Grace: the Remedy for Accusation

11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.” Acts 15:11 NKJV

 We've begun a new series looking at a fundamental aspect of God's Grace. Grace, the Good News Gospel of Jesus brings healing and restoration and wholeness to those who receive it. Grace in its goodness never leaves us the way it finds us. 

 So far we've seen how Grace is the antidote for traditional religion. We've seen how Grace brings wholeness to the hurts. We've seen how Grace is the remedy for fear. 

 Today, I sense the leading to begin addressing this issue of the wicked cycle of defeat and anguish the enemy brings to God's people. The cycle of accusation and condemnation and shame. What may seem conspicuously absent in this cycle is "temptation." What we will soon see is sometimes the enemy doesn't even need a temptation to find a reason to bring his accusations.

 If you've been a believer for more than a month or so, the temptation scheme of the enemy is all too familiar. The enemy tempts or allures you to transgress, to commit sin, to feed your fleshly appetites. In a moment of weakness, you follow through on that temptation. Then instantly, the enemy rushes in with a host of slander and accusation. This cycle may look something like this.

The enemy, that defeated devil, tempts you "why not indulge yourself?"
 You resist. "No."
 The enemy, "Come on just one more time. What can it hurt?" 
 After considerable tempting and alluring you give in. Instantly, the enemy comes to you. "Look at you! Look at what you've done! And you call yourself a Christian? God's so mad at you! God's so disappointed in you!"

 When we give in to temptations the enemy quickly brings his accusations. This is the common expression of accusation from the enemy. As we grow in the Lord what use to trip us up doesn't trip us up any longer, so the enemy seeks other ways to tempt us. 

 This arena of accusation is where we who just blew it are in fact guilty. So what is the remedy for this type accusation? His Grace is the remedy for all accusation. Even if we are guilty of what the accusation is. 

 Are you saying, even if what you are accused of is true, that Grace is for that too? That's what's so amazing about Grace. Grace doesn't see us in our mess and just leave us there. Yes, but didn't Peter instruct us not to suffer or be reviled for wrongdoing?

 Here is the Good News. Your sin is none of the devil's business. Even when you fail, God's Grace has already addressed that sin. His shed blood has already forgiven and paid for that sin. Your sin is between God and you and no one else. If your sin affected others, follow God's love and leading and see how He would bring restoration and wholeness to all those involved. 

 When temptation arises and we fall for it and sin, this cycle of accusation and condemnation and shame will begin. What we must know Grace is there to disrupt this cycle and bring us to a place of wholeness and victory. When accusation comes, Grace reminds us of our true identity. He shows us we are better than that sin. Grace reminds us He has so much better for us in Christ. Grace makes sin less and less appealing, enabling us to walk out who we already are in Him, the righteous and holy children of God. 

We must also realize this isn't the only avenue this cycle comes into our life. I addressed the temptation and accusation issue first because it is so common. However, the other arena the enemy loves to bring his accusations is the religious traditions of men. It comes through well-meaning teachers and other believers. It comes across to us in the doctrines of old. 

 Many would be surprised to know the accusation of the enemy often comes through the mouths of other believers. Let me pause momentarily. Sometimes the accusation of the enemy can come through the voice of the World system. They slander and accuse the Church of not being loving or kind when we uphold the righteous principles God established as the Truth. 

 In times like this, respond peacefully but truthfully, in love, knowing the World system is lost and in darkness and therefore ignorant of the truth. They can't see the light because they're blinded. No need to feel condemned or shamed because of their words. Jesus wasn't always popular and we won't be either so just enjoy your life free from the opinions of worldly men.

 With that understanding, let's focus on one of the biggest areas of accusation. The mouths of the religious and their traditions. Certainly, they mean well, but the traditions of men have brought so many into a place of guilt and condemnation. 

 I heard a message preached by a well-known minister. He was passionate about raising the standard of holiness. Being honest, as believers who would want to embrace a lifestyle of sin? Remind people of who they are and whose they are. Growth will develop unlike this type of preaching which only stirs up sin.

