2007-07-21 - Grace Cannot Increase

Romans 6:1, 2, "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?"

We hear these verses quoted from time to time. It is fairly straightforward, and maybe that is one reason why we don't tend to dig deep into the meaning of what is being said here. I would like to suggest that those who continue in sin, that grace may increase, are first guilty of idolatry, placing their sin as more worthy than honoring Christ. But also, I would like to go further and say that those who sin that grace may increase, or sin because they "know" they are forgiven in Christ anyway, actually make Jesus Christ a minister of sin.

To present ourselves as followers of Christ, saying we are delivered and Christ has taken our guilt - and yet continue in sin - is to do worse than cheapen the grace of Christ. It is to make the grace of Christ an impetus to sin itself. It is to make the mercy, made available by the Son of God's bloody death for sin on the cross, to be something that leads someone into the very sins He died for. Surely we must not sin that grace may increase. Christ can not be the one who leads us into more sin.

Those who dive into sin, and excuse themselves their "little" indiscretions with the proud, spoken or unspoken thought that all is well since the blood of Jesus "covers a multitude of sins," behave presumptuously. They cheapen the grace of Christ, or even worse, presume upon it while they are boldly doing the very things that put the nails into his hands and feet. It is a counterfeit piety that claims the grace of Christ while forsaking Him.

Let us take this last reelection to heart: Though men and women may deceive each other with appearances of devotion to Christ, they cannot deceive the Lord, who knows their hearts.

"If thou wilt fly from God, the devil will lend thee both spurs and a horse." Thomas Adams

Soli Deo Gloria,
T-

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