A Reflection On Grace

When I am tempted to view God’s favor cheaply

The apostle Paul asked this question: If all of our sins, present and future, are covered by the sacrifice of Jesus, should we keep on sinning? If none of this gospel is based on merit, should we just give up trying to behave ourselves? The answer to this question, according to Paul, is a horrified “Of course not!” Paul is clear on one thing we frequently forget: we did not simply sign a contract for our salvation; we exchanged lives with a Redeemer. He took our sinful selves into the grave with Him and brought us a resurrected life instead. And that life can never be comfortable with sin. Never.

If you view your salvation as a life-exchange rather than as a contractual agreement, then the very thought of sin will seem ludicrous. Yes, there will still be struggles, but not from any attempt to justify disobedience. The struggle will be only with the power of the flesh, which Jesus is ready and willing to subdue. With that kind of Savior, is there any reason at all to go on sinning?

Should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not!

Romans 6:1-2