Amazing Grace

BY Argie Simonis

"O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been evidently set forth, crucified among you?" Gal. 3:1 

If we truly understand the message of the Cross, then we also understand Divine Grace. The sacrifice of our Jesus was not just a symbolic act. He paid for it all! There is no sacrifice we can make that will add to or replace the sacrifice of Christ. The sermon that our holiness is required to receive from God voids the sacrifice of Christ:

"I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." Gal. 2:21 

However, it is a common mistake for people who come to the Lord "as I am because God loves me and forgives me" to fall back into the delusion that they must be holy enough for the Lord to answer their prayers. This is exactly what Paul points out here.

We often extend grace to drunks or prostitutes who are not born again. We tell them about God's love and how He wants to help them. But let them be born again and then sin again, and the very people who told them how much God loved them before they were saved, are ready to stone them for the slightest transgression they will commit. This is not the true gospel. We are not saved by grace and then we are maintained by works.

"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed." Gal. 1:8 

Beware of this insidious and demonic spirit of religion! The only way to recognize and deal with it is to study and know  God's Word.

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32

Amen!