This is an interesting twist on an old, somewhat hackneyed, argument. I’d love to know what you think.
Before you go getting ballistic on me, keep in mind that I believe in the Bible and right and wrong. I believe the Bible sets out moral guidelines which, when taken at face value, leave no doubt as to what it says. It is when we try to twist them to mean what we want them to mean, sometimes to justify our lifestyles, that we get into trouble. I have had people come to me and say, “I am leaving my wife/husband because this other person makes me happy…and I deserve it.” I have had people say to me, “It can’t be wrong. It feels right. I feel good about this.” God will never lead us into temptation, nor will He ever cause us to do evil.
I can’t hardly believe God is thrilled with getting the credit on some of the award shows for some of the garbage being put out these days. Are you kidding me? Nor can I believe He is sitting enthralled and giving a stamp of approval on someone saying, “God told me to kill that person.” Say what? Those are much more blatant though than the subtle ways we accept and approve license.
Someone once questioned me about grace. “It must be nice to sin and know you are forgiven.” (Comment shortened and modified some). My response to anyone saying that is this: “God never intended for His grace to be presumed upon. Romans 6:1-2 is very clear about that. Grace is not a license to sin. It is a license not to…but when we do (which is inevitable), we can know His forgiveness.”
So…what do you think?
“Grace is not a license to sin. It is a license not to…but when we do (which is inevitable), we can know His forgiveness.”
Spot on, Bill!
Thanks Steve. I honestly believe grace changes the way we look at things.
When I think about the grace He gives, I don’t know why we continue to sin. It motivates me to adjust my behavior.
That is so important Larry: “it motivates me to adjust.”
I am thankful for His grace. Not a one time gift, but a continual showering of His love for each of us. I screw up every day in multiple ways, even when I am trying my best. Do I think that His grace is a get out of jail free card? Certainly not, but I am so thankful for it. I think that it always serves me in how I deal with others (or how I try to deal with others).
Well said Daniel. I, too, am thankful for His grace in multiple ways.
There is a link missing from above your writing, although I get the gist of where you’re going. It’s part of our fallen nature to justify and make excuses… The words of Adam ring in my ears, “It’s the woman YOU gave me’s fault!”
Truth regardless of how we feel about it doesn’t change… He is the same yesterday, today, and forever!
Not sure what is happening Floyd. It shows up in mine but won’t in anyone else’s.
You are right. Truth never changes.
Okay, yeah, that’s a great quote. “The plank in your eye” scenario. That speaks to that verse very well. We all have weaknesses…
We continue to sin because we don’t (down deep) really want to stop.
“We are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves.”
We say that each Sunday in our liturgy. Keeps us real. Honest about ourselves.
So we don’t get to where we believe that we are actually doing a good job of it all. Then the forgiveness of sins (grace) actually means something.
not to be taken wrong Stephen: I don’t need to say a liturgy to remind myself I’m not doing a very good job of it. Sadly, I know that all too well.
Your “It must be nice…” quote sounds like something I might have said. I think anyone who does a special favor, gives someone a break, does a charitable act, etc. doesn’t intend for it to be presumed upon or taken advantage of.
While sin is not a word in my vocabulary I do believe in making amends for my screw ups particularly if they affect other people.
I just wouldn’t ever find any comfort in a continuous pardoning of my screwups by an entity not involved in the act. I can see where some might find that comforting but it just seems meaningless to me.
I think God did instruct people in the Old Testament to kill people, enslave the enemy, etc. So that wouldn’t be such a stretch to me if the Bible were all true.
I too believe in right and wrong. I probably just get it from a different source.
True confession: it is. 🙂 You use the words “screw ups.” I use the word sin. Same thing if taken to mean an affront to God. We do see some things from the same valley, just with different glasses. Right is right and wrong is wrong. My glasses tend to be the Bible. I know yours are not.
Sorry everyone for the absence of the quote & picture. Ryan (the techgeek) told me what I did wrong and fixed it.
Your post brought one of my favorite scripture to mind.
II Corinthians 5:14-15 for the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that, one died for all, therefore all died. And He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
When I do sin I know His love for me covers it in His eyes. Now people here on earth without understanding the depth of this truth will only judge me by my sin. His love motivates me to live for Him and not myself which is where my sins come from. Well put Bill.
I’m glad God has not judged me by my sin. He sees me through the eyes of His Son. Thankfully.
An Emphatic YES – We (aka I) need a plank-ectomy for sure
You too?
I’ve never thought about it this way. And you know what I wrote yesterday about Love and how it’s just thrown about without pursuing truth.
But Hating sin in my life should be enough of a full time job without delving into others.
I just dislike how “love” is a some sort of panacea without ever really getting into the tough things of the Gospel
i agree David (as I commented on your post yesterday). I tire of the “love love love” idea without the truth. We end up having a bunch of miniature Joels and Robs running around. 🙂