1067. Is There Such a Thing as a License to Sin?

Within varying degrees of legalism found in a mixed-covenant church culture, it has been said that grace can result in a license to sin if it isn't balanced with a message of religious law and works. The concerns that grace alone will cause people to be disobedient and choose a sinful lifestyle is the equivalent of blaming Jesus for the choices people make.

Avoiding sin is good advice, we've said this for years. The foundation of the gospel is God's unchanging grace and love. It's important for us to grow in our understanding of such an abundance of this unending grace from God. It is grace that teaches us in producing a more fruitful and godly way of life by His Spirit. This is rooted in knowing we have a new heart ... and have already been declared righteous, holy, sanctified and perfected in Him.

Not everyone will instantly grasp the freedom they have in grace, and yes, some will choose to follow their own fleshly desires and make poor choices. It can result in hurting ourselves and those around us. We've seen more people go this direction due to legalistic ideologies—realizing they can't keep up with the demands, thereby giving up. But as a new creation in Christ, our heart really doesn't want to run towards sin. As Paul said, all things may be lawful, but not all things will be profitable or beneficial. Thankfully, we can live the life God desires for us in the Spirit, realizing Jesus conquered and took sin away ... and nothing will ever come between us and God. When we catch onto this, it inspires a motivation that religious activity can't match.




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1066. Our Reward Is an Unearned Inheritance

There are people who show compassion and do good things to help others. Some are Christians, others are not. Some do it from a loving heart, others do it to try to earn points with God or to be seen by others for recognition.

When abiding in grace, what is the motivation to give to others who may be in need of help? Is it based on duty and obligation? Trying to avoid guilt? Feeling required to do so? Fear of 'the principle' of sowing and reaping? Banking some sort of eternal rewards? Or does it stem from a heartfelt desire to freely do so, rooted in the love that we have received from God?

An inheritance is something gifted by one who dies. As children of God, this is what has been given to us through Christ. It's not something we earn. It is not something that will fade away based on what we do or don't do. If the inheritance is based on works, it is no longer based on a promise. (See the context around Galatians 3:18).




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1065. Talking Outside the Traditional Box About the B-I-B-L-E

Many Christians consider the Bible as a book that is their connection to God. This is understandable because people tend to desire in seeking ways to make God more tangible within their life and world. The pages are something we can touch and see. It can easily become something worshiped or considered to be our primary source and destination when it comes to knowing God. But it's all based upon how one interprets through human filters—which can constantly change.

The Bible isn't a single book, but a collection of writings authored by many people over a lengthy period of time, and came to us from many thousands of manuscripts which were copied by hand. Whether written before the cross or after, the scripts are designed to point to truth and life which are found and contained within a Person—Jesus Christ. As believers in Christ, we're not called to 'believe in the Bible.' After all, there are millions of very different perspectives, opinions, and ideologies being embraced and debated. We certainly can't believe every version of someone else's truth... because they are all over the map.

Our life and destination will not be in trying to unlock the vault to proper interpretation and understanding. Jesus sent a far more superior Guide to help us in our walk of faith as we live in the Spirit. Of course we're thankful to have access to these writings. After all, we've been referring to them on the podcast for more than a couple decades. But compared to the thousands of other religions out there, we have something that goes beyond "the book" and academics ... or theological labels. Becoming aware of the incredible view from above 30,000 feet may help from getting lost in a maze of individual verses.




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1064. The Religious Beatdown: "I Felt Worse, Like I Was Never Doing Enough"

A listener shares with us their story of spending decades in several different churches while working at being dedicated and committed to the cause. Over time, they began to struggle with depression, anxiety, guilt and shame. If it seems like there is something wrong with this picture, it's because there is ... and unfortunately, it's all too common. But we have some encouragement for those who feel trapped.




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1063. Confidence Becomes Volatile When It's Based on Behavior

Most have been subjected to religious behavioral requirements. It may be a standard you set for yourself, or it may have come from church friends or other sources. Maybe even by misunderstandings within Bible verses. If you convince yourself you're doing a 'pretty good' job of keeping up by performing enough to think of yourself as a successful doer, your 'spiritual' and emotional confidence rises. Wander from it and you might start to wonder where you stand with God—and what you need to do to get back on track.

The good news of the gospel of grace is that we can be confident and at peace ... but it's not based on our obedience or trying to be good enough with what we do. It is fully rooted in Jesus, His obedience, His blood, and a redemptive work He completed once, for all. Anything else will have the legal eagles swooping for an opportunity to bring the fish back to their nest.




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1062. The Burdensome Process of 'Surrendering' Everything to God

Many of the things we've all heard in mixed-covenant church buildings can easily result in leftovers or at least trace elements within our mindsets that we attempt to apply to the message of the gospel of grace. The result becomes a rather murky hodgepodge of inconsistency. It leaves believers in Christ wondering if they they are right with God, resulting in fear, uncertainty ... and pecks away at people who are finding peace to be somewhat elusive in their minds. Of course, most who embrace grace are not intending for this to happen ... but it does ... partly because it may ultimately have similarities to the religious talking points people have been trying to escape.

There are many perspectives, angles, Bible teachings, and opinions that can be quite different—even within circles where grace dominates. But it is not unusual to see some of the messages sliding down a slippery slope which gradually manages to put the spotlight back on us and what we do—and how well we're doing it. Am I doing enough? How do I know? Am I out of touch with God compared to others who seem so spiritual?

The focus of faith should remain on the finished work of Jesus and God's Spirit who was sent to guide us. Your identity of righteousness is contained in Him. When legalistic venues insist on our need to surrender everything to God, it will usually lack specifics on what that looks like. Religion declares we need to put our belief on display for others to see, otherwise, it may indicate something isn't real and genuine. Walking by faith and not by sight is turned completely inside out. God lives in us. He wants to express His life through us. But His fruit should not be considered synonymous with works that are performed in order to get God to respond. His response to you is firmly anchored in a Savior who established a different and much better covenant. No pressure.




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1061. Being at Peace Even When So Many Questions Remain Unanswered

We have received many inquiries from listeners over the years who are in search of answers to questions that may have them confused when it comes to things found in the Bible. This isn't exactly an exclusive club. We all would like greater clarity on many things we may not fully understand. When someone seeks input from us, a pastor, or their favorite grace teacher ... it will sometimes just lead to more questions which will result in seeking more answers—and how they compare to previously received answers from a different source.

That's the problem when there are so many different opinions, doctrines and perspectives from people who all declare the Bible as their source for truth. Grace will help us to realize we don't need to know everything or feel that we need an answer to every question. And it can result in depending more on the One who abides within ... who is more than enough to keep us at peace.




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