1). What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2). God forbid. How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer, therein? 3). Know ye not, that so many of us were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4). Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
ROMANS 6:1-4
Some Christians may have a hard time with the doctrine of grace. "To please God, shouldn’t believers have to live a certain way?" “Sure, we are saved by grace, but after salvation, you’d better follow the rules to stay in God’s favor.” Such thinking misses the point of grace and thus, the message of hope.
Grace is a great motivator! (2 Corinthians 4:15-17). But, if you think you must perform in order to please God, guilt is your constant companion. Every time you fail to live up to your own expectations, you may question whether God loves you—or maybe even whether you’re really saved. The Lord doesn’t want us to live like this. We’ve already received His acceptance, and there is nothing more we can add to it. Grace not only sets us free from guilt but also motivates us to obey and serve God out of love and gratitude for everything He has done for us. Instead of feeling burnt out in our service, we will have a burning passion for Him.
Are you working to please God? Ask Him to help you to accept His grace and to walk in it. You’ll find living that way is energizing. Obedience and service will be a natural result of His overflowing love, and you’ll live a life filled with joy and gratitude.
-IBC
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