 The minister preached we ought to begin by living out the Ten Commandments. Clearly, we can see that the spirit of religion was masking itself as the motivator of holy living and truly veiling the minister's eyes. 
14 Not only Moses’ face was veiled, but his people’s minds and understanding were veiled and blinded too. Even now when the Scripture is read it seems as though Jewish hearts and minds are covered by a thick veil, because they cannot see and understand the real meaning of the Scriptures. For this veil of misunderstanding can be removed only by believing in Christ. 15 Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings their hearts are blind and they think that obeying the Ten Commandments is the way to be saved. 2 Corinthians 3:14-15 TLB

 By promoting Law as a means to attain a more holy living your leading people astray. Paul tells us the strength of sin is the Law. Without realizing it, the message didn't bring people into a closer walk with God, it actually made them draw back. 

 Accusations come by way of traditional teaching. Its subtle words say there is something wrong with you. That God finds displeasure with you and if you just heed these words God will love you more. Staying with the truth of the New Covenant and tuning out tradition causes these accusative words to have no power over you.

 Another way this accusation finds a foothold in our thinking is when we begin creating standards to live by that God has nothing to do with. It starts with placing demands upon ourselves that God never put there. Often, these demands come when we compare ourselves to the ideal Christian.

 In reality, this phantom Christian who spends hours in prayer, and devotion, has a perfect marriage, is a perfect spouse, perfect parent and is a highly praised employee just doesn't exist. This accusation veils itself as a motivation for growth but in reality, it's designed to tear us down and get us to quit. It speaks this to us repeatedly, "I could be doing so much more."

 Here is the truth, it's already done. It is finished. What more needs to be done? Is it your sacrifices and efforts that are needed or is it Jesus' once for all sacrifice? It seems to tradition that Jesus Finished Work means nothing. That all Grace is for is to be an ability gift to fulfill all the demands tradition and self-righteous comparison brings. Resist this lie. Grace reminds you of who you are in Him. You are complete in Him. Your fulfillment is in Him. Jesus' work is enough. Rest and be who He already made you.

No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord.  Isaiah 54:17 NKJV

 In summation, understand accusation comes to all of us. Be it through our own sins or by the voice of the religious, their traditional teachings, or by comparing ourselves to others. Victory comes when we listen to what God says about us. Truth removes all error. Hear Jesus' words to you and live and abide in them;

10 Until finally, Jesus was left alone with the woman still standing there in front of him. So he stood back up and said to her, “Dear woman, where are your accusers? Is there no one here to condemn you?” 11 Looking around, she replied, “I see no one, Lord.” Jesus said, “Then I certainly don’t condemn you either. Go, and from now on, be free from a life of sin.” John 8:10-12 TPT

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Great Grace: Greater than Guilt.

33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Acts 4:33 NKJV

 We've been in an extended study of the great Grace of Father God. This isn't minuscule Grace, but great Grace. We've seen just how forgiven we are the role of confession, and distinguishing between performance and genuine faith that receives what Grace freely provided in the Finished Work.

 Today, I'd to address this issue of guilt in the life of the New Covenant believer. I also want to answer a question that torments us at times. What are we to expect concerning the troubles of our own making?

 Think of it. Most believers can accept that God will forgive us our mistakes and missteps and foul ups. Sure He will be merciful when we through deception enter in error. What if we purposefully, willfully enter into sin or misdeeds what then? Surely God won't forgive us if we willfully sin.

 I submit to you that His Grace is greater than our sins. His Grace is even greater than the trouble of our own making. 
"Hold it, brother! Hebrews 10:26-30 declared if we willfully sin, He won't forgive us!"
"How can you say His Grace is greater than willful sin?"

 If we look at Hebrews 10 in full context we see Paul saying (I believe Paul wrote Hebrews) to unsaved Jews who had heard the Word of faith, the Gospel of Jesus. He revealed that the Finished Work was the once for all sacrifice. If they wished to reject this offering, and embrace the Law and temple sacrifice, they've willfully sinned the sin of unbelief. There is no other offering accepted and so apart from Christ, their animal sacrifices wouldn't provide the forgiveness they needed.

