Grace Card

I have noticed that so many people play the grace card to excuse their actions. It's hard for me to understand why there are those who think that it's ok to drink, dope, fornicate, etc., and say they are living under grace so there's nothing wrong with it because they no longer live under the law of the Old Testament. Excuse me! There are all to many New Testament scriptures that speak against this type of living. To me...If you truly have a heart for God you will no longer have a desire to do things of that nature. Not saying anyone is perfect because flesh will never be perfect therefore we make mistakes by making wrong choices and yes God does and has already forgiven us for by His grace we ARE saved...but to deliberately live in this manner...what kind of light is that to the world? One of my favorite scriptures is Romans 12:2-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. Any thoughts?

Well, yeah, I guess...........you said

and yes God does and has already forgiven us for by His grace we ARE saved

I don't see where in there you said we need to ask for His forgiveness.......

Without forgiveness there can be no reconciliation...that goes without saying.

There is no such thing as you know. I had a conversation with someone who seems to believe it's alright to live in that way. That's why I referred to it as playing the grace card.

yes, i see

i really don't mind a high interest rate as i keep it paid off. but i can't abide by any recurring fee

in a sermon i heard at some point last week, on another subject, there was an analogy made - the one preaching imagined a situation in which a person had been in heaven for several thousand years, and was given the offer, here's a second chance at life, 10 more years we're sending you back to earth to live. you can do whatever you wish with those years -- literally anything, live however you like, do whatever you like, no penalty. how would you live? what would you do with the time? redeem it or squander it?

is this the situation? we are given life - and our hearts and minds are being renewed by the Spirit. is this the situation, that we are truly free - 100% redeemed, taken off the slave market never to be sold again - that we may live in any way we like without fear?
if it's not the situation, that the free gift may be taken back, then obviously, we must accumulate good works in measure to ensure what we were freely given is kept. ((annual fee))
if it is the situation, then the question your conversation brings up in my mind is, is this person's heart really being renewed if perpetually living in and reveling in wickedness is their desire? if you can do whatever you like with your redeemed life and what you desire to do with it is evil, then has a new heart been put in you at all? or have you given lip service to a ritual, merely expressing a belief superficially that internally you have not actually taken to heart?

if salvation is granted on the basis of behavior such that it is the wages of a 'job well accomplished' then grace is no longer grace.
if redemption does not result in a spirit whose wishes are contrary to the desire of the flesh then what renewal has there even been?

i think the crux of this whole subject is discovering whether salvation - true salvation - actually affects a person or whether it is just, as it were, a label to wear that may or may not reflect the truth. does God really perform a work in me or is it up to me to change my own heart?

I understand what you're saying 100% and no God doesn't take back what He has freely given us. I'm not trying to be critical or judgmental of the person or anyone else that lives in that way, because I do know there are a lot of people that do think or believe that there's nothing wrong with it. I try to minister to them about what the scriptures say but they said they don't understand and what they don't understand they put it on a shelf. We all have faults and things we need delivered from and may not even realize it until God brings it to light; and I know that our walk with the Lord is an ever learning and growing process...for those who want to grow; still, I can't agree with living as the world lives. I don't claim to know it all, but, I also know that I can't make anyone see what they don't want to see. All I can do is pray God reveal His truth to them. When one avoids the Truth it is only the Truth that can set them free...and that includes me.

methinks you missed my point...........one must ASK for forgiveness right?

I understand the rate is based on a "by the pound" cost assessment, so you should do ok

I can't answer for anyone but myself, but, I do...yes.