Grace is Not a Cover-up

Grace is Not a Cover-up

“For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”  John 1:17

            I once heard a man, who was leaving his wife for another woman, say that he would repent afterwards and God would forgive him.  He wasn’t the least bit concerned because he relied on God’s Grace for forgiveness.  Although it is true that divorce is not the unforgivable sin, God hates it because of the pain it brings not only to the couple, but also to the rest of their families.  However, regardless of what the sin is, with sin come consequences!

            The Grace of God is not a cover-up for sin.  Just like the man above whose sin was premeditated; he thought God wouldn’t even notice.  Let’s look at Numbers 32:23, “But if you do not do so (obey), then take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out.”  A born again believer knows what it means to sin and when you do, it is against God.  Yes, God forgives through his Grace, but his Grace does not cover up sin.  You cannot hide it from him. 

We all sin daily, but as true Believers, our goal is to change and to become more Christ-like as we grow in the faith.  Personally, I don’t know where I would be today without the Grace of God.  We have all done and said sinful things we have regretted even after we have been saved.  We need to repent of our sins and rest in the love of God. How wonderful is love like this. God's loving forgiveness grows out of His remarkable Grace. "Where sin increased, Grace increased all the more" (Romans 5:20).   “It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s Grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them.  And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s Grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.”  Romans 11:5-6 (NIV)

             Recently I heard an evangelist make the point that once you are saved you never have to account for sin again because of Grace.  Let’s follow up on that.  First, Roman’s 6:14-15 says, “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.  What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!”  Being ‘saved’ doesn’t mean we can do anything we want, but we are still accountable.  Let’s continue on with Galatians 5:4 in the Message Bible, “I suspect you would never intend this, but this is what happens. When you attempt to live by your own religious plans and projects, you are cut off from Christ, you fall out of Grace.”

            What a warning this verse in Galatians gives to those who believe they can’t fall away from the Grace of God.  God loves you; he wants you to be happy, but you can never be totally happy if you take the freedom he has given you and once again become a prisoner of sin!  Grace goes a long way in God’s eyes, but has its limits. 

            I think about King David who misused God’s Grace – but when he admitted his sin against Bathsheba and Uriah, her husband, he said this.   “Then David confessed to Nathan, (the Prophet) "I've sinned against GOD." Nathan pronounced, "Yes, but that's not the last word. GOD forgives your sin. You won't die for it.” 2 Samuel 12:13 (MSG) God forgave David - after David repented! The rest of David’s life was filled with struggles and the sword as God’s punishment for the sin that had filled his life.

            Roman’s 11:5-6 [TLB], explains it in a way that shows us what God’s Grace is not: “ It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them.  And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.”

            Just remember this – by God’s Grace we are saved.  Then we are called to The Grace of God is beyond my understanding, but it must not be taken lightly. “For the Grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,  teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,  looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:11-13 (NKJV)  However, it is obvious that we must keep our eyes on the path ahead of us, so we won’t wander off and fall from God’s Grace.