There is a constant misuse of grace as an excuse for continuing to commit sin. They often say that the Old Testament doesn't apply to us. We are under the grace of God. We have heard this message over and over again. I have to admit that I find it very hypocritical because they will quote from it, if they feel that it will fit whatever narrative they are trying to push. It's either you believe all of it or you believe none of it but I digress. They take Paul's statement that we are no longer subject to the law, but rather to the grace of God. Nevertheless, they continue to leave out the part where he asks, "What shall we say then?"?" Should we continue in sin so that grace may abound? God forbid.
Romans 6:1-18
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
I have addressed this subject previously, but I am going to do so again. There is a limit to God's grace and mercy. This is where his judgment and wrath come into play. You may not believe it, but we are given a grace period.
Psalm 103:8-10
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
It is up to us to come before him repentant and with a clean heart. Although I have tattoos and piercings, I have repented of my sins and I know that God has forgiven me. My piercings have been removed.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new
There must be a change. God will clean you up. It is inevitable that whatever is on the inside of you will be revealed. Through your appearance, your language, or what you entertain. I don't do the things that I used to do. I don't go to the places that I used to go. I no longer listen to the music that I previously listened to. I don't dress the way I used to dress. I don't watch the things that I used to watch. The spirit of God will bring about a change. God will teach you. If you allow him to. People just want to do what they want to do.
Hebrews 10:26-31
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
What they fail to realize is that God is the same God that He was in the Old Testament. We can see from scripture that the punishment will be worse than what it was under Moses' law. We have deceived ourselves into believing that God is okay with sin. Well, God loves me. Yes, he does. That is precisely why he gives us the opportunity to turn to him. To restore our relationship with him, he gave his only begotten son, Jesus. This is so that we would not perish, but have eternal life with our Father. God never intended for us to perish and go to hell. Nevertheless, many people find themselves in that position as a result of sin and the filthiness of their flesh.
Ecclesiastes 8:11-13
Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.
Having come to Christ, you should not continue to do the things you did as a sinner. God will not tell one group of people, "That's fine, do it". Then tell another group of people that it's not OK. God is not the author of confusion. We are called to be different. As Saints, we are required to be separate. There is a difference between clean and unclean, between holy and unholy. As born again believers, we are called to be a light on a hill that cannot be hidden. God's true people are set apart. It is difficult to distinguish between sinners and saints. Therefore, the church looks like, acts like, and dresses like the world. Straight is the gate and narrow is the way.
I did not intend to go in this direction, but I have to speak what God has given me. Grace is not a license to sin. You continue to indulge in the filth of your flesh. Who persuaded you that you should disobey my words? What right do you have to declare my word null and void? As the Lord your God, I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. It is my word that endures forever. It is I, God, who am eternal. I have continued to call you back to repentance. I asked you to come to me so that I could clean you up and purify you through the blood of Jesus. How long will you continue to deny me? How many more times will you dare to deny my word? How long will you choose to walk in sin? I gave you away. I gave you a choice, but you continue to deny me.
It was my grace that permitted you to live. I extended my grace to you when I allowed you to repent. Grace is when I allowed you to notice the car coming into your lane and you were able to get over. I demonstrated grace to you when I healed you when you were ill. I demonstrated grace to you when I prevented the enemy from destroying you. Grace is when I did not allow you to perish in your sin. I have given you numerous opportunities to repent and come to me. When I allowed you to be in my presence, I gave you grace. I allowed you to get to know me. I allowed you to hear my voice. In grace, I sent my apostles, prophets, pastors, and evangelists to warn and call you back to repentance. You did not listen. You took my grace for granted. You have hardened your hearts.
My wrath is against you, the very ones that say God is OK with this and God is OK with that. My judgment, my hand is moving among the nations. There are those who say they believe in me, but they do not live for me. You do not represent me. I have counted you an enemy unto me. All will revere me, all will see who I truly am, as there is no more grace for the wicked. I will not hear you in the day of your calamity.
Psalm 5:4-5
For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
Grace is not a license to sin. Even on this day, do not harden your hearts. You have heard the word of the Lord. Repentance is here. Forgiveness is here. Redemption is here. Come to God while he can still be found.
Remember that God loves you, and so do I with the love of Christ.