Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 5:10-12
The True Grace of God
Intro.
1. Christians stand in the true grace of God, Rom 5:1-2; 1 Pet 5:12.
-Favor that is undeserved, yet given by God.
2. There are
false views of the
grace of God:
a. Irresistible grace, selectively applied (Calvinism).
b. Continuous cleansing (neo-Calvinism): Cleansed even as we sin.
This view of grace tends to minimize doctrinal correctness while championing
unity in doctrinal diversity. (Being applied to MDR, morality,
denominationalism…)
c. Impossibility of apostasy: A view that grace saves regardless of present sin (Gal 5:4).
d. Unity in diversity: “Grace” is extended to false teachers, people living in sin, etc. (neo-Calvinism).
3. What is the true grace of God? How does standing in grace affect our lives? Does standing in grace mean there is a “king’s x” on everything we do? Rom 6:1
4. A scriptural framework in which to understand and be blessed by the “true grace of God.”
I. THE TRUE GRACE OF GOD IS UNIVERSALLY AVAILABLE, BUT NOT UNIVERSALLY RECEIVED, Titus 2:11; Rom 5:15 (12).
II. THE TRUE GRACE OF GOD IS ACCESSED THROUGH CHRIST BY FAITH, Rom 5:1-2; Eph 2:8.
III. THE TRUE GRACE OF GOD TEACHES
US TO OBEY THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST,
Titus 2:11-12.
-cf. Noah (grace, faith, obedience),
Gen 6:8-9, 14, 22; Heb 11:7
-1 Pet 5:12: The
“true grace of God” includes instruction in personal responsibility
as we await “the revelation of Jesus Christ” when grace will “be
brought to you”, 1 Pet 1:13 (Tit
2:11-13):
-Obedience in holy, reverent living, 1:13-17.
-Abstinence from fleshly lusts,
2:11-12.
-Submitting to civil government, 2:13-17.
-Spousal responsibilities,
3:1-7.
-Putting away worldliness, 4:1-3.
-Abstaining from idolatry,
4:3.
-Fervent love for one another, 4:8.
-Hospitality, 4:9.
IV. THE TRUE GRACE OF GOD DOES NOT TOLERATE SIN, Rom 6:1-2, 15.
· Grace does not say: “you will be cleansed and saved in spite of your sin.”
· Grace calls us to repudiate and repent of sin – not let it live in us and reign over us, Rom 6:6, 10-12, 14-15.
· “What about one sin just before I die??” (Emotional argument designed to blunt the force of clear truth that sin condemns! Rom 6:23)
-Sin condemns…even one,
Mk 10:21. (Question: What sin can
you commit, be unrepentant, and still be confident of going to heaven?)
-Hypothetical “what ifs” do not justify an ongoing practice of sin
(Col 3:9).
· Grace is greater than our personal sin when we repudiate our sin by obeying the truth! 1 Jno 1:8-9 (Rom 6:1-2)
V. THE TRUE GRACE OF GOD DOES NOT ALLOW US TO MAINTAIN FELLOWSHIP WITH FALSE DOCTRINE, Heb 13:9; Gal 1:6-9; Jude 3-4; 2 Jno 9-11.
Conclusion
1. Do not be deceived by
concepts of God’s grace that overlook sin and minimize
the importance of faithful obedience and sound doctrine.
2. Acts 20:24, 32: The gospel is the
word of God’s grace.
3. In order to stand in the true grace of God one must believe and obey the gospel.