 Where sin abounds, Grace much more abounds. Hebrews 10 isn't about believers losing their salvation. Those in Christ are forever secure in the Father's loving hand. His Grace has already forgiven all our sins in Him. Yes, even the sins of our own making.

 I know it doesn't seem fair or just. I mean why would God forgive sins that were intentionally committed? The answer is provided in James.
14-15 When a person is carried away with desire, lured by lust, and when desire becomes the focus and takes control, it gives birth to sin. When sin becomes fully grown, it produces death. James 1:14-15 Voice

 The reality is all our sins are willful, committed on purpose, and premeditated. We sin because some portion of ourselves wanted to. When we received Him, know He forgave us of all our sins, which means He forgives intentional sins. 

 Is there a Biblical illustration proving God forgives and redeems and restores people who created trouble by their own doing. Take a journey into the life of Abraham.

 Abraham was known as Abram prior to God giving him the name Abraham or father of a multitude. God made Himself known to Abram. God instructed him to leave his dwelling, all he ever knew and follow Him. 

 Shortly thereafter we see Abram involved in trouble of his own making, here. Now, what does this passage reveal? What did Abram do?

 Abram, operating in fear, allowed his wife to be given to another. We see Abram lie and say Sarai was his sister and not his wife. What was the Lord's response?

 I'm sure God said, this is your bed, you made it, you lie in it! Did God give Abram a healthy dose of guilt over his actions? Did God just let Abram suffer the consequences of his sin and not intervene?

 In the passage, we see God's hand still on Abram. He intervened so that Pharoah wouldn't take Sarai as his wife. We also see God turn the situation around and during a time of famine abundantly bless Abram. God blessed Abram and protected him because of His goodness and mercy, not Abram's.

 With God's goodness abounding surely Abram learned from the troubles he made? Surely he wouldn't ever repeat this action. Let's look at a later time in Abraham's life, here.

Greater than all guilt

 Abraham once again fouled up. He repeated the very same mistake. Surely God would've said Abraham you're one and done. I bailed you out back in Egypt. You're on your own this time. 

 Thanks be to God our Father isn't like that. Think of it, Abraham was unfaithful not trusting God. He lied, put his own needs ahead of his wife's and God still turned this situation around for his good. What a loving good Father we have.

In this account, we see another powerful truth at work. Not only does God turn this situation around, He also answers the prayer for the healing of Abimelech offered by Abraham. Think of it, after we blow it and foul up how many feel the confidence to pray for healing and expect an answer?

What are we to make of the troubles of our own doing?

 In the life of Abraham, we see illustrated clearly that God is greater than willful mistakes. He is greater than all the troubles of our own making. If He can turn it all around for our good, even when we created the mess, surely we can rest knowing He isn't holding our mistakes against us. That He is accepting of us at all times. That He remains faithful, even when we are faithless.

 Understand clearly, we as believers shouldn't pursue sin, or accept poor choices and just make excuses such as this is just the way I am. We shouldn't allow the spirit of the present age or Worldly trends to mold us or shape our thinking. Now as we make that clear, what about when we do sin? Should we be afflicted with overwhelming guilt in our thought life?

 Guilt comes with its accusing voice saying, "you've really blown it this time.""God could never use you again.""God surely won't answer that prayer." "You've let God down." Or the worst of all, "You're filthy, you're dirty, you're a failure, you have no place in God's kingdom, the plans He has for you are thwarted and nullified, and you did it!"

 I have great Grace, good news. You can't ever let God down, you're not holding Him up. When you received Jesus, He judged you not guilty. He declares you're the righteousness of God in Christ. You've not just been declared righteous because of Him taking your place, but because of the blood and the New Creation, you are actually made righteous!

