This seems to throw my versions of "cheap grace" right back in my face. By "cheap grace" I mean that version whereby we receive grace and then return to living under our own authority. It is being a Christian through faith, but having no outward signs of it during life.
Paul is saying that we "presume" upon the riches of God's kindness and forbearance and patience. We assume that because God has not immediately called down wrath from heaven for our sins, because he has given this period of grace in patience and forbearance, that we can do whatever we want. We live in a microwave society- instant feedback is the rule we live by. No more so than with God's grace. If he holds back his wrath upon our sin, often we consider that license to do as we please.
Oh God, that we would not presume upon the kindness that is suppose to lead to our repentance. That we would be people who would understand your loving patience and forbearance with us, in our sin. That your grace would lead us to life, gratitude, faith and faithful obedience, and not instead to disregard for you and your ways.
I have a problem with the premise that as Christians we can live as we please. When you accept Christ as your savior you are indwelled with the Holy Spirit. This produces an atmosphere for faith to grow and a yearning to know the will of God; obedience to the word of God. As I told my Sunday school students this means turning AWAY from our sins and turning TO Christ.
ReplyDeleteI think we all should remember what Paul is saying in this chapter is there will be a judgment, for the saved as well as for the lost. If you know Christ as your personal savior nothing can take you from his hands but you will be judged by God, not on your own merit but under Christ. The lost however face a much different judgment. They have no hope. That is why we should not judge people but get the word of God to them. It is the natural mans inclination to judge people from his view point (standard). We should remember how despicable we are compared to God’s standards. With out Christ, all is lost.