I know that I am not good in definition. But if the radical grace or hyper grace preachers keep defining grace as "not license to sin", I would ask them, what's your intention of defining grace as this? If grace is not license to sin, grace is what ? Some preachers would be quick to reply, "Of course, grace is unearned, undeserved, and unmerited favour !" I will tell them, Of course, I know that grace is not license to sin and I have no problem with that definition too. But I am still waiting for the answers from the radical grace preachers who keep saying that "grace is not license to sin". I will ask them, We know that grace is not license to sin, but why do you always like to use the word 'license' or 'not license' as your definition of grace? If it is 'not license' to sin, it is 'license' to what or 'license' to do what?
Before I hear any answer from the radical grace preachers, I would guess that the reason why they defined grace as 'not license to sin' is because they have heard too many law preachers falsely accusing them for preaching grace as 'license to sin' or 'freedom to sin'. While I am not sure who would accuse them for preaching or defining grace as license to sin, I can advise that we do something to stop ignorant preachers from misunderstanding or falsely accusing us for preaching license to sin. I would recommend that we should preach grace as license to do something, which could be a more positive and more direct definition and it should stop unwanted speculation or misunderstanding.
"Grace is not license to sin; but grace can be abused and turned into a license to sin !"
Therefore, we should use a more positive and direct approach in the confession of grace
I believe that my definition of grace may not be as good or as accurate as the definition of grace by some Bible scholars; however, it should do better than the definition of grace as being 'not license to sin':
1. Grace is license to come before God
2. Grace is license to be accepted by God
3. Grace is license to have God's laws in our hearts
- Heb 8:6-10 KJV But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. (7) For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. (8) For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: (9) Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. (10) For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
4. Grace is license to yield our members to do righteousness
- Heb 10:16-29 KJV This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; (17) And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. .. (26) For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, (27) But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. (28) He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: (29) Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
5. Grace is license to repent and bear fruit
- Rom 6:13-22 KJV Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. (14) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (15) What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. (16) Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (17) But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. (18) Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. (19) I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. (20) For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. (21) What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. (22) But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
6. Grace is license to keep the laws and commandment of God and walk in it
- Luk 13:5-10 KJV I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (6) He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. (7) Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? (8) And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: (9) And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. (10) And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.
- 1Jn 2:4-6 KJV He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (5) But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. (6) He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. .. 2Jn 1:3-6 KJV Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. (4) I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. (5) And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. (6) And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. Psa 1:1-2 KJV Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. (2) But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
The grace of Jesus is not radical freedom from all kinds of laws, commandments, or principles
Hence, I would think that the gospel of grace that Paul preached is based on the gospel that Jesus preached - the gospel of grace or grace is the license, membership, or servanthood in God's kingdom to yield fruit and do righteousness. Of course, true grace can be proven by its fruit:
- Mat 7:15-23 KJV Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (16) Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? .. (20) Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (21) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
- Luk 6:46-48 KJV And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? (47) Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: (48) He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood (false doctrine) arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. (Hence, Jesus said clearly that He would not just want us to have right believing, right faith, right miracles, right preaching, or right confession only; he wants us to have right doing with His words too, because right doing would prove that we are His true disciples on the rock of salvation.)
Hence, if grace is defined as radical freedom to have no more law of God, it is license to sin. It is the same license that the serpent had given to Adam and Eve. It might not ask them to sin or live like the devil; it was as 'good' as (or as bad as) the license to sin in the eyes of God It was the license to make God's words or commandments of none effect:
- Gen 2:16-17 KJV And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: (17) But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die... Gen 3:2-4 KJV And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: (3) But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. (4) And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
- 1Jn 3:3-4 LITV And everyone having this hope on Him purifies himself even as that One is pure. (4) Everyone practicing sin also practices lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.
Radical freedom from all God's laws or lawlessness is license to sin
Hence, I will tell the radical grace preachers now, By the way, after discussing on your 'ding dong bell' doctrine, going through your 'pure grace' theology, or going to and fro with you in your lawless arguments, I realised something: the law preachers were not wrong to say that you have preached license to sin. After all, giving people the license to have no more God's law or commandment in their hearts or minds is license to sin in God's eyes. You can disagree with me, but you can't deny the words of God or the commandments of Jesus:
- Mat 19:17 KJV And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
- Joh 15:10-14 KJV If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. (11) These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. (12) This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. (13) Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (14) Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
- 1Jn 2:3-7 KJV And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. (4) He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (5) But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. (6) He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (7) Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
- Rev 12:17 KJV And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
- Rev 22:10-16 KJV And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. (11) He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. (12) And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (13) I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. (14) Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. (15) For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. (16) I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
- Rev 22:20-21 KJV He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (21) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
False preachers would always deny that they preach license to sin
They will argue, "No, we have never never preached license to sin. We vehemently deny it. In fact, we have never commit adulteries. We are good husbands and fathers. We are good and law-abiding citizens. Although we are quite rich, we are not like what you say. We can never be Satan or the devils. We love the people and speak positive words to the believers. We never beat them. We just want them to live righteous and godly lives. We preach the name of Jesus more than any other preachers. Hence, how can we preach license to sin? You have put false words and false accusations in our mouths .. "
I will tell them,You don't have to deliberately preach the name of Jesus more than others. God's preachers will never need to preach the name of Jesus more than any other people to prove anything if they will just do and teach the words of Jesus genuinely.
