Grace is unmerited favor. The extent we understand this determines the extent to which we will extend grace and mercy, both to ourselves and others. Grace doesn’t excuse sin. Grace is God’s presence to do what only He can do, through Christ’s finished work on the cross. Grace empowers righteousness.
Romans 5:20 (NLT) God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.
Although God extends his grace and mercy, forgiving us of sin through the sacrifice of Christ, His grace doesn’t always save us from our foolish decisions.
The results of a recent survey by LifeWay Research and Bible Studies for Life found nearly half of Americans (47%) agree they are dealing with the consequences of a bad decision on some level. Think about that. Nearly one out of two people you will see on the street, at work, in the park, or at church are dealing with issues related to a bad choice.
Look at David and Bathsheba (adultery)...Samson and Delilah (unequally yoked/lack of parental blessing)...Abraham and Hagar (trying to force God's promises & favor through a wrong relationship). This list could go on and on.
When we make foolish decisions, refuse to trust God, or take matters into our own hands, God will allow us to do just that.
We are given the ability to make decisions based on free will---but it doesn't mean we are free from the consequences. And many times, the consequences are ongoing. There are some decisions that I made early in life with consequences that will last until I die or Jesus returns.
God allows consequences because of His holiness, as well as His great love for us (we can't disobey and "get away with it"...at some point, the consequences will show up) but God is still good to us before, during, and after our foolish decisions.
Proverbs 24:12 NKJV If you say, “Surely we did not know this,” Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?
Take for example David and Bathsheba: David had an affair with Bathsheba and even had her husband killed. The consequence was great...David and Bathsheba's first born child was allowed to die. God didn't just leave a consequence though… Instead, God was merciful (after David repented) and gave a blessing. A very great blessing. David and Bathsheba were given Solomon. Jesus was also born out of the genealogy of David.
So do we keep on sinning and expect a future blessing? Absolutely not. That would be playing with fire...and directly challenging God.
Romans 5:20 (NLT) God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.
Although God extends his grace and mercy, forgiving us of sin through the sacrifice of Christ, His grace doesn’t always save us from our foolish decisions.
The results of a recent survey by LifeWay Research and Bible Studies for Life found nearly half of Americans (47%) agree they are dealing with the consequences of a bad decision on some level. Think about that. Nearly one out of two people you will see on the street, at work, in the park, or at church are dealing with issues related to a bad choice.
Look at David and Bathsheba (adultery)...Samson and Delilah (unequally yoked/lack of parental blessing)...Abraham and Hagar (trying to force God's promises & favor through a wrong relationship). This list could go on and on.
When we make foolish decisions, refuse to trust God, or take matters into our own hands, God will allow us to do just that.
We are given the ability to make decisions based on free will---but it doesn't mean we are free from the consequences. And many times, the consequences are ongoing. There are some decisions that I made early in life with consequences that will last until I die or Jesus returns.
God allows consequences because of His holiness, as well as His great love for us (we can't disobey and "get away with it"...at some point, the consequences will show up) but God is still good to us before, during, and after our foolish decisions.
Proverbs 24:12 NKJV If you say, “Surely we did not know this,” Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?
Take for example David and Bathsheba: David had an affair with Bathsheba and even had her husband killed. The consequence was great...David and Bathsheba's first born child was allowed to die. God didn't just leave a consequence though… Instead, God was merciful (after David repented) and gave a blessing. A very great blessing. David and Bathsheba were given Solomon. Jesus was also born out of the genealogy of David.
So do we keep on sinning and expect a future blessing? Absolutely not. That would be playing with fire...and directly challenging God.
Romans 6:1-4, 15-18 NKJV What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
God is merciful but He also weighs the heart and desires our obedience.
John 14:23 NKJV Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
If you've been disobeying God in any area, why not take the steps you need to take to get right with Him today?
Proverbs 21:2-3 NKJV Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts. To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
Favor is in His hand for those who are genuinely repentant.
Thankfully, followers of Christ do not need to live with self-condemnation. The scriptures assure us,
If God does not condemn us there is no reason to allow our conscience to do so.
Psalms 103:12 NKJV As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
God’s forgiveness is full and free. Even our most damaging decisions can be redeemed to honor and glorify Him in due time, even if that time is not until Jesus returns, but it will come.
Run back to Abba Father today and ask for a fresh start. He is very merciful.
Psalms 30:4-5 NKJV Sing praise to the Lord , you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.
God is merciful but He also weighs the heart and desires our obedience.
John 14:23 NKJV Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
If you've been disobeying God in any area, why not take the steps you need to take to get right with Him today?
Proverbs 21:2-3 NKJV Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts. To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
Favor is in His hand for those who are genuinely repentant.
Thankfully, followers of Christ do not need to live with self-condemnation. The scriptures assure us,
If God does not condemn us there is no reason to allow our conscience to do so.
Psalms 103:12 NKJV As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
God’s forgiveness is full and free. Even our most damaging decisions can be redeemed to honor and glorify Him in due time, even if that time is not until Jesus returns, but it will come.
Run back to Abba Father today and ask for a fresh start. He is very merciful.
Psalms 30:4-5 NKJV Sing praise to the Lord , you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.
RSS Feed