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

What 'believer is not familiar with that passage? And yet if asked just ‘how are we saved by grace’ ...are we even able to explain it? Sadly...too many sincere people have been conditioned to ‘hang the hat of their salvation’ on that one verse and think all is well with their soul.

These same people can be quick to point out how we are “not under the law, but under grace.” (Rom. 6:14). But then they fail to make the connection with what Paul would write in Galatians 5:18...”those who are led by the Spirit...are not under the law.”

“Led by the Spirit?” So is that really...’a thing’? Well, yes it is because that is who the true children of God are if Romans 8:14 counts for anything.

I would venture to guess that many new converts have been taught that being ‘led by the Spirit’ means that He will 'lead' you to attend church regularly, and to give of your resources as you read your Bible regularly and try your hardest to be a better person/Christian while avoiding those ‘big sins’. I mean, after all...’nobody can be perfect’ and you are always going to sin...God knows this but as long as you avoid the really evil sins like murder and rape and adultery...etc, you should be good. (Or so we've been told)

It might be a good idea to read the verse just before there, (Rom. 8:13) that reminds us that if we continue to live according to the flesh (nature)...we will die. But IF...by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” And if there is any confusion as to what those ‘deeds of the body are’, then take a quick review of Gal. 5:19-21 and Rom. 1:29-32.

Paul underscores the fact in both passages that those who continue to practice these ‘deeds’ will NOT inherit the kingdom of God and those who do are ‘deserving of death’. I know...such a chilling and sobering warning and probably one you don’t hear shared too often from many pulpits today. But those are His words, not mine.

So where does this ‘grace’ figure in and how does it ‘work’? Let me begin by stating emphatically...Grace is not some canopy of protection that allows a ‘believer’ to continue practicing sin while escaping the penalty of sin, which is death. “Let no one deceive you with empty words...for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.” (Eph. 5:3-6)

I know we’ve all been taught how God’s grace is His ‘unmerited favor’ and “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense”. But friends...we’ve not been told the ‘rest of the story’. Yes, Paul wrote that where ‘sin abounded, grace did much more abound’ (Rom. 5:20); but then he follows up by asking: “Shall we continue in sin so that grace may abound? Certainly not! How...shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (Rom. 6:1-2).

“Died to sin?” What on earth does that even mean, given most believers will readily admit they continue to sin...on a daily basis at that (or at least their flesh does); which makes Gal. 5:24 and 1 John 3:6 hard to process when we read it.

Let me leave you with this for today and then we can pick up here tomorrow, Lord willing... God’s grace...empowers us to become something we could never be on our own. Be ‘perfect’...He said? (Matt. 5:48). “Sin no more”...He instructed? (John 5:14; 8:11). Not be ‘angry with a brother or call someone a fool or entertain lustful thoughts’? (Matt. 5:21-30)

Nope...there is no way you could ever live like this, like Jesus did...outside of His grace. (1 John 2:6;3:6). More tomorrow....Lord willing; and Happy New Year. :- )

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