 In summation, should we as believers accept guilt? Absolutely not! If we sin, we feel regret and also a realization of our newness in Christ. With the love of God having been shed abroad in our hearts, we can't take pleasure in doing wrong to others, even indirectly. This is the regret I am referring to, the change of mind saying I shouldn't have done that, that wasn't walking in the love of God. The Spirit convicts us of our righteous new nature and we again realize this behavior isn't who we are. We should never let our behavior determine who we are. Our identity in Him will eventually determine our behavior when we accept and identify with who He made us in Christ.

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Great Grace: Greatly Valued

33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Acts 4:33 NKJV






 

We've been in a study of God's great Grace over the last few months. We've seen His Grace is greater than all our failures and just how forgiven we are in Him. We have also addressed the issues of confession and repentance.

 When we address our total forgiveness in Him, It opens up more of the deep truths of our redemption in Him. One area I feel impressed to share today is our great value. Did you know just how valued you are to God?

 Look how Jesus described the World.
44 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Matthew 13:44 NKJV

 We are that hidden treasure. God made man. Man fell. God so longed for the work of redemption to reconcile back His creation. In our Father's eyes, we were so valuable He paid for us by giving His Son.

 We are precious and adored in His sight. Our Father God rejoices over us with joy. If our Father God had a refrigerator in Heaven, believe it, your picture would be on the front of it. For God so loved the World He gave His only Son.

 Now, in our own eyes, we don't always feel so valuable. We look at our sins and shortcomings. We see our mistakes and misdeeds. We see our flaws. We know the struggles, the addictions, the wrong thinking we deal with. How can we be so valuable in His eyes? 

 Traditional religion is quick to compound these thoughts of inadequacies. They see sin and the mistakes of people. They conclude we are unworthy. We are not fit to stand in the presence of the King. We are unrighteous and unholy. They will continually point this "truth" out to us.

  Think of this. When are we considered holy? When I was in  Grace-free religion, I never saw myself as holy. I knew I was righteous by faith, but holy? Come on, I was struggling with sins. How could I be holy?

 If you visit average church "anywhere USA" or across the globe, you are more than likely to see a banner, hear a song, or a sermon teaching that we must pursue holiness. The implication is we are not currently holy. It's something to attain to, it's not our current state or reality.

 As usual, religious tradition misses a key point of redemption and the very nature of God. God is Holy and Just and Good. This means sinful, unholy, unrighteous spiritually dead ones cannot stand in His presence or abide in His Heaven. So what can we do? We were lost, we had no standing. Under the Old sacrificial system, the people were covered but still unable to stand in the presence of God. What has He done in the New?

 He has remade us new and perfectly righteous and acceptable. 
4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, Ephesians 1:4 NKJV
See this in another translation
4 Long ago, even before he made the world, God chose us to be his very own through what Christ would do for us; he decided then to make us holy in his eyes, without a single fault—we who stand before him covered with his love. Ephesians 1:4 TLB

 Think of this, before we could ever stand before Him in love, we would have to be already made holy and blameless in His sight. This means the moment we got saved we became perfectly holy and acceptable to God. 

 This isn't a temporal holiness either. This isn't a holiness that once bestowed can be tarnished and made unclean by our actions. If so, then this Jesus blood and Finished Work isn't much better than the blood of bulls and goats.

 In His Finished Work, He made us holy once for all time. Because of this, we can't identify as "saved sinners" or "sinners" saved by Grace. No, we were sinners and by Grace, we received perfect salvation and were remade righteous and holy before Him in love. So reject the notion that after you're saved you're still a sinner.

 When we identify with the risen Christ and who we are in Him we will walk in victory and true freedom. Think of it, Jesus was in all points tempted as we but didn't sin, here. Now Jesus wasn't tempted with sin the verb but sin the noun. Why?

 Jesus was not born spiritually separated. He was tempted or rather proven and tested that He was pure and spotless and perfect. He had to be in order to be our perfect sacrifice for our sins. He had no sin or fallen nature. Therefore, The temptation wasn't an enticement to sin based upon a desire within. Also, Jesus didn't have a desire to commit wrong but through willpower resisted it. That isn't a true victory. True freedom is not having the desire at all. 

