For some people have slipped in among you unnoticed. They were written about long ago as being deserving of this condemnation because they are ungodly. They turn the grace of our God into uncontrollable lust and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus the Messiah. (Jude 1:4) 

 

There are those that He prophesied of old (Jude 1:4) (2Peter 2:1-20); “…who secretly bring in destructive heresies….walking according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness...”  We are cautioned  to flee (that means run the other way) from youthful lusts…we are given this intruction as believers (2Tim. 2:21). We are urged to pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace in the same Scripture. However, in this promulgation of false-grace, the suggestion that immorality in a believer is even possible, is seen as an offense , as if one could not commit such a thing . But we can walk according the Spirit or according to the flesh (.Gal 5:18, Rom. 8:4, Gal. 5:16) There always is a choice. These false teachers are the ones that call grace a sanction for sin. They call the law foolish. The law was a glorious ministry that led us to Christ…it was a tutor before faith came; now we have the ministry of the Spirit; more glorious than His predessor. (2Cor.3:7-8). This false grace declares that there is approval of every work, whether evil or good because there is no condemnation. But if one believes such a thing, they are already condemned. For sin was and has never been sanctioned by God. It was paid for by His most precious treasure Jesus, so we, too could be His treasures, united for eternity. No condemnation, does not usher in sinfulness, but gratitude and liberty to LOVE. No longer are we under the law of sin and death but the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free.

 

Some have crawled out from under another false door; working for their salvation, with a master’s whip always flicking upon their flesh. When they realize this is an impossible reality, for Jesus died for them even when they were still sinners and they need only respond and receive His justification, they are more than a little relieved. But when grace is explained in a skewed manner, they are then devoured by false teachers….. From the law to licentiousness becomes their world. They never have received Christ in truth. Works will never set you free (so they did not receive Him by begging and pleading) and neither will the flesh,   that says you can continually yield to sin and still be His. (Rom. 6:1-2, 1John 3:4-10, Rom. 8:8-9) People who have been swallowed up by this lie, are now also being convinced that faith is unnecessary...now who would not want us not to respond to the Gospel by faith? Starts with an 'S' ends with an 'n'. They are told "believing does not save them for they already were saved 2,000 years ago." True the Cross and what it accomplished is not affected by our response; but our lives and eternal destination does change completely with our rejection or acceptance of, Jesus Christ, the Father’s gift. Without faith it is not only  impossible to please God...it is impossible to receive Him. (Eph 2:8, Phil.3:9,, Gal.3:4, Rom. 1:16) Those who receive Him are called the sons of God.

 

Justified by faith used to be called heresy in the 16th century when Martin Luther, Wycliffe and others were crying out for truth in the Church. Today in some circles, requiring faith is called heresy, as if it is a work. The assertion is it is not my faith but Jesus’. But if that is the case,   and it is Jesus’ faith that converts us from sinners to sons; then He has great deal of explaining to do as many have not received Him. Did His faith fail? Was Jesus’ faith lacking or faulty. How can Jesus have faith in Himself for us? How can it be impossible to please God without faith ? Why  would  faith please God, if it were Jesus believing in Jesus? If faith has nothing to do with us, why be pleased in the first place? But genuine, faith is a response of the heart to a God, that gave all for us (Rom. 10:9-10, Gal. 2:20). We believe with our hearts…that is always the key…our hearts. Faith is from the heart not the head, (Rom. 10:9-10). If faith is considered an imposition or an unnecessary, added extra, perhaps the hearer has heard wrong. Justification by faith is so often mentioned in the New Testament, it seems an obvious understanding (Phil. 3:9, Eph. 2:8, Rom. 5:1-2, Rom 9:30, Rom.10:4) and the list goes on......So if we are told faith is not required, we then cannot be saved. For you can hear the word for decades and not respond. The Gospel unmixed with faith profits us nothing. (Heb 4:2). Therefore, grace without faith is dead. We must remember what  our faith is in…not in grace; but in Jesus Christ…grace does not replace Him, but emanates from Him. Grace and truth come by Jesus Christ.

 

This ‘Flesh’ grace declares pardon for all sin, before one commits it and therefore states, it is not even considered sin against us, because Jesus took it in our stead. It is true we are forgiven, the Cross was enough, He finished our separation from God; united us together with Him; but that leads us to not want to sin...we are freed from sin, not free to sin. (Rom. 6:1-2) The adulteress was not condemned by Jesus; she was given grace to not sin, not told to happily continue in it...that is the power of grace. In this current climate, even gratitude is seen as a burden, let alone seeking to honor the One who gave Himself for us.  This is born  of false conversion at worse; and at best, carnality in Christians as demonstrated by the Corinthians. But we have been set free from the bondage of sin, so that we no longer continue in it. Why return to the dog's vomit of sin? Set free to be in bondage, again...NEVER! (Rom. 8:14-15). That is the enemy's scheme and he will skew any truth of the Gospel for his own gain to shipwreck the faith of God's children and to keep the lost from being saved. We are not to be ignorant of his devices, which are insidious. He will tell you faith is unessential because it is nothing to do with you (just happens to you) because of what Jesus has done. Well if that were true, why do so many refuse Him? Grace must be responded to whether negatively or positively…but it always requires an answer. Jesus is not a magician that “abra-kadabra” waves a wand and does “faith” to you. The Father draws us to Him through the Spirit and the Son draws us to the Father. We can resist. The will is involved and if the enemy can make us believe our  will has disappeared (abra-kadabra style)……..”the rabbit is not in the hat”, guess who gets the rabbit? Do not be fooled by slick messages and clever comments. Holy Spirit is the One who indwells you and can teach you all truth, including what is false teaching. We take all to Him for His inspection, witness and filter….He is Truth Himself and cannot lie.

 

We, who believe in Him (Jesus) will not be put to shame. On the other hand, believing lies and calling them truth will imprison us. Believing a doctrine that appeals to the flesh has nothing to do with Christianity; for the flesh was crucified…how can it then be appealed to? Is it not whoever is forgiven much loves much….do we know we are forgiven much? If so, we love much…not sin much. First we love God with all our hearts, strength, mind and soul; then our neighbor as ourselves; the selves He has made us into…worthy, valued and beloved in Him.