Grace teaches us to say no to sin and to live righteous upright lives.
How?
What teaching method does Grace use to impart this valuable lesson?
My thoughts on this are not perfectly clear. This post is an opportunity for us to think out loud together on the answer to this question.
Here is what I have noticed happening in my life.
My view on sin has changed. Grace has peeled back the layers to show sin in a different light.
Sin is the opposite of love. Sin carries with it consequences that do harm to others. Sin hurts people.
When I sin I miss the mark of love. I’ve seen my sin cause pain and hurt and sorrow in the lives of other people.
That is a terrible thing to see.
Under grace sin is more than just a violation of law. Gratifying the flesh is no longer just a decision of should I or should I not or can I get away with it.
Grace lifts my eyes so that I see that my decisions do affect others. Then it reminds me to abide in Christ, to trust and rely on Him to live his life through me.
How has the grace of God been teaching you to say no to sin?
By the way, we couldn’t ask for a better teacher.
I suppose my take might be a different look that what’s been posted. Bob, you asked:
One of the methods the Holy Spirit uses to teach us (Grace being simultaneous with Jesus and the Holy Spirit) is consistency. If something is not of love yesterday, it’s probably not of love today. In my own life, as I grow in grace, especially in my job, I’m learning to hear the Holy Spirit that keeps me in line. I can’t hold my tongue, keep my temper, and not explode. Even when students and or parents get on my last nerve, the Holy Spirit doesn’t leave me alone. Seconds before I explode, the HS asks, “If this the response of love?”
Like I say, this might be something totally different than what you were looking for, but Grace teaching me, helps me teach my students; as well as showing them the love of Jesus.
Thank you for your wonderful program it is obvoius that you all overflow with the love of God. I have noticed a heavy leaning on the term “learning” grace is not a learning process, it is the unconditional love of God experienced (unconditional is a hard concept for us to fully crasp). keep in mind that our sin is no longer seen by God. but when we do faulter God’s focus is on comfort and reasurance. under law you are punished for the “transgression” but under grace you get a hug and are comforted. we are not punished for our sins, but by our sins. sin hurts us and anyone involved. it isn’t in us to stop sinning, but with Jesus living in us and the love of God lavished on us, we grow to become like He is.
David Lee
“You ask what teaching method does Grace use to impart this valuable lesson” Bob I truly believe one of the methods is the ministry of People to People. You guys have taught me the meaning of so many words and phrases that I never really understood. From my early years I knew the words like sin, grace, forgiveness, judgement and born again but I never knew how to apply them to my life with understanding. There have been so many misleading preachers and teachers in my life it is a shame. I thank God for the day I found this radio station. I have learned exactly what Grace is and how God intended for it to work in my life and it is working, now that I understanding….Sin no longer has dominion over my life..Thanks for all of you at People to people.
In addition to all the wonderful comments above, I would like to add the following:
1Corinthians 15:56 “…the power of sin is the law.”
If you are under the law then you are under the power of sin. God’s grace teaches us to say no to sin by releasing us from the law and thus releasing us from the power of sin.
Romans 6:14 “For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.”
If you are under law, according to this verse, then sin is your master. If you are under grace, then you are not under law and sin has no power over you.
As one is taught this truth from God, he is set free. Many Christians still fear that God is counting their sins against them, thus they try very hard not to sin. This is where sin gets it power over you. Your efforts, through your own energy, to make yourself righteous rather than walking by faith that Christ has already made you righteous, forever, is putting yourself under the power of sin.
Romans 10:4 “Christ is THE END OF THE LAW so that there may be righteousness for EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES.”
So if you believe, then you are righteous.
Believe it and praise God!
Yes and “FAITH” must become a way of life!!!
I agree.1co15:55 says death no longer has a sting.Is it because the stinger was removed by fulfillment of the law of sin and death by Christ and not us?Sin no longer produces death.All the sin that was ever “produced” was dealt with through Christ (death).Verse 56…He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ
That’s right, sin can no longer result in death for those in Christ. It is this knowledge that minimizes sin in the life of a believer. Rather than worrying about your behavior and whether or not you are sinning, which puts you under the power of sin, you live in confidence in the work of Christ Jesus, that God does not count your sins against you.
Romans 7:4-6 “So, My brothers, you also DIED TO THE LAW through the body of Christ, that you may belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might BEAR FRUIT TO GOD.For when WE WERE CONTROLLED by the sinful nature, , the sinful passions aroused BY THE LAW were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death. But now, by DYING to what once bound us, we have been RELEASED FROM THE LAW so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.”
How has the grace of God been teaching me to say no to sin?…
I’ve been pondering this, and remembering how God has been changing me.
Basically, I think it’s that I see myself differently – in fact ‘I’ am getting less and less important!
I don’t think it’s that I’m NOT important at all, I am actually loved and accepted and worth dying for! But I see that my SELF is learning to die, as Jesus in me is becoming more real and alive to me.
When My behaviour stinks, I see myself as that ‘wretched man’ Paul talks about, and I know I really want to change!
I think this is the beginning. Wanting to change seems to teach us that the only way to do it for good, is to depend on Him to transform us, as we renew our minds in His Truth/His Word.
I first heard this teaching through this ministry, and although it took me years to believe it, eventually my pride had to go, and my life has truly changed.
I hope the same for us all x
Kim I agree 100%, this was the same for me……