Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? (Romans 6:1, 2 NLT).
"Are you saying that since I am totally forgiven, I can just go out and do whatever I want to do?"
I have heard that question more times than I can count from listeners of our daily radio broadcast, Basic Gospel.
This question isn't new. The Apostle Paul was hit with it almost everywhere he traveled. Many today are asking the same questions. Some of the questions stem from Paul's bold claim in 1 Corinthians 6:12: "Everything is permissible to use."
As believers in Christ, we are free. We are free to submit to the desires of the flesh. But, just like Paul, we are also free to submit to the desires of the Spirit. Both are permissible. Only one is profitable.
Knowing that we are forgiven helps us choose the profitable path.
When we give in to the desires of the flesh, we put ourselves under the control of sin. For the child of God, this doesn't make sense. Paul understood that. He had had enough of being mastered by sin. He willingly submitted to the control of the Holy Spirit in order to experience love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control.
No, the truth of total forgiveness of sins does not lead to reckless living. God's love as expressed in forgiveness always leads to a life of trust and dependence upon Him.
There is nothing more profitable in life than knowing and experiencing the love of Jesus Christ. That's how you live in grace.
In Christ, you've died to sin and have been raised to walk in the newness of life. Let the truth that you are a forgiven person teach you to say "no" to sin and "yes" to Jesus Christ.
In Him,
Bob Christopher