The grace of God is a beautiful thing. By God’s grace we are saved, through faith in Jesus Christ. Freely, but not cheaply, we are justified through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Yes, grace is necessary for our hearts to be established. However, whenever the message of grace is misinterpreted, it creates an unbiblical sanction of sin, to which Paul the apostle responded, “God forbid!”
Paul wrote to Titus that “the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age”, even as evil as it is. Never should we turn the grace of God into a doctrine that endorses unholy living. Instead, grace inspires us to be obedient in all manner of behavior.
“Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid!”
When we are “born again”, that is, experience a spiritual birth, we become new creatures. We change kingdoms, and we gain a new citizenship. We reject our former, corrupt ways, and “put on the new man”. We no longer follow our natural (i.e. per our human nature) inclinations, but we wage war against evil. We lay aside all filthiness in both flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness, “without which no one will see the Lord”. We desire to bring our heavenly Father joy by walking in His truth.
Therefore, as we study and apply God’s word, may those moral blemishes be removed that misrepresent Jesus. God forbid that we should desire anything less or anything else!