 30 I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me; John 14:30 NASB

 The enemy had nothing in common with Jesus, He had nothing in Him. No sin nature, no fallen state. Think of this, because of the Finished Work we also are remade new. Perfectly holy, acceptable, righteous and forgiven. Don't listen to the tradition of men that says we still possess a sin nature. We are new creations. 

 Therefore, we too can say the enemy has nothing in us. As Jesus is, so are we in this World. The risen Christ abides within us. In our perfect union with Christ, we partake of His divine nature. All the World, the flesh (old thinking from that old man), and the enemy can do is try to put something on you. Those sins and temptations aren't from the real you. You're holy and righteous. Identify with your new nature, your new right standing, and who Jesus perfectly made you and walk in victory and triumph over sin and addictions. 

 In summation, we are highly valued. He made us new and perfectly holy. See yourself as God sees you. The old has gone and the new has come. We are forever in Him, righteous and accepted and totally forgiven. God isn't mad at you or disappointed in you. You are loved and highly favored and of extreme worth and value do not let anyone take away this truth from you. 
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Understanding Grace: Does Radical Grace advocate sinful living?

18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18

 Having been in a series on the amazing grace of God, I sensed it was best to also take some time to address some "hyper-grace" myths. We rejoice in the truth. Truth dispels myths. With that let's address one of the biggest myths about radical grace.

 "Hyper-Grace gives people a license to sin." "Hyper-Grace are soft on sin." "Hyper-Grace teaches that God is ok with sin now." "Hyper-Grace advocates sinful living, people who espouse grace have secret sinful lifestyles." These accusations have been hurled upon grace teachers and those who have received the message of radical grace. Are these accusations true? 

Is Grace a license to sin? Is Grace advocating sin?

 Some would argue that knowing how forgiven we are will open the door to a life of licentiousness. This premise would have a minute amount of truth if not for one important detail. We aren't just forever forgiven sinners. That is to say, we aren't those who have experienced the removal of the disease of sin but are still spiritually dead or separated. 

 If one were simply pardoned for their bad deeds but had no heart change, certainly one could desire to return to living as they once were. However, we who have received Jesus aren't merely forgiven, sinners. We are made entirely new in Him. His very life and nature and desires indwell us. We are completely hidden in Him. 

 Does grace, therefore, give a license to sin? Does grace then advocate sin? 

11 We have cause to celebrate because the grace of God has appeared, offering the gift of salvation to all people. 12 Grace arrives with its own instruction: run away from anything that leads us away from God; abandon the lusts and passions of this world; live life now in this age with awareness and self-control, doing the right thing and keeping yourselves holy.  Titus 2:11-12

 Grace teaches us to embrace Him and who we are in Him. Therefore, Radical Grace is not for living in sin. As Joseph Prince has said, If you want to live in adultery, this message isn't for you. Of course, grace is the way to freedom but it is not the message that will soothe your conscience while you pursue sinful habits.

 Is God pleased when we sin?

 Those who have a misconception of grace may think so. (These are they that have heard a message but not had an intimate encounter with the person of grace, Jesus. Jesus is grace!)Those who oppose Radical Grace accuse us of teaching this. (These are they who trust in good works and Law and not the Finished Work.)The Word of God provides some insight on this.

30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30 

Look at this passage in the original King James Version.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30 KJV

 The Word is clear God is not pleased but grieved when we miss it. Now don't stop reading. I am not a bad news preacher. I preach the good news. Yes, it is true God is grieved when we miss it. But, it doesn't end there.

 Why is God grieved? He is grieved for several reasons. One is because we wound others by our poor choices. Another is we can sabotage areas of our lives, such as family and career and our good name. It also is a poor witness to others while living under the dominion of sin or destructive habits.

 The pain that something like infidelity brings, for example, is not worth the moments of pleasure. Defrauding an employer or others in order to gain something isn't worth the risks of possible termination of employment or legal consequences. These are severe reasons God is grieved but not the main reason.

