I love grace; but not any kind of grace. If anyone would argue that grace can be anything, I will suggest to him or her to read the Bible again. Many people think that "grace is everything: grace is their success, grace is prosperity, grace is Jesus Christ, grace is having good record and opinion from God, grace is freedom, grace is having no more laws and commandments, grace is effortless achievement, fame, and popularity, grace is drinking from the wells that you do not dig yourselves or staying in houses that you do not build, grace is keep wandering in the wilderness like the Israelites and still get the meat in your mouth, grace is doing all sort of murmuring and complaining like the Israelites and yet none of them died, grace is lying like Abraham and yet counted as righteous in the eyes of God, grace is sinning like David and yet still remained perfect in God's eyes, grace is .., grace is .. etc."
I know that most radical grace preachers or hyper grace preachers can keep adding many more into the list. But, is grace all these things or about all these things? If we preach grace by keep adding more and more into the list to show people that there is no more carrying the cross of Jesus Christ, no more discipleship, no more teaching, doctrine, and commandments of Jesus Christ, it is definitely not the grace of God under the New Testament.
Simply put, grace without the preaching of repentance is not the grace of God. Yes, it could be unearned, undeserved, and unmerited favour. But, if grace is preached like any favour which gives people the impression that grace is for all sinners to come before God with no more need to repent, no more need to confess their sins, or no more need to turn from their wicked ways, it is 'cheap grace' (sic):
- It is 'cheap' because it is not given through the precious blood of Jesus; but through the lying wonders and deceitful words of crafty men.
- It may sound like 'grace' because those who preach it keep defining any unearned, undeserved, and unmerited favour as 'grace', even including picking a 10 dollar note on the floor that is dropped accidentally by someone who could have tried to ear a hard living; but it now becomes 'grace' to you, and you can now boast that it is the 'grace' of God because it is truly unearned, undeserved, and unmerited favour. Hence, I would never consider this as grace - the most, it is 'cheap grace' to satisfy your thrill of getting something which you do not work for it.
Grace is not cheap; but grace can be cheapened or degraded as 'cheap grace' by men
Many will argue, "Grace is not cheap although it can be radical. Why do you keep saying that grace is cheap?" I will tell them, I did not say, "Grace is cheap" or "Grace is licence to sin", but I did say that grace can be cheapened or perverted by men (especially the believers). Hence, I can say that there is cheap grace, perverted grace, hyper grace, radical grace, or lawlessness (ungodliness) which could have been disguised as grace too. We can never say that money is cheap or sex is cheap, but we can say that there is cheap money or cheap sex. There are also cheap thrills, cheap sermons, cheap principles, cheap preaching too .. Jesus did not say that prophets are all false prophets, but he did say that there will be false prophets and beware (Mat 7:15-23). So we don't say that grace is cheap too, but we can say that there is cheap grace and beware.
However, many will argue, "Yes, Jesus said that there will be false prophets but he did not say that there is cheap grace !" I will tell them, Please read your Bible. Jesus might not say that there was repentance in His parable of the prodigal son, but He did show us clearly that the prodigal son repented and confessed it to himself before he confessed it to his father (even before his father stopped him from confessing it, even though the radical grace preachers insisted that those who believed do not need to repent and confess their sins, and even though they have rejected 1 John 1:9 with all their excuses and arguments).
- Luk 15:17-18 KJV And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! (18) I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
- that they can do anything they like because they are God's highly 'favoured ones' (sic),
- that all their past, present, and 'future sins' (sic) have been absolutely forgiven, and
- that, therefore, there is 'no more law or judgement' (sic) for all their moral attitudes, responsibilities, and behaviours:
Hence, it is absurd to promise all the believers (including those who preach cheap grace, practise cheap grace, or think like the servant above) that they can never be spue out by the Lord:
- Mat 18:23-35 KJV Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. (24) And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. (25) But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. (26) The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. (27) Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. (28) But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. (29) And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. (30) And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. (31) So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. (32) Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: (33) Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? (34) And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. (35) So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
- Rev 3:15-18 KJV I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. (16) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (17) Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: (18) I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
- Mat 7:15-23 Beware of false prophets ..
- Mat 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
- Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
- Mar 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
- Luk 6:26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
- 2Pe 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
- 1Jn4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
- Rev 16:13-15 KJV And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. (14) For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. (15) Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
It is not a shame to be blind
occasionally, if we made the mistake by preaching the wrong assumption
of 'cheap grace'; just repent and do the works meet for repentance.
It may not be a shame even if we are occasionally blinded by the false
prophets too; just pray for them and expose their lies. But it is certainly a shame
to know that we are blind, and yet we will still flock to them to take
in all their lies and false assurance of no condemnation, and
shamelessly boast around with their false doctrine.
