What About Works and Grace?
I'm confused
Even though I am a Christian, was raised that way and have accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior, I do not have much knowledge of the Bible. In an earlier post, I mentioned having a short attention span as well as being unable to comprehend most of what I read in the Bible, some books and newspaper articles.
Recently I have been attending Bible studies or evangelistic meetings presented by several elders and deacons from my church. They are very interesting and thought provoking; however, at times it seems as though the Bible is contradicting. I get confused over the subject of Grace and Works. It is a known fact that our sins are covered by Jesus’ (Blood) -- Grace; therefore as I understand it, we cannot be saved by our works or by trying on our own not to sin, because we are to lean totally upon Christ, but by the same token, if we do not live according to God’s will, we shall be lost. In other wards, if we blaspheme the Holy Ghost, that is an unpardonable sin, and from what I understand, to continue to ignore the his warnings to us is to blaspheme him.
Upon realizing that we have all sinned and come short of the Glory of God and we all continue to sin, are we to give up sinning on our own, and if we think we can, are we wrong? In other wards what about people who continue to commit sins knowingly because they cannot help themselves? They know that they can continue to ask for forgiveness of Christ because they are under Grace. What if they decide to give up on the sin themselves? Is that wrong or are they to depend upon the Lord’s Grace and continue sinning?
Even though I am a Christian, was raised that way and have accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior, I do not have much knowledge of the Bible. In an earlier post, I mentioned having a short attention span as well as being unable to comprehend most of what I read in the Bible, some books and newspaper articles.
Recently I have been attending Bible studies or evangelistic meetings presented by several elders and deacons from my church. They are very interesting and thought provoking; however, at times it seems as though the Bible is contradicting. I get confused over the subject of Grace and Works. It is a known fact that our sins are covered by Jesus’ (Blood) -- Grace; therefore as I understand it, we cannot be saved by our works or by trying on our own not to sin, because we are to lean totally upon Christ, but by the same token, if we do not live according to God’s will, we shall be lost. In other wards, if we blaspheme the Holy Ghost, that is an unpardonable sin, and from what I understand, to continue to ignore the his warnings to us is to blaspheme him.
Upon realizing that we have all sinned and come short of the Glory of God and we all continue to sin, are we to give up sinning on our own, and if we think we can, are we wrong? In other wards what about people who continue to commit sins knowingly because they cannot help themselves? They know that they can continue to ask for forgiveness of Christ because they are under Grace. What if they decide to give up on the sin themselves? Is that wrong or are they to depend upon the Lord’s Grace and continue sinning?
posted by The Gig at 7:42 PM
4 Comments:
Depending on God's Grace does not mean we (should) continue to sin.
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid" (Rom 6:1-2).
You have to decide to give up sin yourself - God will not force you to give it up. Instead, you choose to repent. But you ask God for the strength to overcome your weakness. However, if you do fall again and in all sincerity ask for forgiveness again, "He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins" (I John 1:9). Presumptuous sinning (sinning knowing you will ask for forgiveness) is a different story.
However, we cannot judge those who continually sin and ask forgiveness. Only God can know a person's heart and decide whether or not to forgive.
But remember that "faith without works is dead" (James 2) If you say you love me but don't show it, then do you really love me? God says the same thing.
Good questions. I just don't have any answers.
I'm gonna have to think.
I am going to speak about this in my post.
I'm with Shelly on this one. We should try not to sin, however, if we do, and repent with an honest and truthful heart, then we shall be forgiven.
But, knowing that we are forgiven when we ask for forgiveness does not make it right to go against what God tells us is wrong. We are asked to follow the rules of God, however, if we mess up, and we truly are sorry for having done so...AND...we also truly believe in our hearts, souls, and minds that the Lord is the Almighty and their is no one above Him, then yes, we shall be forgiven.
So, fear not Mz. Gig. You lead a good life. Also, it is good to question what the Bible says. So many times people don't understand. It's alright to ask and to expect an answer as well.
For if we knew everything, then we would be God. And since He is the one and only who has true knowledge of all things, then how can we be expected to know it all? That is why God gave us the ability to think and to ask for ourselves. *SMILES*
Have a blessed day Mz. Gig!!
Post a Comment
<< Home