Misunderstanding Grace
A lot of confusion exists around the subject of grace. I am a firm believer in the gospel of grace and that we, as believers in Christ, are not under the law but under grace. But what exactly does that mean? Does that mean what we can do whatever we want and not pay the consequences for our actions? No! Then doesn’t that mean we’re still under the law? No!
Let me make one thing very clear about grace. Grace does not keep you from enduring the consequences of your actions. If you cheat on your spouse, it may cost you your marriage. If you say hurtful things to somebody, it may damage your relationship with them.
What it means to be under grace is that your sins are not imputed against you; you are not graded by your sins. Your failures do not determine your righteousness in Christ. Your relationship with God isn’t on a rating system of how good your behavior is. Your righteousness is determined by your faith in Christ, and His righteousness is imputed to you because of what Jesus did, not any works or good behavior of your own (Romans 3:21-22). Our righteousness is as filthy rags in the eyes of God (Isaiah 64:6). Who wants to relate to God based on their performance and their own righteousness? Not me!
Yes, we are under grace, and not under the law, but do you really want to sow wild oats and reap the consequences for your poor choices?
1 Corinthians 10:23, “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.”
This really boils down to a misunderstanding between sowing and reaping vs our right standing with God. Our failures do cost us, but they don’t determine our righteousness when we are under grace.