 The biggest reason God is grieved though is because we are not identifying with who we actually are. This is why even when choices and lifestyles are mentioned we can still convey hope and the good news. Religion would have us concentrate on the actions of others. Law minded believers would demand we place harsh rules and restrictions on the Saints in order to ensure they remain pure and walk in honesty. This isn't the gospel or good news of grace.

 Radical Grace is the Good News. It is not sad or bad news. It is especially not "God is mad" news. In other words, God isn't holding your trespasses over you and reminding how wicked and sinful you are. Religious tradition creates an atmosphere of shame and condemnation. This arena causes men to sin "under the radar" if you will. 

 Read the New Covenant. Read Colossians 3, 1 Corinthians 6, Read Romans 6. Each time Paul was addressing wrong living or change, he never just said: "straighten up or you're out!" He didn't threaten their sonship in the family of God when people missed it. What did he do? He put into their remembrance who they already were in Christ. 

 This is the key to overcoming sin and temptation. When we remember we are the beloved children of God in whom He is well pleased and we are hidden in Him and made completely righteous in Him, nothing the World or the enemy offers will seem so enticing. God is always pleased with us. He isn't always pleased with our choices. But, we aren't the sum total of our actions or choices. We are who He says we are.

 One issue we see when we sin is the reaction so many of us have afterward. What do we do? We have this sense to run and hide. What do people endeavor to do when they are involved in porn or infidelity? They erase their browser history. They attempt to meet in discreet locations and lie to others to cover their tracks. They dread being found out. Why? They don't understand how loved they really are. 

18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 1 John 4:18

 Believers tend to run or shy away from the things of God when they miss it. The answer why is because they fear their sin will bring some punishment. What we must know is Jesus took our place. He took all the punishment sin brings. Sin's punishment is death. Jesus died for us. Therefore, there remains no more punishment for our sins. 

 This is good news. We don't have to fear punishment from Heaven when we miss it or blow it. I didn't say poor choices won't have corresponding consequences, but these aren't coming from God. 

 Jesus took the punishment for all sins. He took all the sins of mankind far away. The only thing standing between God and humanity is their acceptance or rejection of this free gift of grace. We abide in His perfect love for us and bear fruit as a result.

 Does Radical Grace then celebrate and endorse sin? Does Radical Grace teach God winks at sinful choices? Of course not! Radical Grace is the answer to and freedom from the dominion of sin. 

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Understanding Grace: Who judged you guilty?

18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18

 There is one thing we all have in common. All of us who have received new life in Christ have at one time or another felt the stinging accusation of the enemy. The Word of God even identifies satan as the Accuser of the Brethren. In reality all accusations against the righteous are rooted in the work of the enemy. In light of this I want to ask a question.

Where are your accusers?

 Where are your accusers? This is one of the most powerful questions the Lord Jesus Christ ever asked. I would like for you to actually grab your Bible or device where a Bible App is downloaded and follow along with me in this study today. I want to dig deep into John chapter 8 where Jesus deals with accusation against the righteous. 

2 but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. 3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. John 8:2-3
 Notice what has just happened. Jesus is teaching the Word of truth and these religious leaders bring a woman caught in sin to Him. Take note the shame they are inflicting upon this woman. They are exposing her flaws and sin for all to see. Love covers wrong, it restores, it doesn't try to expose and shame people. I've always wondered why they never brought the man with her, it takes two to commit adultery. 
 Now this woman is not a prostitute. It never states this. She was brought into the Synagogue, therefore she was an Israelite. She was under the Old Covenant. Therefore she was righteous only in the sense of the sacrificial system in place at the time. Now her choices and actions weren't in any way righteous or upright, but she was nonetheless a daughter of Abraham. 

  4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” 6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. John 8:4-6
 What are these religious types actually doing here? They are bringing accusation against Jesus. By citing the Law and asking Jesus what is your view, they were bringing a two fold accusation. 

"Do you hate the Law, Jesus? Do you disagree with Moses?" 
"Are you advocating sinful living, Jesus?"

