"Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid!" says the apostle Paul.(Romans 6:2)
Sinners are justified before God through the imputed righteousness of God's appointed Substitute, the Lord Jesus Christ. They are justified by grace, through faith in Him, fully, freely and forever. Nothing can change nor alter their legal and just standing before God, nor separate them from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:28-39). When God saves a sinner, that sinner has been saved, is being saved, and shall be brought, by the sovereign purpose, power and grace of God into everlasting glory, there to dwell with his Redeemer, world without end. Such is the clear teaching of the Word of God.
Thus we often hear preachers say, "Nothing we ever do can alter this blessed relationship with our God," and this is true. However, it must be clearly and continually stated that, what we do, as professors, is a pretty good indicator of what our relationship with God truly is; that is, whether we are truly justified and reconciled unto God or deceived by Satan and his preachers. Yes, my friends, how we talk, what we do, and how we live before men most certainly manifests who our master really is and who we really serve. "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness" (Romans 6). I am not talking about perfection but about direction.
"God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered unto you. Being then made free from sin (dominion and servitude), ye became the servants of righteousness" (Romans 6:17,18). And "ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life" (Romans 6:22). "Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid!" "GOD FORBID!"
"Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay:
Mould me and make me, After Thy will,
While I am waiting, Yielded and still."?
Maurice Montgomery
