"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (I Corinthians 11:1)
The Saint Paul School
with Frank Eiklor, Eileen Young and Walter and Cecilia Contreras

THE PERVERSION OF GRACE (PART 5)
(True Grace Versus Counterfeit Grace)

Never believe the lie that God's grace is an alternative to godly living. In other words, "It doesn't matter what you do as long as you believe". To believe that line is to be no different from the devil himself, because Satan also believes in God but is lost in his evil ways.

God's true grace, His divine favor, brings conviction of sin and genuine repentance to the heart of one who sincerely seeks the Lord. That's how we know we truly belong to Him. Instead of wanting to practice sin, we find a new desire within-to obey Jesus and live lives that please Him. In other words, God's love and grace welcome me "just as I am" but then He begins the miracle of making me "just as He is"-with a new heart and new mind that are pointed toward righteousness and godliness.

We are studying how the true grace of God is presented throughout the New Testament. Today we are in 2 Corinthians. Remember, you can review previous lessons by clicking the links above or by returning to the archive.

THE BOOK OF 2 CORINTHIANS

2 CORINTHIANS 4:1,2 See how God's true mercy and grace result in a renunciation of sinful behavior.

"Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God."

2 CORINTHIANS 5:9,10,17 Christ's judgment centers on our behavior-and "new creations" obviously want to live new and righteous lives.

"Therefore we make it our aim whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold all things have become new."

2 CORINTHIANS 6:1 Here again-God's grace is in vain if it does not result in a growth in godly behavior. In some, that growth in grace may be slow-but God will not fail to help you.

"We then as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain."

2 CORINTHIANS 6:17; 7:1 Look at how God's true grace necessitates radical change.

"Therefore Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you." "Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

2 CORINTHIANS 7:10,11 Here we see that genuine repentance brings godly sorrow that results in an obedient walk.

"For godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation, not to be regretted, but the sorrow of the world produces death. For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter."

2 CORINTHIANS 8:7,21 Righteous behavior is the fruit of the "true grace of of God" that Peter taught (see 1 Peter 5:12).

"But as you abound in everything-in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us-see that you abound in this grace also. ...providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men."

2 CORINTHIANS. 10:3-6 Obedience to Christ is the beginning and ending objective of the true gospel.

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled."

2 CORINTHIANS 12:20,21 The Apostle Paul never condoned the practice of sin. Instead he rebuked it with a warning that God would not tolerate it.

"For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do now wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; and lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and licentiousness which they have practiced."

2 CORINTHIANS 13:5-7 Here we see that the Corinthians are commanded to examine themselves to see if their faith is for real. The practice of sinful behavior is the clear mark of a counterfeit Christian.