 These religious leaders, were staring at perfection in flesh. They were conversing with the Word made flesh. Yet, they couldn't see this. Their traditions blinded them to the truth and they felt compelled to accuse the Lord Jesus Christ of hating the Law and promoting sin. 

 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. John 8:7-8 
 Jesus, perfection, the standard, reminded all of the accusers of their own faults and failures. Jesus was God in the flesh. He wrote the Law. He knew its purpose. He knew it was a perfect standard to reveal just how flawed we are in ourselves and why we need a Savior. 
 Take note what Jesus did here twice. He stooped. He stooped for this one being shamed. The one who didn't deserve it. In the original Hebrew one of the meanings of grace is to stoop. To bend in kindness for one who doesn't deserve it. 
 Jesus wanted to express grace, to show mercy. To reveal that restoration comes from His love and faithfulness. The religious tradition bound, demanded "justice". Give her what she "deserves" but not us. 

9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” 11 “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” John 8:9-11

 In light of this powerful passage of Scripture allow me to ask again, where are your accusers? Who judged you guilty? In the light of Christ's Finished Work, who can accuse you of unrighteousness?

 Who says you aren't forgiven? Traditional theology accuses us of not being forever forgiven. That our future sins are not forgiven. Traditional theology believes redemption goes something like this. You hear the gospel and you receive Jesus in your life. Your past sins up to the point of conversion are now remitted or "wiped away". From this point until you draw your last breath you must apologize and seek pardon for each and every mistake and misdeed and sin you commit.

 To accomplish this you repent and confess I did this wrong. I am wrong, and I am unworthy and unrighteous, please God forgive me and accept me back. Please don't remove my place in the Kingdom of God. After much groveling and tears and chest beating God will take you back once again, but you best quit committing this sin or His forgiveness will run out. 

 This is not the gospel. Repentance is not turning from sin to God. Repentance isn't saying I am sorry to God each time you blow it. Repentance is a change of mind. The good news is realizing only the blood remits or forgives all sin. 

 Those who have received His grace and understand the New Covenant are today dealing with the very same accusations the religious hurled at Jesus. We are accused of hating the Law and/or promoting sin. 

18 Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin. Hebrews 10:18

 We are preaching the gospel. We are proclaiming the simple truth that when we receive the Lord there is no more sacrifice or offering for sins. No confession or apology is going to forgive you. Only the Blood of Jesus forgives. This is the answer to our accusers. We are forgiven forever. 

 Does grace promote sin? Do we hate the Law? No, we just understand the purpose of the Law and we bring mercy and restoration not condemnation when addressing people's failures. Better be careful preaching this way some may say. People will get the wrong idea.

 Using this same logic, should we not teach Christ bore all our sickness and disease in the Finished Work? Will telling folk Jesus paid for all of their healing make them pursue ways to get sick or contract a disease? This is absurd.

 Grace brings growth and produces fruit. Grace doesn't promote licentiousness. One who desires to pursue his earthly unbridled passion says this. Grace doesn't teach all are saved and the place of eternal separation doesn't exist for those who reject the free gift of grace. The Universalist proclaims this. 

 Rest knowing you are righteous in Him. You are forever forgiven. No accusation the enemy may bring can remove you from the Father's hand. Even if you are engaging in sin, be it sexual sin, drunkenness, or any fault know you are still the righteousness of God. Certainly, these are unprofitable and poor choices but it doesn't change who you are. Identify with your righteous new nature and be free from these habits. Who can dare judge the righteous guilty before God? 

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Some more truth about perfecting holiness

7 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 7:1

 In the last post I shed light on a mistaken idea that holiness is something we do or something me must accomplish. This concept has brought many into a struggling and striving and efforts based relationship with God. With so much positive feedback I felt impressed to continue shedding more light on this subject.

Perfecting holiness what does this mean? How do we live this out in our everyday life? I would like to, by way of illustration, reveal how we mature into who we already are in Him. In order to grow in God and His grace we must know who we already in Him.

