"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 3)
True Grace Versus Counterfeit Grace)

Click these links to study or review part 1or part 2 of this study!

INTRODUCTION

John the Baptist preached repentance for sin. The Son of God preached the same message. So did Peter, Paul, John and James. Try telling James "Yes, I practice certain sins but I believe in God" and he would have answered "the devils also believe, and tremble" (James 2:19)

All true past revivals were marked by one great sign that changed whole societies-repentance for sin and a holy awe and reverence for God. Do we want revival in our time? Then we must get back to the biblical foundation of responding to the grace of God through repentance and faith. Let's continue going through the New Testament. We're in the book of Romans.

ROMANS

Romans 9:30-32 There is no glorying in the flesh. We are lost without Christ. But when Jesus said "It is finished" He opened the door to His imputed righteousness. And the righteousness of Christ always leads us to righteous behavior. Note in these scriptures: one succeeds through God's enablement while the other crashes through mere human effort and powerlessness.

"What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone."

Romans 12:1, 2 A "transformed mind" obviously equals righteous behavior. And this godly living is seen in 12:6-21.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

Romans 13:8-14 Here is more of the godly behavior that is produced through the grace of God and "Christ in you". Read carefully each verse.

Romans 14:17, 18 All who are part of the "kingdom of God" receive His righteousness, peace and joy. That identity results in new creatures living new and righteous lives.

"for the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men."

Romans 15:18 Once again, Gentile obedience means righteous behavior in word and action.

"For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient."

Romans Chapter 16 This entire chapter speaks of godly living with emphasis on the word "your obedience" (v19) and "obedience of faith" (v26).

So ends the book of Romans with its emphasis on true grace that works in us true repentance and faith. All of this is God's free gift of justification through Christ that carries true believers into lives of obedience and righteous behavior.

Check out your own heart before the Lord. Make confession where necessary. Then ask Him to be your first love and make you an example of a godly life.

continue with part 4 of this lesson