
To answer to the questions posed above, we must bear in mind the nature of the God and the Lord we serve. God says, “I am the Lord I change not” (Malachi 3:6, KJV). Furthermore, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Hence, though we live under grace, the character of God and of our Lord has not changed. So, here are three reasons it matters how we live under grace:
1. Jesus is not only Savior but also Lord. “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Jesus asks (Luke 6:46, KJV). He is not interested in mere lip service from us. He is Lord. Through the Scriptures, He tells us how to live as His followers. When He speaks, He expects us to both hear and obey Him. No other response is acceptable to the one we call Lord.
2. “…God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6, KJV). The first part of this verse says that “he giveth more grace.” Think about what this verse is saying. We are under grace, but based on this verse, we can live one of two ways. If we walk humbly before God, He gives us more grace. But if we fail to walk humbly before Him, He resists us. Why would God do that if under grace it matters not how we live?
3. God is light. John writes, “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all”(1 John 1:5, KJV). This truth about God affects our ability to have fellowship with Him. We can only enjoy fellowship with God when we walk uprightly before Him.
“If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.”
1 John 1:5, KJV
Even under grace, God calls us to live our life to bring glory to His name. We can’t do that if we live a compromising lifestyle and one of justifying willful sin. Sin pleases our flesh. But it brings no glory at all to God.
Copyright © 2022 by Frank King. All rights reserved.