The gospel, the whole counsel of God, is the good news about God’s grace. God’s grace regarding sin is a gift that both the believer and unbeliever have part in. It’s important to know what grace is and to continually seek a better understanding of what grace does in our lives.
Grace is a theme throughout the scriptures culminating with the New Testament, with the coming of Jesus. When Adam ate the forbidden fruit God’s grace provided a way back, with God promising to raise a savior Genesis 3:15. “Grace and truth came to us through Jesus Christ” John 1:17. The word grace translated in the New Testament comes from the Greek word Charis, meaning “favor, blessing, or kindness”. We all can extend grace to others; but when the word grace is used in connection with God, it takes on a way more powerful meaning. Godly grace is love, mercy, compassion, sacrifice, and salvation.
Grace vs Sin
In Romans chapters 1-3 Paul explains that all people fall short of Godly righteousness, and need His favor or grace. It’s because of God’s grace toward man, that God sent His only begotten Son to be crucified for the sins of everyone who ever lived 1 John 2:2. Jesus paid the sin debt of the world.
By grace even the sins of the unbeliever are not imputed to them, God does not penalize them with death, unless they die without accepting Christ. By grace the sins of the believer are forgiven now forever “He will remember the believers sins no more” Hebrews 8:12.
Grace is not a License or Excuse to Sin
However the believer does not have a license to sin. Grace is not an excuse or free pass to sin. God’s will for believers is sanctification, transforming us into the image of His Son Romans 8:29. When believers sin and dont repent we are telling God He’s wrong and you know best. We all are under the law of “reaping and sowing” Galatians 6:7-8.
Grace Covers All Sin but,
Grace covers your sin, but most sins involve others. You still must ask forgiveness from those who were harmed by your sin. When unbelievers see believers sin and not repent ,they embarrass the faith before the world. No wonder they call believers hypocrites. Then there is God whom every sin is against. The believer needs to repent to God and be cleansed 1 John 1:9.
When believers sin, God looks for a contrite heart so that He can trust you again to do His will and be a son in good standing. 1 John 1:9 says to “confess our sins and He will cleanse us.” When the faithful sins we feel regret and guilt because we have done wrong in the sight of our Savior. That begins the process of changing our mind and turning away from whatever sin you have done, that’s called repenting. Today some believers are too proud to confess anything to anybody. Unlike confessing and being cleansed, “God resists those who are proud but gives more grace to the humble” James 4:6.
Moreover, believers work for rewards, when believers sin we are NOT doing good or the will of God, but disobeying God. The results of believers’ sin will be a loss. 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 says, “If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only through fire”. A believer’s “life is not our own” to do what we want, “we were bought with a price” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. The quality of our actions will be tested by fire. God The Father is in the process of sanctifying us, changing us into the image of Jesus Romans 8:29. When believers transgress the will of God, that tells God you know best. You are not cooperating, promoting or following the will of God. You will lose. Paul tells us to always “work out your salvation with fearing God and trembling” Philipians 2:12.
Misunderstood Grace
One way we imperfect believers walk in the light is by honestly admitting our sins. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” 1 John 1:8–9. By God’s grace He calls the believer redeemed, righteous, and “justified” and soon to be “glorified” Romans 8:30. However, God’s grace regarding sin is a gift that both the believer and unbeliever have part in.