God's grace does not justify all the ungodly; but only the ungodly who repented
Many will argue, "But, the Bible says that God would justify all the ungodly while they are yet sinners. It means that they are justified before they will even repent. It means that grace is totally unconditional. It is for the sinners to come to God without repentance and doing any commandments. So, what's wrong if we preach that the sinners can just expect total forgiveness without even turning away from their sins?"
I will tell them, If this is so, will you conclude that God would justify all the ungodly in Psalm 1:1-6 too?
- Psa 1:1-6 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. (3) And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (4) The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. (5) Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. (6) For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
- Gal 3:7-8 KJV Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. (8) And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
- Rom 4:3-8 KJV For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. (4) Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. (5) But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (6) Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, (7) Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. (8) Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
- Rom 5:6-9 KJV For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (7) For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. (8) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (9) Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
- Psa 37:23-32 KJV The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. (24) Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. (25) I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. (26) He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. (27) Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. (28) For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. (29) The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever. (30) The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. (31) The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. (32) The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
Beware of false preachers who preach 'lawlessness' as 'grace' and vice versa
If we still preach that God would freely justify the ungodly without repentance, we can never be the preacher of righteousness like Noah. We would be condemned together with the ungodly even if we keep confessing that we are the righteousness of God by 'cheap grace' or effortless 'do nothing' favour. Many argue that they have never preached lawlessness; however, they will be surprised when they try to argue with the Lord again in that day:
- 2Pe 2:3-6 KJV And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. (4) For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; (5) And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; (6) And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
- Mat 7:15-27 LITV But beware of the false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inside they are plundering wolves. (16) From their fruits you shall know them .. (21) Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter into the kingdom of Heaven, but the ones who do the will of My Father in Heaven. (22) Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name do many works of power? (23) And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; "depart from Me, those working lawlessness!" Psa. 6:8 (24) Then everyone who hears these Words from Me, and does them, I will compare him to a wise man who built his house on the rock; (25) and the rain came down, and the floods came up, and the winds blew, and fell against that house; but it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. (26) And everyone who hears these Words of Mine, and who does not do them, he shall be compared to a foolish man who built his house on the sand; (27) and the rain came down, and the floods came up, and the winds blew and beat against that house; and it fell, and great was the collapse of it.
- 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.
- Luk 13:3-9 KJV I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (4) Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? (5) 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.
** Jesus has said it very clearly that grace has been given and grace alone cannot save. The question is not whether grace has been given to everyone or grace can be received by everyone; but whether everyone who receives grace will repent. Hence, the Lord knows that not everyone who receives grace will repent. That's why He said, "Unless ye repent (and produce fruit), ye shall all likewise perish too." - it means, "No one can be the exception no matter how righteous he thinks he is !"
They will argue, "But we are saved by grace alone; not by the works of the law or good works. Hence, we should listen to Paul's preaching alone; not to Jesus' teaching which has become obsolete .."
I will tell them, Do you know Paul's teaching? Paul's teaching is still based on the all the words and commandments of Jesus and the Father. Do you know that Paul has also said that you must worship God alone, believe in Jesus alone, come to God by faith alone, listen to the words of God alone, and do the commandments of God alone? There are many things we simply do alone; but it does not mean that doing one thing alone can ignore the rest of the things commanded by the Lord. Yes, we are redeemed by Jesus alone and by grace alone, but believing in this alone should not stop us from 'worship God alone, come to Him by faith alone, listen to His words alone, and do His words alone ...'
The false prophets may say that we are saved by Christ alone or by grace alone, but they will never tell us that in 'by Christ alone' or 'by grace alone', we must still do all that He has commanded us in His words alone.
- Mat 4:4 KJV But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Why true grace can never be radical grace which has no God's law or commandment?
Many will still argue, "You said that you love grace. But my Lord said to me, If you do not preach grace radically, you do not love grace. Grace must be radical, otherwise it is not grace.."
I will tell them, This is what you say; not what the Lord said. If Jesus would tell you to preach grace radically, He would have told all His disciples to preach grace radically too. He won't need to wait for two thousand years later to tell you to preach grace.
I also don't think that Paul had preached grace radically too. I can only say that Paul preached grace clearly; not radically. Why? He made it clear with the command, "God forbid". He repeated it so many times that all those who misunderstood him would get the clear picture and warning of not to preach radical grace:
- Rom 3:31 KJV Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
- Rom 6:1-2 KJV What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? (2) God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
- Rom 6:15-16 KJV 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?
- Rom 7:7 KJV What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
- 1Co 6:15-19 KJV Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. .. (18) Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. (19) What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
- 1Pe 4:16-19 KJV Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. (17) For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (18) And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? (19) Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. ( 5:5) Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble... (10) But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. .. (12) By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.
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