Grace and the Helmet of Salvation
The
grace and salvation we receive at conversion is a doorway to a new life, but
it is not always viewed that way. The Romans had heard the Gospel message
and came to the conclusion that since they were now under grace, they should
sin all the more, so that grace might increase. Paul replied in Romans 6:2
by saying: " God forbid! How can we who are dead to sin continue living in
it?" They tried to use the grace of God as an excuse for sin, but it is
precisely because of the grace of God that sin should not have dominion over
us (Romans 6:14).
One commentary noted
that "in every generation, people claiming to be justified by faith have
behaved in such a way as to lend colour to this charge" (Tyndale 127).
This problem is often
perpetuated by people who make up their own definition of grace. Their
definition may sound beautiful - it may even seem to exalt the Lord - but it
is a deception, nonetheless. This is a sad state of affairs, but we
shouldn't be surprised or caught off guard by it, as Jude saw this and wrote
with great urgency and conviction:
"I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once and for all entrusted to the saints. For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are Godless men who change the grace of God into a licence for immorality and deny Jesus Christ, our only sovereign Lord." Jude 1:3-4
The Effects of Grace
Titus 2:11-12 teaches
about the grace of God:
"The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled , upright, and Godly lives in this present evil age."
This is what the grace
of God does in our lives. Through grace, God fills our hearts with love and
teaches us to live Godly lives in this evil world. Yet many want to use
grace as a cloak to hide behind. Often people want others to be accepted
without requiring true faith and real repentance. For example, I grew up in
a church where Deacons would get drunk at weddings held in the church. I
grew up not knowing that there was anything wrong with premarital sex. I
went to church regularly and even took Bible classes, but I didn't know the
grace of Christ - a tragedy that surpasses any written by Shakespeare. It
should cause one to ask if they have really received the grace of God, or
merely an excuse. All an excuse can do is to ease a sin-stained conscience.
Similarly, narcotics might make a person feel better, but they don't solve
problems; they only make them worse. As drugs are to an addict, so cheap
grace is to a false convert. Cheap grace might make you feel better, but it
can never make you right with God; it can never compare with a clean heart.
Knowledge and the Belt of Truth
First John was written
to a church infiltrated by Gnostics who had devised an elaborate philosophy
to justify their behaviour. The Gnostics believed special knowledge was
required for salvation, and once possessed, obedience was deemed
unnecessary. To this John asserts over and over that if we love and know
God, we'll obey him. In their false attempt at exalting knowledge, they
succeeded in twisting the Truth. The belt of truth is meant to be a part of
our armor; not just a trophy on the shelf. Today the Gnostic faith is
officially dead, but the underlying tendency is still with us. Charles
Finney saw this and declared:
"The church is mighty orthodox in notions, but very heretical in practice; but the time must come when the church will be just as vigilant in guarding orthodoxy in practice, as orthodoxy in doctrine, and just as prompt to turn out heretics in practice, as heretics who corrupt the doctrines of the Gospel. In fact, it is vastly more important . . . heresy in practice is proof conclusive of heresy in sentiment." (Revival Lectures ch. 19)
Liberty and the Breastplate of Righteousness
The
Corinthians seemed to have a false idea about the liberty possessed in
Christ. In examining chapters five and six, it is apparent that they had a
warped view of tolerance, and were even proud and boasted in the sin which
they allowed in their midst. Paul was tremendously concerned as he clearly
saw the high walls which they were locked behind.
A Freudian
psychologist would have called their rationalization a defense mechanism,
but Paul saw that it resulted in them surrendering their real defense: the
breast plate of righteousness. He wrote a severe and sorrowful letter
referred to in II Corinthians 2:4, followed by a painful visit. Only after
that was he able to write II Corinthians, joyfully acknowledging their
repentance.
The Shield of Faith
James
wrote to the twelve tribes of Israel, some of whom had used faith as an
excuse, stating that since they had faith, they didn't have to do any works.
James responded emphatically, saying that faith without the fruit of good
works is dead; it can't save (James 2 14-25). James was addressing people
who - while talking of faith - refused to even take up the shield at all.
People
sometimes try to pit James against Paul, but this we cannot do. The faith
Paul spoke of is the same, in that it produces obedience: "We continually
remember before our God your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by
love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord" (Paul ,to the
Thesalonians 1:3). This is the natural result of faith: committed belief in
a loving God produces loving people.
