By Tom Wacaster
The late Ira North was known for stressing the importance of balance in our lives. Extremes are dangerous in any area of life, and extremes, more often than not, lead to abuses, which in turn are sinful in the sight of God. A good example of this can be seen in Jude’s warning to the brethren: “For there are certain men crept in privily, even they who were of old written of beforehand unto this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ” (Jude 4). I find it incredible that anyone could “turn the grace of our God into lasciviousness.” We are not provided the details of exactly how these false teachers were abusing God’s grace, but it seems obvious to this student that they must have been suggesting that because God’s grace is so abundant that when we participate in sin, whether willingly or because we have been “overtaken in a trespass” (Gal. 6:1), that God’s grace somehow automatically provides forgiveness, even while participating in the sin itself. God’s grace had become an excuse to sin. Paul warned of such thinking in Romans 5:20 thru 6:14. In that epistle Paul had set forth the abundant grace of God, and concluded that “where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly” (Rom. 5:20). In order to prevent going to the extreme, Paul then asks, and answers, a question: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid. We who have died to sin, how shall we any longer live therein?” (Rom. 6:1-2). The problem in Paul’s day, Jude’s day, and even in our day, is that impenitent men want to extoll God’s grace while excusing their participation in sin.
Martin Luther rebelled against the Catholic Church when it introduced the sale of indulgences to finance a building project. If one can put money into the coffer in advance of sin, and then participate in that sin as if it has been properly “paid for,” is that person not abusing God’s grace? I came across this amusing story that addresses this very point. There was a fellow who stole his neighbor’s car. He went to the priest and confessed the sin and the priest absolved him and told him the price would be $10. The man put $20 into the coffer and turned to go his way. The priest told him had paid too much, and the man replied, “Just keep it—tonight I’m going out looking for another car.” While we may laugh at the story (or weep at the abuse of God’s grace), the warning to us from Paul and Jude is quite clear. God’s grace is not some kind of talisman that can rid us of the consequences of sin just because we think it to be so. Here are some ways we might abuse God’s grace.
First, we abuse God’s grace when we think sin is a light thing. Foolish is the hypocritical church goer who thinks that sin is “no big deal.” If he thinks God’s grace will excuse him from his wilful rebellion, he will find himself in the same boat as the rich fool in Luke 12 whose soul was required of him that very night.
Second, multitudes in the Lord’s church bank on God’s grace to save them even though they live in an adulterous marriage. Repentance demands cessation of sin, and coming out of an adulterous marriage is no exception, regardless of the wonderful grace of God.
Third, an occasional response to the Lord’s invitation on Sunday morning without any real change in life is abusing God’s grace. Where are those souls who have come forward, seldom with tears in their eyes or a heavy burden on their heart, asked for forgiveness, and then fail to even darken the doorway of the church for another six months or so when, once again, they attend, come forward, and “ask for forgives for some vague wrong doing, or for having said some things that might have offended others.
Finally, do we not abuse God’s grace when we fail to attend, pray, study, visit, help with the work of the church, et al, and then sing with a loud voice on those occasions when we happen to be present with the saints, “God’s grace lifted me”? Lifted you from what? To do what? Let us never forget that passage in Titus 2:11-12: “For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world (emphasis mine, TW).
God has prescribed the proper balance when it comes to His grace. Faith in His gracious gift, and a response in loving obedience. Nothing else will work!