"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ"  I Corinthians 11:1

The St. Paul School
with Frank Eiklor, Eileen Young and Walter and Cecilia Contreras

THE PERVERSION OF GRACE (PART 1)
(True Grace Versus Counterfeit Grace)

INTRODUCTION

How wonderful to know we are saved by grace through faith and not by our works. So we have nothing to boast about-except to boast about our powerful and precious Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:8,9; Galatians 6:14)

But then what? God's grace and God's power are supposed to turn us into new creations

(2 Corinthians 5:17). Instead, "grace" is often used as an excuse to sin: "God understands why I sin but His grace is so wonderful." Such a statement is a deception-and such a life is one that is deceived.

Where has righteous behavior gone?! Scripture is clear. Divine grace is not an alternative to godly behavior-but the means to godly living. Yet much of Christianity today does not insist on righteous behavior as essential to salvation. There is a false message today-the grace of "forgiveness" that requires no "repentance". It is what a dear friend of mine has called "lawless grace: the mocking of God".

This "cheap grace" concept had already entered the New Testament Church but it would not be tolerated. That's why Peter stressed "the true grace of God" in 1 Peter 5:12 while Jude devoted his brief epistle to exposing "ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness 'pervert the grace of our God into lawlessness, wantonness and immorality'". (Jude verse 4, Amplified Bible)

Don't let such false teaching about "false grace" infect your life. God accepts me "just as I am"-but then "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27) goes to work to change and transform you and me into His image. The following study will take us through the New Testament to see how God's grace (favor) leads us to repentance for our sins and faith in the finished work of Jesus.

We have already covered the gospels in previous lessons. Please review these lessons from Matthew through John. You can find them on our website: www.shalomworldwide.org under the School of Leadership, Lessons 14 Parts 1 and 2.

Now we will start in the Book of Acts and continue through Revelation in our live-changing study of "true grace" that leads to righteous behavior, versus "false grace" that excuses sin and requires no repentance.

THE BOOK OF ACTS

Note all the following scriptures that require repentance that produces a changed life.

Acts 2:38 True repentance must precede baptism.

Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Acts 3:19 Repentance is essential to conversion.

"Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord."

Acts 5:31 The spirit of repentance is a gift from God and precedes forgiveness.

"Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins."

Acts 11:18 "Repentance unto life" clearly implies having sorrow for sin.

When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life."

Acts 14: 15 Note God's clear call to repent (in military terms "About Face" - "turn from these vanities".

And saying, "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you and preach to you that you should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them."

Acts 17:30 When God commands repentance from "all men everywhere", there is no place to hide or excuse sin.

"Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent."

Acts 20:21 Repentance and faith work together to bring true salvation - repentance toward the one offended (God) and faith in the only Redeemer (Christ).

Testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 24:24,25 Paul's preaching always included faith and obedience in God's plan of salvation. Like Jesus, Paul never allowed for "easy belie-vism" (head belief in Christ; heart and life denial of Christ).

And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you."

Acts 26:19,20 God's true grace always leads to repentance, faith and obedience.

"Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. But declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance."

To continue with part 2 of this study, click here!