GRACE: FREEDOM TO SIN OR FREEDOM FROM SIN?

One of the commonest points of criticism against the "word of faith movement", the "prosperity preachers" and, most recently, the "grace message" is that preachers are "no longer condemning sin", "no longer preaching holiness" or are actually "encouraging sin" by preaching or teaching "lawless grace". While I'm not here to speak for or against any church, denomination or preacher, I'd like us to take a deeper look at the message of grace. Is it really freedom to do anything and be blameless before God? Or is grace about our freedom from the power of sin?

One scripture answers the question explicitly: Titus 2:11-15. It says that God's grace teaches us to deny sin and live righteously. It really can be no clearer than that! Reading all 5 verses reveals what grace really is all about: denying ungodliness and worldly lusts; living righteously, soberly and godly in THIS present world; expecting Jesus' return; our redemption from iniquity and our purification unto God.

Romans 6 is even more exciting. In 9 out of 23 verses, the Holy Spirit (through Paul) emphasised our freedom from sin, using words like dead to sin, made free from sin, ye WERE the servants of sin etc etc. It seems even Paul was accused of preaching "lawless grace" (Romans 3:8) and his reply was a strong NO! We are not under the law but under grace (Romans 6:1-2&14-15), but the conclusion is not that we are free to sin, it is that we are free FROM sin! It is now our RESPONSIBILITY to not allow sin to control us, but rather to YIELD ourselves to righteousness (Romans 6:13&19).

Say with me today please:

I have been made free from sin, I'm free

I now have the ability to say NO to sin, for grace teaches me so

I am not subject to sin, I am superior to sin, a servant of righteousness

I don't HAVE to sin, if I sin, it's because I chose to

I now take responsibility to walk in love, walk in righteousness

I take responsibility to build my spirit, renew my mind, subdue my flesh and kill its works

I choose to live righteously, for grace has taught me so

I have learnt from the best (Grace), I continue to learn and do

I have been made free from sin, now I live free in Jesus' name!

ENJOY!

THE SERVING SON

Many have learnt service

Some have learnt sonship

Some understand neither

But precious few live both

I will serve and be approved, says one

I'm accepted, I need not serve, says another

But hear the serving son's heart

Accepted in the firstborn, I am privileged to serve

The servant will receive his rewards

The son will enjoy his Father's love

But see the serving son's end

By Love's justice, He inherits and rules the earth

The servant, he expects wages

The son, he comes boldly and takes

The serving son, he simply trusts

All that the Father has is mine.