“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?” -Romans 6:1

When I look scripturally to the character of the living God, I have clearly noticed that He is holy and He is just and that is, in fact, what makes Him good (Jeremiah 9:24).

“The Lord… will not at all acquit the wicked” -Nahum 1:3

In contrast, when I look out and see what men in the American Church have done with His character, in twisting it into a character that is unscriptural, I feel that I must take the responsibility in setting the scriptural record straight (2 Peter 36-17).

“These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.” -Psalm 50:21

“As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed”.  -Galatians 1:9

These use the grace of God as an occasion for the flesh (Galatians 5:13) and on the other hand, they attempt to make Christ their minister of sin (Galatians 2:17).

Most recently, while studying the Old Testament, namely the 5 books of Moses, I had noticed that when it came to the sacrifices for all kinds of sins, and after going through the list of them, I could not find 1 sacrifice for willful sin; willful, which today is in contrast with the false grace that is being preached (Galatians 5:13).

Before I get into this, I want to share scripturally that all sin is not willful.

“Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” -Psalm 51:5

“Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.” -1 Timothy 1:13

Now in getting to the point, Scripture tells us:

“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.” -Hebrews 10:26-31

Hebrews 6:6 tells us: “If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”

And when I look to the Author and the Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2) and to the example that He left us (Hebrews 13:7), I see where He laid to them that accused Him of sin that He was without sin (John 8:46).

“Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:” -1 Peter 2:22

I noticed that the woman that was caught in adultery and Jesus, having shown mercy to her, said: “go and sin no more” (John 8:11).

Another example from John 5:14: “Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.”

Moses lost the promise land because of one sin (Numbers 20:12).

Achan lost his life along with the entirety of his families for one sin (Joshua 7:24-26).

Friends, one leak sinks the boat.

For those that would overlook real grace, John 8:24 tells us: “He said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”

Why would we want to sin if we see what Christ did for us on the cross? (John 3:16)

Again, Romans 6:1 tells us: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?”

Remember that “the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17).

To those who need understanding as to what grace empowers us to do, here are some examples.

“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.  He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.  -1 John 2-6

“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” -1 John 3:4

“And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.  Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.  He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.  Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.  In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.” -1 John 3:5-10

1 John 5:18 tells us “We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.”

Personal choice-What is it that you want to do, tells you to whom you are born (John 3:3).

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” -Romans 12:2

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” -1 Corinthians 10:13

“ Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.  Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” -James 1:12-15

It all lies within whom you love the most.

“And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.  Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.  There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.  And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?   Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.” -Luke 7:37-43

Article posted with permission from Sons of Liberty Media.  Article by Bradlee Dean.