The Abuses of Grace The Grace of God can be Abused

Grace Grace is a beautiful word We often say it means – unmerited favor Example will explain – You are arrested for some offence The judge finds you GUILTY of the crime Then the judge says, “You are awarded $1 million.” THAT IS GRACE!

Facts About Grace 1 - The gospel is the result of God’s grace Galatians 1:6-7 - Galatians 1: I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.

Facts About Grace 2 – Grace is Sufficient 2 Corinthians 12:9 - 2 Corinthians 12:9 - 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Facts About Grace 3 – We are saved by grace Ephesians 2:5 - Ephesians 2:5 - even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), Ephesians 2:8 - Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Facts About Grace 4 – God’s grace makes us better people 1 Corinthians 15: Corinthians 15: For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Facts About Grace 4 – God’s grace makes us better people Hebrews 4:16 - Hebrews 4:16 - Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Origin of Grace 1 Corinthians 1:3 - 1 Corinthians 1:3 - Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace is from God our Father and Jesus In the NT – especially associated with Jesus John 1:17 - John 1:17 - For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Grace Can Be Abused Excuse to Sin Excuse to Sin Jude 4 - Jude 4 - For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace Can Be Abused Excuse to Sin Excuse to Sin Romans 6:1 - Romans 6:1 - What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Instead of teaching the responsibility of man – we think that grace will allow us to keep on sinning.

Grace Can Be Abused Salvation by Grace Only Salvation by Grace Only Some teach that salvation is by “grace only” Some teach that salvation is by “grace only” They teach than man has no part in his salvation They teach than man has no part in his salvation Rubel Shelley, “Man has not one whit to do with his salvation.” Rubel Shelley, “Man has not one whit to do with his salvation.”

Grace Can Be Abused Grace Excludes Works Grace Excludes Works Grace and works (obedience) are not mutually exclusive Grace and works (obedience) are not mutually exclusive The Bible teaches – BOTH The Bible teaches – BOTH Faith is a work – John 6:29 - Faith is a work – John 6:29 - Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”

Grace Can Be Abused Grace Excludes Works Grace Excludes Works Ephesians 2: Ephesians 2: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them

Grace Can Be Abused Grace Excludes Works Grace Excludes Works Saving faith is ALWAYS active and obedient Saving faith is ALWAYS active and obedient James 2:24 - James 2:24 - You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. James 2:26 - James 2:26 - For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Grace Can Be Abused Grace Foregoes Righteousness Grace Foregoes Righteousness “I have God’s grace. I don’t have to live a righteous life.” “I have God’s grace. I don’t have to live a righteous life.” Romans 5:21 - Romans 5:21 - so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Don’t Abuse Grace Grace = God’s gift Righteousness = Man’s acceptance of that gift There are some who think that grace will cover their immoral, unholy, ungodly, and unrighteous life. THIS IS AN ABUSE OF GRACE! THIS IS AN ABUSE OF GRACE!

Don’t Abuse Grace Jude 4 - Jude 4 - For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept Grace – Appreciate Grace Accept Grace – Appreciate Grace Don’t Abuse Grace Don’t Abuse Grace