"Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you.
Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish
talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be
thankfulness to God." Ephesians 5:3-4 NLT
There are people who claim to be teachers of a new grace message who are teaching things about sin that are entirely strange to faith in Christ. In their effort to make faith in Christ appealing to people, they end up diluting the stern warnings of the bible against sin, making it seem as if grace condones sinful living. But this is what scripture says: "Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do." Ephesians 5:6-7 NLT
There can be no more clear statement of scripture depicting God's severe posture against sain and those who do not only practice sin, but motivate other to engage in sinful living. According to this scripture, the anger of God will fall on all who disobey Him. Now, is this a warning directed at the unbelievers who cannot but disobey God? Absolutely not! This is a letter addressed to a body of believers. When any teaching of grace fails to show God's severity against sin, and those who practice it, it is certainly not the true message of God's grace.
God's standard is never lowered because those transgressing His commands are His children. In fact, the standard required of them is higher, because to whom much is given, much is required. What most of us do not realize is that grace does not lower the requirements for right living, it raised the bar. So, let those who name the name of the Lord depart from iniquity. Sadly, we are in a time when standards are tumbling down, but even at that, it should not be so for those who call on the name of the Lord.
There are people who claim to be teachers of a new grace message who are teaching things about sin that are entirely strange to faith in Christ. In their effort to make faith in Christ appealing to people, they end up diluting the stern warnings of the bible against sin, making it seem as if grace condones sinful living. But this is what scripture says: "Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do." Ephesians 5:6-7 NLT
There can be no more clear statement of scripture depicting God's severe posture against sain and those who do not only practice sin, but motivate other to engage in sinful living. According to this scripture, the anger of God will fall on all who disobey Him. Now, is this a warning directed at the unbelievers who cannot but disobey God? Absolutely not! This is a letter addressed to a body of believers. When any teaching of grace fails to show God's severity against sin, and those who practice it, it is certainly not the true message of God's grace.
God's standard is never lowered because those transgressing His commands are His children. In fact, the standard required of them is higher, because to whom much is given, much is required. What most of us do not realize is that grace does not lower the requirements for right living, it raised the bar. So, let those who name the name of the Lord depart from iniquity. Sadly, we are in a time when standards are tumbling down, but even at that, it should not be so for those who call on the name of the Lord.
Toni
