Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 5:10-12

The True Grace of God

Intro.

1. Christians stand in the true grace of God, Rom 5:1-2; 1 Pet 5:12.

-Favor that is undeserved, yet given by God.

2. There are false views of the grace of God:
a. Irresistible grace, selectively applied (Calvinism).
b. Continuous cleansing (neo-Calvinism): Cleansed even as we sin. This view of grace tends to minimize doctrinal correctness while championing unity in doctrinal diversity. (Being applied to MDR, morality, denominationalism…)

c. Impossibility of apostasy: A view that grace saves regardless of present sin (Gal 5:4).

d. Unity in diversity: “Grace” is extended to false teachers, people living in sin, etc. (neo-Calvinism).

3. What is the true grace of God? How does standing in grace affect our lives? Does standing in grace mean there is a “king’s x” on everything we do? Rom 6:1

4. A scriptural framework in which to understand and be blessed by the “true grace of God.”

I. THE TRUE GRACE OF GOD IS UNIVERSALLY AVAILABLE, BUT NOT UNIVERSALLY RECEIVED, Titus 2:11; Rom 5:15 (12).

II. THE TRUE GRACE OF GOD IS ACCESSED THROUGH CHRIST BY FAITH, Rom 5:1-2; Eph 2:8.

III. THE TRUE GRACE OF GOD TEACHES US TO OBEY THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, Titus 2:11-12.
-cf. Noah (grace, faith, obedience), Gen 6:8-9, 14, 22; Heb 11:7
-1 Pet 5:12: The “true grace of God” includes instruction in personal responsibility as we await “the revelation of Jesus Christ” when grace will “be brought to you”, 1 Pet 1:13 (Tit 2:11-13):

-Obedience in holy, reverent living, 1:13-17.

-Abstinence from fleshly lusts, 2:11-12.
-Submitting to civil government, 2:13-17.

-Spousal responsibilities, 3:1-7.
-Putting away worldliness, 4:1-3.

-Abstaining from idolatry, 4:3.
-Fervent love for one another, 4:8.

-Hospitality, 4:9.

IV. THE TRUE GRACE OF GOD DOES NOT TOLERATE SIN, Rom 6:1-2, 15.

· Grace does not say: “you will be cleansed and saved in spite of your sin.”

· Grace calls us to repudiate and repent of sin – not let it live in us and reign over us, Rom 6:6, 10-12, 14-15.

· “What about one sin just before I die??” (Emotional argument designed to blunt the force of clear truth that sin condemns! Rom 6:23)

-Sin condemns…even one, Mk 10:21. (Question: What sin can you commit, be unrepentant, and still be confident of going to heaven?)
-Hypothetical “what ifs” do not justify an ongoing practice of sin (Col 3:9).

· Grace is greater than our personal sin when we repudiate our sin by obeying the truth! 1 Jno 1:8-9 (Rom 6:1-2)

V. THE TRUE GRACE OF GOD DOES NOT ALLOW US TO MAINTAIN FELLOWSHIP WITH FALSE DOCTRINE, Heb 13:9; Gal 1:6-9; Jude 3-4; 2 Jno 9-11.

Conclusion

1. Do not be deceived by concepts of God’s grace that overlook sin and minimize the importance of faithful obedience and sound doctrine.
2. Acts 20:24, 32: The gospel is the word of God’s grace.

3. In order to stand in the true grace of God one must believe and obey the gospel.