Jude 1:4 tells us that it is the wicked people in the church who say God’s grace allows us to live a life that does not submit to God, and lives free of any moral compass. That is God is calling us according to Jude to not live immoral lives, we should not be filled with evil or overcome by it, but do that which is good (Romans 12:21). We know from James 1:17 that all good things come from God, who is the Creator of Our Faith (Hebrews 12:2), who in great joy laid His life down for us. So the answer is should we continue to sin willingly and rely on God’s grace? God does not like this behavior (Romans 6:1). God warns the church against being lukewarm, we can’t be both good and evil at the same time (Revelation 3:16), Jesus also warns us in Luke 16:13 that we can’t serve both God and our evil desires, we must choose God and live (John 14:6). The question here is not whether we are Saved and the fact God will separate the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25:32), giving eternal life to some and punishment to the other. The actual question is here, will I choose God or will I choose sin? We must let “…the blood of Christ purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. (Hebrews 9:14).” The blood of Christ was spilled on the cross to forgive every mistake we have made and will ever make. However, when we sin knowingly it is not a mistake but a choice to turn from obedience to God and choose our own way. Sin is both a nature and a choice, Paul tells us in Romans 7:18-20, that he desires to do what is right but does what is the very thing wrong that he doesn’t intend to do. However, further verses such as the Romans 6:1, and Revelation 3:16 make it clear to do good and not take God’s grace for granted. So what type of people should we be? We acknowledge Him as the perfect example, and desire to be as much like Him as possible (1 John 3:2 tells us this!). There is a fine balance between “earning salvation” and “learning salvation”, Salvation is a free gift and does not require perfection (Romans 11:29). However, we should note in Heaven everything is perfect so we should strive to live our lives on earth as we would in Heaven, and no we will not be free of all evil, live a perfect life, and have all the blessings in this life. God does calls us regardless, to walk with Him as we are not of this world but are citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20). So, the bottom line is and point of this article I have written is live the best Christian life possible, (Matthew 5:14), we are children of light and are to shine in the midst of this dark world. When we do sin we have Jesus (interceding on our behalf and when we don’t sin (do the right thing) we show Jesus in us! We are God’s people (1 Peter 2:5). In conclusion, I am thankful for God’s abundant grace, and mercy and know that as we strive to live for Him we can and will show Christ in us and be a light to this dark and sinful world. I ask my readers to do this, In Jesus Name, Amen.

Jude 1:4, ” I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives.”

Romans 12:21, “Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.”

James 1:17, ” Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.”

Hebrews 12:2, “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”

Romans 6:1, “Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace?”

Revelation 3:16, “But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!”

Luke 16:13, “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

John 14:6, “Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

1 John 3:2, “Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.

Feb. 24, 2018