Grace, it's a mighty big word (Part 4)

 Grace Isn't a Free Pass

One of the most common misunderstandings about Christianity is the idea that because we're saved by grace, sin doesn't really matter anymore.

I'll admit, that's something I've thought about before. If God forgives my sins... If His grace is bigger than my failures... Then why shouldn't I just live however I want?

The answer is actually pretty simple. Because that's not what grace does.

Before I became serious about my walk with Christ, I knew when I was doing something wrong. I knew drinking too much was wrong. I knew looking at pornography was wrong. I knew the crappy things I said were wrong. I knew there were things in my life that needed to change.

But I did them anyway.

Looking back, I wasn't trying to honor God. I was trying to satisfy myself.

The difference today isn't that I'm perfect. Far from it.

The difference is that when I sin, it bothers me. Not because I'm afraid God will stop loving me. But because I love Him.

That's what grace does. It changes your heart.

Paul knew people would ask this same question, so he addressed it in Romans 6.

He wrote:

"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?"

— Romans 6:1–2 (NKJV)

Paul's answer couldn't have been any clearer. Grace isn't permission to sin. Grace is the reason we fight against it. Not because we're trying to earn heaven. Not because we're afraid God is waiting to punish us.

But because Jesus has already done what I never could. He died on the cross... for my sins.

The more I understand what it cost Jesus to offer me grace, the less I want to see how close I can get to sin.

Instead, I find myself wanting to become more like Him.

Do I still fail? Absolutely.

Do I still need God's grace every single day? Without question.

But I don't wake up wondering how much I can get away with anymore. I wake up wanting my life to honor the One who gave everything for me.

That's what grace does. It doesn't just forgive your past. It begins changing your heart, and little by little, it changes your future.

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