“If you and I are at all serious about personal holiness, we’ll need to look under the hood of our hearts and try to figure out why we do what we do and then have the wisdom and courage to do something about it.  I think two of the most spiritually crippling words for followers of Jesus is good enough. So, let’s talk about grace abuse and why we do it.”

Our daughter, Megan, has a blog entitled: This is me Being Real.  Well, this is me being real.

Here’s what goes on in my head and heart whenever I’m tempted to sin; I’m not talking about the automatic, unkind word that springs from my lips, or a lustful thought that came out of nowhere but lingers too long, sin.  I’m talking about me contemplating a sin, even for a few minutes that I know full well is wrong (a felony in my hierarchy of sins).  Why is it a spiritually mature man, would ever choose to sin?

Because I know there’s always GRACE.  And, so do you.

And there have been times I’ve used my “grace card” like it was some kind of unlimited hall pass that allows me to go anywhere or do anything without fear of the consequences.

If you and I are at all serious about personal holiness, we’ll need to look under the hood of our hearts and try to figure out why we do what we do and then have the wisdom and courage to do something about it.  I think two of the most spiritually crippling words for followers of Jesus is good enough.

So, let’s talk about grace abuse and why we do it.

In The 10 Second Rule I warn about the “voices” we hear from outside of ourselves, like Satan and from the world, constantly tempting us to ignore God’s will and enticing us to live for our own personal pleasure.

But, the “other voice” I hear most often isn’t Satan’s or the world’s. It’s my own​—​it’s me resisting Jesus’ full claim on my life as Lord. I’ve told him thousands of times he’s my Lord. I meant it, and I still mean it! But there’s an independent, sinful part of me that wants to reserve a part of my life for me. I want to be able to call at least part of my life mine.

The Apostle Paul said it well:

The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge. (Romans 7:21-23, MSG)

So, let’s give it a name​—​call it partial surrender. And I’ve noticed that others who believe themselves to be Christians apparently have bought into the partial surrender idea, too​—​they’re like hanging on to their “mines” also. And there have been times I’ve begun believing the lie I so desperately wanted to believe​—​that because of grace, Jesus is fine with partial surrender.

Is he?

Is grace​—​the amazing truth that God through Christ Jesus has forgiven all our sins​—​really a contributing factor to my spiritual mediocrity?

Only when I abuse it.

Grace abuse is holding God to his word, while using it as an excuse to break ours.

Most of us wouldn’t think of ourselves as actually doing that​—​but isn’t that what we’re really doing?  I’ve often wondered if Jesus ever just slowly rubs his thumbs over the scars on his hands in disbelief that we would treat so casually his great love and terrible sacrifice. Why is it that our gratitude seems to have a half-life, once Easter has passed?

Christ’s sacrifice was meant to pay the price for that which I cannot do for myself—perfection and absolute surrender. Jesus expects all of us who claim his name to full-heartedly give our all to loving God, doing his will, and serving his kingdom on earth. When that’s not enough—and it isn’t, of course—yes, in the end he remains faithful, even if we aren’t.

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