Secondly, have you wondered why I did not find fault with the 'Pharisee' preachers, 'Money' preachers, or 'Monkey' preachers? It's because they are 'dead' preachers or the 'D' preachers, but those who preach 'license to sin' are the 'D&D' preachers - they are the 'dangerous and deceiving' preachers. Of course, Jesus would not need to warn us about the false preachers outside or the 'dead' preachers too. He would only warn us about the wolves that is still in our midst:
- Mat 7:15-23 KJV Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (16) Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?... (20) Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (21) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
- Luk 6:46-48 KJV And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? (47) Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: (48) He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood (false doctrine) arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. (Hence, Jesus said clearly that He would not just want us to have right believing, right faith, right miracles, right preaching, or right confession only; he wants us to have right doing with His words too, because right doing would prove that we are His true disciples on the rock of salvation.)
They know how to preach God's righteousness to make the preaching of the Lord of none effect
I will tell them, You said that you have not preach license to sin? Please think again, Have you preached that the sinners or believers should confess righteousness if they sin? If you have preached it, you are the 'D&D' preachers who have preached license to sin.
- Many of them may argue, "Countless people have listened to our teaching. We just tell them to confess, 'I am the righteousness of God', instead of 'Repent, repent, repent'. And they can overcome sins more effortlessly by confessing and thinking of righteousness instead of repenting and thinking of their sins !" I will ask them, Which one of your believers have watched pornography, confessed I am the righteousness of God, and overcome sins effortlessly?
- They will argue and say, "Of course, none of them will watch pornography and confess righteousness. Of course, something is wrong if they will confess righteousness while watching pornography. But what I meant was that after they have watched pornography, they will confess that they are the righteousness of God. And they wrote to inform us that they have overcome the addiction to watch pornography.. Hallelujah.." I will ask them, If they had sinned and knew that they had sinned, why didn't you tell them to confess sin?
- They will say, "I don't tell them to confess sin because we cannot confess sin. 1 John 1:9 is not for us. Conviction of sin by the Holy Spirit is also not for us too. Hence, we can only confess righteousness. We must think righteous about our sins and that we are the righteousness of God." I will tell them, No wonder, all your believers would write back and confess that they are the righteousness of God and that they have overcome sins. It is because they are told to think that they are always righteous no matter how they've sinned or will sin. Hence, even though they may not have overcome sins, they would write to you and confess that they are righteous and no longer under sins. This is clearly a self-deception for all those who sin and need some kind of immediate mental justification for sins ! Hence, I can say that this could be still license to sin for some of them.
I do not know how you can prove that your preaching of radical grace or preaching of righteousness of God is more effective than the preaching of the Lord, and therefore your preaching can replace all the repentance message of the Lord. How can you prove that your believers have sinned less, stopped sinning, had no more future sins, and had no more need to confess any sins too, when they would just confess or think that they are too righteous to repent? - I will ask them, Do you know what it means if you confess righteousness or that 'I am the righteousness of God' while sinning or after sinning? You are literally telling Jesus that you are already righteous, that you don't need to repent, and that you don't need grace any more. You are thinking that you are too righteous to pray too: Luk 11:2-4 KJV And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. (3) Give us day by day our daily bread. (4) And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
- I will tell them, I know that you have many good and valid reasons to preach "I am the righteousness of God" or "I am too righteous to repent and confess sins" and that one of the obvious reasons is "sinners do not like to hear repentance any more", but I will still preach repentance because it is what Jesus has commanded us to preach: Luk 24:45-48 KJV Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, (46) And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: (47) And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (48) And ye are witnesses of these things.
The Lord would not want us to be misunderstood; He would want us to be clearly understood even if it means persecution by others
Hence, I realised that the biggest problem with the radical grace preachers is not their enthusiasm or radical passion to preach grace; but their unusual lawless boldness to deny Jesus and the teaching of Jesus. When they say,"If you do not preach grace until everyone misunderstood you, you are not preaching grace!", they have not only falsely accused all the preachers who do not preach like them, they have also falsely accused Jesus and all the Apostles for not preaching grace! This is the greatest lie, accusation, and blasphemy ! I will tell the radical grace preachers, Please read your Bible again. Of course, Jesus and all the Apostles preached the gospel of grace. In fact, Jesus had preached the gospel of grace more than any Apostles, including Paul. Of course, I see grace in all the Lord's preaching of repentance, parables, and sermons. I believe that all of us including the sinners should see more grace from the teaching of Jesus too. Jesus would not want us to preach until people misunderstood us because we seemed to preach license to sin; but Jesus would us to preach until people might even persecute us because we preached His name, His commandments against sins, and His repentance message to turn from sins:
- Mat 5:10-14 KJV Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (11) Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. (12) Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (13) Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. (14) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
- Joh 15:20 KJV Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
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