Because of the abuses and inaccurate representations of the teaching of true grace, I have heard many warning others, “Watch out for that dangerous grace teaching, it gives people a license to sin.”
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If you hear of any “grace” teaching that tells you it is all right to sin, to live without any regard for the Lord, and that there are no consequences to sin, my advice to you is to flee from that teaching.
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You have just been exposed to counterfeit grace. Genuine grace teaches that believers in Christ are called to live holy, blameless, and above reproach. It teaches that sin always produces destructive consequences and that it is only through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ that one can be set free from the dominion of sin. Study Titus 2:11–15:
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
The Word of God states in no uncertain terms that the grace of God teaches us to deny ungodliness and live godly lives. Therefore, watch out for counterfeit grace teachings that contradict Scripture.
So how do we know if someone is truly living under the grace of God?
We look at their lives.
If someone is leaving his wife for his secretary and tells you he is under “grace,” tell this person that he is not under grace but under deception! Go by the authority of God’s Word, not what this man says. Romans 6:14 states, “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” If this person were truly living under grace, he would not be dominated by such a sin. And no one living in sin can legitimately use grace as an excuse to sin, because it is antithetical to God’s holy Scriptures.
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Genuine grace is not a license to sin; it is the power to live above the dominion of sin. Genuine grace doesn’t compromise God’s holy standards and condone sin; it is the answer that gives people power to live glorious lives zealous for good works.
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There will always be a small number of people who are abusing grace, stirring controversy with counterfeit grace teachings, and living in ways that do not glorify the Lord. But what should our response be? Should we shy away from preaching and teaching the true grace of God because of the controversies and abuses? Certainly not. I exhort you today, with the words of Titus, to “Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.”
In other words, don’t back away from preaching the grace of God. In fact, we should be doubling down on our preaching of the genuine gospel that teaches all to “[deny] ungodliness and worldly lust” and to “live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.” The more genuine grace is preached, the more counterfeit grace teachings will be stamped out.
People may use the word grace freely, calling themselves “grace preachers” with “grace ministries” or “grace churches.” But we need to be discerning. Just because they use the word grace doesn’t mean they are accurately or truly representing the gospel of grace. Test everything! Be sure that their position against sin is clear, as sin is destructive and brings with it a whole host of damaging consequences.
