First lets define the word grace as used in scripture.
From G5463; graciousness (as
gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or
spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in
the life; including gratitude): - acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace (-ious),
joy liberality, pleasure, thank (-s, -worthy).
John 1:17 "For the law was given by Moses, grace and truth came
by Jesus Christ."
Jude 4 NIV "They are godless men, who change the grace of our
God into a license for immorality"
How many professing Christians are doing that? Who pervert the grace of God
by their conduct: "We are free to transgress the Ten Commandments; we don't
need to obey God and keep His commandments!" That is wrong!
1 John 5:3 "For this is the love of God, that we keep His
commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome"
Eternal life is the gift of God through Jesus to those who believe on him,
and in what he said. The gift is not bestowed upon those who refuse him and
continue in sin.
Jesus warned His followers,
Luke 6:46 "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the
things which I say?"
Romans 3:19-31 "Now we know that what things soever the law
saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be
stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the
deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the
law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the
law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the
righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all
them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come
short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the
redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a
propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for
the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To
declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and
the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is
excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we
conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Is
he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the
Gentiles also: Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by
faith, and uncircumcision through faith. Do we then make void the law
through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law."
Romans 6:10-14 "For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but
in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to
be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in
the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of
unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are
alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto
God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law,
but under grace."
Peter recognized that the writings of Paul, explaining the law, could be hard
to comprehend.
2 Peter 3:15 - 16, HBFV "As he has also in all his epistles,
speaking in them concerning these things; in which are some things that are
difficult to understand..."
Paul states,
Romans 7:12 "Therefore, the law is indeed holy, and the
commandment holy and righteous and good..."
Romans 3:31 "Are we, then, abolishing law through faith? May it
never be! Rather, we are establishing law ().
Acts 5:32 "We are told we must keep the commandments"
No where in scripture does it say that you do not have to work at not sinning
to enter the kingdom!
