The Abuses of GraceThe Abuses of Grace

The Grace of God can be Abused

GraceGrace Grace is a beautiful word We often say it means – unmerited

favor Example will explain –

You are arrested for some offence The judge finds you GUILTY of the crime Then the judge says, “You are awarded

$1 million.” THAT IS GRACE!

Facts About GraceFacts About Grace1 - The gospel is the result of 1 - The gospel is the result of

God’s graceGod’s grace Galatians 1:6-7 -Galatians 1:6-7 - 6I marvel that

you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.

Facts About GraceFacts About Grace2 – Grace is Sufficient2 – Grace is Sufficient 2 Corinthians 12:9 -2 Corinthians 12:9 -9And He said

to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Facts About GraceFacts About Grace3 – We are saved by grace3 – We are saved by grace Ephesians 2:5 - Ephesians 2:5 - even when we

were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

Ephesians 2:8 -Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Facts About GraceFacts About Grace4 – God’s grace makes us better 4 – God’s grace makes us better

peoplepeople 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 - 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 - 9For I am the

least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Facts About GraceFacts About Grace4 – God’s grace makes us 4 – God’s grace makes us

better peoplebetter people Hebrews 4:16 - Hebrews 4:16 - Let us therefore

come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Origin of GraceOrigin of Grace 1 Corinthians 1:3 - 1 Corinthians 1:3 - Grace to you

and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace is from God our Father and Jesus

In the NT – especially associated with Jesus

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

Grace Can Be AbusedGrace Can Be Abused Excuse to SinExcuse to Sin Jude 4 -Jude 4 - For certain men have crept

in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace Can Be AbusedGrace Can Be Abused Excuse to SinExcuse to Sin Romans 6:1 - Romans 6:1 - What shall we say

then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?

Instead of teaching the responsibility of man – we think that grace will allow us to keep on sinning.

Grace Can Be AbusedGrace Can Be Abused Salvation by Grace OnlySalvation by Grace Only Some teach that salvation is by Some teach that salvation is by

“grace only”“grace only” They teach than man has no They teach than man has no

part in his salvationpart in his salvation Rubel Shelley, “Man has not one Rubel Shelley, “Man has not one

whit to do with his salvation.”whit to do with his salvation.”

Grace Can Be AbusedGrace Can Be Abused Grace Excludes WorksGrace Excludes Works Grace and works (obedience) Grace and works (obedience)

are not mutually exclusiveare not mutually exclusive The Bible teaches – BOTHThe Bible teaches – BOTH Faith is a work – John 6:29 - Faith is a work – John 6:29 -

Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”

Grace Can Be AbusedGrace Can Be Abused Grace Excludes WorksGrace Excludes Works Ephesians 2:8-10 - Ephesians 2:8-10 - 8For by grace

you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them

Grace Can Be AbusedGrace Can Be Abused Grace Excludes WorksGrace Excludes Works Saving faith is ALWAYS active Saving faith is ALWAYS active

and obedientand obedient James 2:24 - James 2:24 - You see then that a

man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

James 2:26 -James 2:26 - For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Grace Can Be AbusedGrace Can Be Abused Grace Foregoes RighteousnessGrace Foregoes Righteousness ““I have God’s grace. I don’t I have God’s grace. I don’t

have to live a righteous life.”have to live a righteous life.” Romans 5:21 - Romans 5:21 - so that as sin

reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Don’t Abuse GraceDon’t Abuse Grace Grace = God’s gift Righteousness = Man’s acceptance of

that gift There are some who think that grace will

cover their immoral, unholy, ungodly, and unrighteous life.

THIS IS AN ABUSE OF GRACE!THIS IS AN ABUSE OF GRACE!

Don’t Abuse GraceDon’t Abuse Grace Jude 4 - Jude 4 - For certain men have crept

in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Accept Grace – Appreciate GraceAccept Grace – Appreciate Grace Don’t Abuse GraceDon’t Abuse Grace