I remember once an issue of ‘grace’ and “continuing in sin” came
up online and I made a remark, pouring out from my spirit my spiritually perceived
Biblical sight on the two. Here is the link for reference; it will help a lot
reading through: http://drwilliamsbukola.blogspot.com/2012/12/standing-on-grace.html?spref=tw
Now, I just wish to
make some clarifications. Jesus never condemned sinners; He spoke about the
life of sin. And once He said, “He that
believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned
already...” (John 3:18). John the Baptist in condemnation of sin once
passionate spoke thus: “Then said he to
the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers,
who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (Luke 3:7).
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No one was born a saint, but along the
way many by grace accepted salvation. Some are yet to hear the gospel of God’s
love; others have, still on line to repent; some the Bible says there are “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they
which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have
pleasure in them that do them” (Romans 1:32).
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There are those who have their
consciences seared with ‘hot iron’; some are church leaders, while yet some are
church workers, and others just members...how then can “we continue in sin and ask grace to abide”? The Bible says, “God
forbid” (Romans 6:1, 2). “For if we
sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there
remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of
judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries” (Hebrews
10:26, 27).
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I do not think God will be happy over a
vessel who is supposed to be (an) holy vessel, who continues to live in sin
during the week day, only to appear “before” God in church on Sunday in the
name of grace. He says, “And, Let everyone
that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there
are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and
some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from
these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's
use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Tim. 2:19-21).
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The church is a place for sinners to come,
and not to remains sinners, but become saints by grace. The Lord, no matter how
much He loves the bride (the church); He will never open the gates of Heaven to
a defiled bride. He definitely does not want any to perish/go to Hell, but that
all should REPENT>>REPENT>>REPENT and not continue in sin.
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We were all born sinners: “For all have sinned” (Rom. 3:23). But “What shall we say then? Shall we continue
in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin,
live any longer therein?” (Rom. 6:1, 2).
Do
we condemn men? No. Do we say we are “perfect”? No. This is the driving force behind
our lives: “Take heed unto thyself, and
unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself,
and them that hear thee” (1 Tim. 4:16). And this single reason cease not we
“to warn every one night and day with
tears” (Acts 20:31).
The church is not a
place to become at ease and live comfortably in sin all in the name of grace. The
church should not condone but rather condemn sin (not sinners). As it is said, ‘Every
saint also has a past and every sinner has a future’. The church is not to
leave men as they were.
If sinners find comfort
in the world and still find comfort (even in sinful ways) in the church, then
we have missed it!
If there is no fire in
the church to burn sin off now, then there is a Hell fire waiting to burn
sinners in Hell. And this is why it is the church that is saddled with the
divine mandate to “save with fear,
pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh” (Jude
1:23).
There is grace. Yes. It
saved us. Many of us heard the messages of Hell, Heaven, Rapture...and God’s
grace saved us. But today the church (in some quarters) is scared to talk about
and against sin. Many do not want to hear sins mentioned. Many deliberately do
not tune in to TV channels that preach against sin, Heaven, Rapture and Hell. When
you preach about sin they frown at you and others attack or condemn you. Some
would say you take things too seriously. They talk about grace, grace and
grace...but then, there is a point where grace would disappear, and that is in
eternity and many would wish they were heavily warned about sin(s).
There are messages
coming from Hell where people in torment kept saying their pastors never told
them the truth. One particular lady was said to have kept repeating that ‘how
could she forgive her pastor’ (eventhough it is too late)...she said her pastor
told her (and perhaps others) that some things were not sins, but alas they
hunt her in hell. There is grace, but we must continue to talk about and against
sin and warn sinners about continuing in the ways of sin. We should condemn the
sins not the sinners.
God does not want any
to remain (continue) in sin. “He that
covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them
shall have mercy” (Prov. 28:13). God frowns at secret sins...and this seemed
to have been my point majorly, that many enjoy the pleasures of living in
sin...though they come confessing every Sunday, they never forsaken. God says
we should not continue in sin, but forsake sin.
The same grace that
saved us is the same grace that teaches us that the way to live is to say NO; “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and
worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present
world” (Titus 2:11, 12).
Do we continue to
condone (because the church is a haven for sinners) testimonies of men of God
committing immorality with church members; church workers living in sin
continually; choir ministers who minister in songs to continue in sexual
immorality, etc? Should we not tell me to fear God who sees all and will judge
all? “But exhort one another daily,
while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the
deceitfulness of sin” (Heb. 3:13). The Bible says that some things should
not even be mentioned amongst us as become saints: “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be
once named among you, as becometh saints” (Eph. 5:3).
“All
scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). The
word of God is like mud being dispersed; it splits on different categories of
people in the church differently. To some it comes for reproof and rebuke, yet
for others it comes for correction, and some to encourage, etc. “Preach the word; be instant in season, out
of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine (Titus 4:2)
Today, people glory in committing
sin and when sin is mentioned they quickly mention grace. Paul, speaking to the
church in Corinth said: “It is reported
commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so
much as named among the Gentiles...” (1 Cor. 5:1). He called sin by its
name and went on to pass his judgment.
I believe in grace. I
believe men should come to church and get reached onto salvation. And I also
believe that we carry the divine mandate to prepare the church for Christ’s
coming. Jesus is not coming for the world or the sinners, but for a church spotless,
without blemish or stain. Men do not have eternity to flee from sin...it should
be now, for who knows when the rapture shall take place. And for grace; it saved
me 22 years ago...and found me backsliding 17years ago, and brought me back.
And even today and in my daily strive for that mark of a higher calling in
Christ, it has been grace. But oh that we will not remain at peace while men in
the name of grace glorify in iniquity...Paul said, “I do not frustrate the grace of God” (Gal. 2:21).
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