In its clearest form, Faith follows death to self, and is a total sellout to Jesus as Lord. When that happens, our obedience is organic. In true conversions, the questions about whether or not we will obey our Lord become irrelevant. That is what I think Paul is saying in Romans six and verse one --- I think he is saying that asking "shall we continue and sin that grace may abound?" means we are asking an illegitimate question which does not comprehend the meaning of True faith.
David ... I love that ... very well said about obedience being organic. It is the natural result of a relationship with Christ. No true disciple would ever discourage or minimize obedience to our Lord.
A conversation about God’s freely redeeming grace…
It began with this comment from one of the shepherds in a nearby church.
“Yes, but don’t overlook the other witness! If you love me you will keep my commandments. Remember that two witnesses are required to prove a point.”
My reply:
This is a bit long, but you asked for some balance to the idea of God’s unconditionally forgiving love.
It's true that experiencing the blessings of obedience must naturally begin with obedience--repent and receive the blessings that naturally follow from sowing to the Spirit. But redeeming grace, if it is to really be grace, must be given before obedience. If grace were given only after our obedience, it would be based on works that we consciously (or subconsciously) must interpret as meritorious. Too many of our people, without saying so, look at it in just that way. That misconception changes and can nearly destroy our relationship with God.
I am convinced that the only way to correct this debilitating misconception is by understanding that, in God's sight, everyone's sins were remitted when Jesus' blood was poured out (Mt 26:28, Eph 1:7, Rev 1:5), so that the remission of sins we receive (not achieve) in baptism is a cleansing of our own conscience. We cannot get forgiveness in exchange for our obedience if God forgave everyone before anyone obeyed.
There's no question that this is the case. Jesus purified humanity before he sat down at God's right hand (Heb 1:3). That we get the benefit of his obedience is grace that has been given to us all even before we get the blessings attending our own obedience.
So, you may say, "Why bother to obey at all, if God already forgives us?" The answer is simple. Sin is bad for us and unacceptable to God. It is against God's loving nature and corrupts His created order. In Christ, God did NOT reconcile Himself to sin, but sinners to Himself based on Christ’s obedience representing us all in God's presence.
Yes, God always loves and forgives us, but we don't always know it, and we can be self-separated from God. Since God operates in an unforced way, being with God awaits reconciliation with God in our own hearts and minds. That ends our own alienation towards God (2 Cor 5:19-21, Col 1:21). Then, and only then, by coming to know God, love God, and wanting for ourselves what God wants for us (Mt 3:21, Jn 17:3) are we ready to enter the kingdom of heaven and can begin living into eternal life.
And, by the way, that the Holy Spirit is given to those who are obedient (Ac 5:32) explains how they become obedient, NOT why they are given the gift. If people were given the Holy Spirit for being obedient, He wouldn't be a gift. Their obedience is the evidence that they do have the Holy Spirit.
“and you will receive the GIFT of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38 NASB2020)
“And I will put My Spirit within you and bring it about that you walk in My statutes, and are careful and follow My ordinances.” (Ezekiel 36:27 NASB2020)
The indwelling Spirit "brings about" a life of obedience. Obedience does not bring about having the Spirit. If it did, having the Spirit would not be received as a gift but earned by our works.
Another great post brother. Just when I thought you couldn’t possibly speak anymore about Grace you blew me away. God bless. I love your new theme for the year. Mine is Fix your eyes on Jesus.
This article is very good.
In its clearest form, Faith follows death to self, and is a total sellout to Jesus as Lord. When that happens, our obedience is organic. In true conversions, the questions about whether or not we will obey our Lord become irrelevant. That is what I think Paul is saying in Romans six and verse one --- I think he is saying that asking "shall we continue and sin that grace may abound?" means we are asking an illegitimate question which does not comprehend the meaning of True faith.
David ... I love that ... very well said about obedience being organic. It is the natural result of a relationship with Christ. No true disciple would ever discourage or minimize obedience to our Lord.
This reminds me of a conversation I recently had…
A conversation about God’s freely redeeming grace…
It began with this comment from one of the shepherds in a nearby church.
“Yes, but don’t overlook the other witness! If you love me you will keep my commandments. Remember that two witnesses are required to prove a point.”
My reply:
This is a bit long, but you asked for some balance to the idea of God’s unconditionally forgiving love.
It's true that experiencing the blessings of obedience must naturally begin with obedience--repent and receive the blessings that naturally follow from sowing to the Spirit. But redeeming grace, if it is to really be grace, must be given before obedience. If grace were given only after our obedience, it would be based on works that we consciously (or subconsciously) must interpret as meritorious. Too many of our people, without saying so, look at it in just that way. That misconception changes and can nearly destroy our relationship with God.
I am convinced that the only way to correct this debilitating misconception is by understanding that, in God's sight, everyone's sins were remitted when Jesus' blood was poured out (Mt 26:28, Eph 1:7, Rev 1:5), so that the remission of sins we receive (not achieve) in baptism is a cleansing of our own conscience. We cannot get forgiveness in exchange for our obedience if God forgave everyone before anyone obeyed.
There's no question that this is the case. Jesus purified humanity before he sat down at God's right hand (Heb 1:3). That we get the benefit of his obedience is grace that has been given to us all even before we get the blessings attending our own obedience.
So, you may say, "Why bother to obey at all, if God already forgives us?" The answer is simple. Sin is bad for us and unacceptable to God. It is against God's loving nature and corrupts His created order. In Christ, God did NOT reconcile Himself to sin, but sinners to Himself based on Christ’s obedience representing us all in God's presence.
Yes, God always loves and forgives us, but we don't always know it, and we can be self-separated from God. Since God operates in an unforced way, being with God awaits reconciliation with God in our own hearts and minds. That ends our own alienation towards God (2 Cor 5:19-21, Col 1:21). Then, and only then, by coming to know God, love God, and wanting for ourselves what God wants for us (Mt 3:21, Jn 17:3) are we ready to enter the kingdom of heaven and can begin living into eternal life.
And, by the way, that the Holy Spirit is given to those who are obedient (Ac 5:32) explains how they become obedient, NOT why they are given the gift. If people were given the Holy Spirit for being obedient, He wouldn't be a gift. Their obedience is the evidence that they do have the Holy Spirit.
“and you will receive the GIFT of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38 NASB2020)
“And I will put My Spirit within you and bring it about that you walk in My statutes, and are careful and follow My ordinances.” (Ezekiel 36:27 NASB2020)
The indwelling Spirit "brings about" a life of obedience. Obedience does not bring about having the Spirit. If it did, having the Spirit would not be received as a gift but earned by our works.
—DWP, 01.07.2026
The shepherd’s reply to me:
“I can appreciate that. Thanks!”
Another great post brother. Just when I thought you couldn’t possibly speak anymore about Grace you blew me away. God bless. I love your new theme for the year. Mine is Fix your eyes on Jesus.
Bill, ... thank you! Happy New Year! I pray you have a wonderful 2026!