For 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 age, while we wait for the blessed Hope the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Titus 2:11-14 (NIV)
There is so much confusion in our present time. People are confused about all kinds of things, and one major thing the Church can help make clear is what is grace, and what is salvation.
Stop saying that you are saved by grace if you are living under the control of the same sins as before you claimed you were saved. You should instead say you are saved by mercy, which is not a real salvation.
If you were truly saved by grace, which causes you to be born again, you would be living free of the control of sin. Grace by definition is the power through God to do the will of God. Truth is, if you are not born again, there’s a very good chance you are not “saved.” You are only living a life that is frustrating and testing the mercy of God.
Jesus’ work on the Cross deserves more than a weak and powerless grace teaching from the Church. Jesus died to redeemed and purify us. Redemption and purification must be taught as connected and happening together.
Even though the lost and rebellious against God only like the redemption and not the purification part, both must be preached and taught, otherwise the Church is preaching only a half truth, which is a false Gospel of grace.
If you claim to be “saved by grace” the by Paul’s definition, you should be “eager to do what is good.” Not perfect, but at least eager. If there is no eager desire for good, there is no redemption, and that means no salvation.
How very sad for someone to believe they are saved, to live and die under the control of sin, only to find out on Judgment Day they were never redeemed.
Preach the truth, proclaim the Gospel and interceded with prayer for the lost.
Tony Nobles Ministry 