 Look at what the Word tells us about ourselves.
By this will of God, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all, Hebrews 10:10

For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are sanctified. Hebrews 10:14
 It is repeated for our benefit. We are made holy once for all time when we receive the free gift of grace He freely purchased for us. Does 2 Corinthians and Hebrews then contradict each other then? Of course not. 

 The religious minded won't rightly divide the Word of God, therefore they see a distinction in Corinthians and Hebrews. The insecure and religious minded see us set apart only in the sense that we are saved not lost. Now we must work and strive to attain a state of being called holiness. 

 Hebrews 10 makes it plain. You who have received the Lord are perfectly made holy once for all time. It is who you already are. To perfect holiness is to simply mature into who you've been made already. The truth is there is no progressive sanctification. Jesus did a complete work. He finished it. He didn't say to be continued throughout your life based upon your efforts. 

 There is however, a progressive maturity into who we already are. 
6 My prayer is that our fellowship with you as believers will bring about a deeper understanding of every blessing which we have in our life in union with Christ Philemon 6
 I would like to now illustrate how this looks in our life. How we overcome habits and addictions to be who we are in Him. We will look at the life of two believers. Jack and Jill. Going uphill is the way many see perfecting holiness.

Who do you run to?

 Jack and Jill are believers in Christ. Jack secretly struggles with pornography addiction. Jill secretly struggles with bitterness. The question is who do they run to when they give in to addictions and habit?

Running to the Law

 Jack just gave into his addiction. He feels terrible. Jack runs to the Law. He pours over the Bible for the "thou shalt nots". He confesses this sin in order to be forgiven at least five times. He begins a more hardened regimen of looking to the Law to perfect him. 
 Jill has just had another episode of being bitter because someone else got that promotion. She goes to the Law and sees her faults and feels condemnation. She feels guilt will motivate her to overcome this habit. Both Jack and Jill eventually burn out trying to measure up to the standard of Law.

Running to hyper holiness, rules over relationship 

Again Jack has fallen and given into his addiction. He runs to hyper holiness. He knows he must do something. He must work and strive harder to achieve holiness. So Jack gives away his computer. He turns off cable and gets rid of his smart phone. He has removed the means to fulfill his addiction, yet the desire is still present. When Jack is out of town on business he is overcome by temptation and views porn on the motel TV. He vows to work harder.

 Jill has another episode of being bitter. Her bitterness over situations makes her unpleasant to be around at times. She realizes this and runs to rules looking for a strategy. Jill, begins to smile more and through hard work makes herself say nice things. She refuses to have an opinion. All the while inwardly she struggles with bitterness. 

Running to Jesus and His grace

 Jack has fallen again. Jack is fed up with addiction ruling his life. He runs to the Lord. Jesus reveals to Him he is the righteousness of God regardless of his actions. The Spirit reminds him continually, especially when temptation arises, that Jesus has so much better for him. Jack sees Jesus as He is now. He is not struggling with porn. Jack begins to identify with Jesus. He begins to identify with who God already made him. That addiction falls away and Jack is living free. He is maturing into who he already is.

 Jill runs to God to remove this bitterness within. God reveals how much He loves her. He shows how special and righteous she is. He pours His love to overflow in her heart. She realizing how much she is loved and how much she has been forgiven exudes that love to others now. She sees grace as the supply and rules and Law as demanding but not equipping. 

 This is maturing in Christ. The Law only reveals our inability. Rules over relationship is what the religious minded desire. Just give me a set of rules and I can function better. That is not relationship. In grace we have a living, active relationship with our Daddy God. His love within reveals how we should conduct ourselves.  

 This is the truth about perfecting holiness. It is a maturing into who we are inwardly. It is not a strenuous effort either. It is a joyous and exciting life. Aren't you tired and worn out trying to earn and achieve a state of perceived perfection? Let grace take you up and let go of Law and performance. You are accepted and loved by Daddy God. By acknowledging all we have and who we are in Christ we grow up in grace. 

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