It's important to understand what 'grace' means (and what it doesn't mean). We are unworthy recipients of the Lord's benevolence, love, and mercy ... but because of God's grace and our faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, those floodgates are open.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
The trouble is ... God's grace is often misapplied by those who would abuse the freedoms therein. When folks are rooted in religious doctrine yet fail to acknowledge and submit to the sanctifying nature of grace, they are steeped in egocentric theology.
They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. Jude 1:4
These 'pseudo' Christians have no true reverence for God and His holiness. They profess with their lips a wholehearted acceptance of His grace, but in conduct deny Him. The term 'license' refers to a blatant disregard for a life of righteousness; a notion that living under grace gives one the freedom (or even the right) to do whatever he wants. Paul warned otherwise ...
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. Galatians 5:13
Though God's grace pardons our sins through the shed blood of His Son, we live in a fallen world. The instincts and yearnings of our latent inner nature must be placed on the altar ...
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2
New believers might ask, 'If I know that I am saved by grace through faith, and my sins are forgiven, why be so concerned about obedience?' Paul admonished those who think this way ...
Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Romans 5:20, 6:1-2
Don't exploit God's grace. The liberty found in Christ is not freedom 'to' sin ... but freedom 'from' sin.
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