Misusing Grace

MISUSING GRACE?

Do not let sin reign in your mortal body (V.12)

Romans 6:1-14

Reading

Paul said in Romans 5:20, “Where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” It’s a wonderful truth which means that no matter how big or bad our sins are, God’s grace and love is even bigger. He will always forgive us in Jesus. 

But the biblical writer Jude warned that it is possible to “[change] the grace of our God into a licence for immorality” (JUDE 4). Why bother being good at all if you know you will be forgiven? 

In Romans 6, Paul spoke about this dangerous attitude we can have: “Shall we go on sinning, so that grace may increase?” He gave a short, explosive answer: “By no means!” (VV.1-2). Then he used this powerful image of life and death to make his point: “We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” (V.2). None of us who have been given new life with Jesus should want to go back to our old life of sin. 

The problem is that sin can look like so much fun. Paul understood this, so he wrote, “Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires” (VV.11-12). 

Our focus needs to be on Jesus; who He is and all that He has done. As we get to know Him and His love and grace better, we’ll want to share it, not misuse it.

GOD’S GRACE IS NOT AN EXCUSE TO LIVE FOR OURSELVES.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries