Questions Answered in This Article
What does the Bible say about grace and sin?
The Bible teaches that where sin abounds, grace abounds even more, highlighting the potency of God's grace in the face of sin (Romans 6:1).
Romans 6:1
What does the Bible say about grace and sin?
The Bible teaches that where sin increased, grace abounded all the more (Romans 5:20).
In essence, the gospel challenges believers to live in light of their new status as children of God, marked by a desire for holiness and goodness. The overwhelming abundance of God's grace doesn't promote sin; it empowers believers to overcome it. This significant truth serves as evidence of the transformative power of the gospel and provides a clear distinction from doctrines that promote salvation by works, which lack such depth and freedom found in grace. Thus, the relationship between grace and sin is vital for understanding the true essence of the gospel.
Romans 6:1, Romans 5:20
How do we know justification by grace is true?
Justification by grace is affirmed throughout Scripture, particularly in the New Testament, where salvation is offered freely to those who believe (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 5:1
How do we know salvation is by grace alone?
Scripture asserts that salvation is a gift of grace, not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Additionally, the concept of grace as the means of salvation distinguishes Christianity from other belief systems which often hinge upon human actions or merits. The preaching of salvation through grace highlights the abundance of God's mercy and the unearned favor bestowed upon sinners. This assurance allows believers to rest in the finished work of Christ, knowing they are secure in their salvation due to God's grace, rather than their own performance. Historic Reformed theology firmly upholds this truth, opposing any notion of justification through works, thus affirming the wonderful truth of grace alone.
Ephesians 2:8-9
Why is preaching grace important for Christians?
Preaching grace is essential as it underscores the foundational belief that salvation is a free gift from God, not based on human effort.
Romans 6:1
Why is preaching grace important for Christians?
Preaching grace is essential as it reveals the heart of the gospel and transforms lives.
Moreover, grace in preaching serves to combat the natural tendencies of the human heart towards legalism and self-righteousness. When the gospel is accurately represented as one of radical grace, it challenges believers to rely not on their works but on the power and sufficiency of Christ. This liberating message fosters genuine repentance, obedience, and a love for God that is motivated by gratitude rather than obligation. Thus, the preaching of grace not only informs but transforms, enabling believers to live in the joy and freedom that comes from understanding their identity in Christ.
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? - Romans 6:1
It is true that where sin abounded grace has much more abounded; well then, "Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound yet further?" The true preaching of the gospel of salvation by grace alone always leads to the possibility of this charge being brought against it. There is no better test as to whether a man is really preaching the New Testament gospel than this, that some people might misunderstand it and mis-interpret it that it really amounts to this: that because you are saved by grace alone, it does not really matter at all WHAT you do, you can go on sinning all you like because it will redound all the more to the glory of grace. That is a very good test of gospel preaching.
If my preaching of the gospel does not expose it to that misunderstanding, then it is not the gospel. Let me show you what I mean. If a man preaches justification by works, no one would ever raise the question. If he says, "If you want to go to heaven, you must stop committing sins, live a life filled with good works, and keep this up regularly and constantly until the end, then you will be a Christian and go to heaven when you die." Obviously, no one will accuse a man who preached like this of saying, "Let us continue in sin that grace may abound." But every preacher who preached the gospel has been accused of this! They have all been accused of "antinomianism."
I would say to all preachers: IF YOUR PREACHING OF SALVATION HAS NOT BEEN MISUNDERSTOOD IN THAT WAY, THEN YOU HAD BETTER EXAMINE YOUR SERMONS AGAIN, and you had better make sure that you really ARE preaching the salvation that is proclaimed in the New Testament to the ungodly, the sinner, to those who are dead in trespasses and sins, to those who are the enemies of God. There is a kind of dangerous element about the true presentation of the doctrine of salvation.
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