The Tragedy of the Abuse of Grace

Sunday, July 20, 2025

SCRIPTURE: “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:” (Hebrews 10:26-28)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The abuse of grace leads to eternal damnation.

MASSAGE:The Perilous Deception: When Grace Becomes a License for Lawlessness

Beloved, we live in a time of unprecedented spiritual access and revelation. The Word of God is more accessible than ever before, and the message of God’s amazing grace is preached far and wide. This is indeed a blessing, a testament to God’s boundless love for humanity. However, alongside this outpouring of divine truth, a dangerous and insidious deception has crept into the Body of Christ: The Tragedy of the Abuse of Grace.

The present wave of satanic doctrines and teachings reveals a disturbing trend: there are people who live anyhow they want in the name of grace. This is a subtle yet lethal distortion of one of Christianity’s most beautiful truths. We hear it often: “Once you are saved, you are permanently and eternally saved, even if you continue to live consciously and actively in sin.” Let me state unequivocally: That is a lie from the pit of hell; that is an abuse of grace.

This destructive teaching, often termed “hyper-grace” or “easy-believism,” disconnects salvation from sanctification, righteousness from redemption, and faith from faithfulness. It offers a “grace” that is cheap, a grace that covers sin without demanding a change of heart or life. But such a “grace” is not biblical; it is a dangerous counterfeit.

Our anchor scripture, Hebrews 10:26-28, serves as a solemn warning against this very deception: “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses.” This passage makes it abundantly clear that a deliberate, continuous, and unrepentant lifestyle of sin, after coming to the knowledge of the truth, puts one in a terrifying position. It implies a turning away from the very sacrifice that covers sin, leaving such an individual exposed to God’s righteous judgment. This is not a casual warning; it is a profound caution against taking God’s grace for granted.

Understanding True Grace: Power to Live Right, Not a License to Live Wrong

To truly appreciate the tragedy of its abuse, we must first understand the authentic nature of grace. Grace, in its biblical essence, is far more than mere unmerited favor (though it certainly includes that). It is God’s divine enabling power that works in us, equipping us to live a life pleasing to Him.

The essence of grace is to make us wax strong in the spirit (Luke 2:40). Just as young Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men, grace in our lives should lead to spiritual maturity and strength. It’s not a passive state of being perpetually excused; it’s an active empowerment for spiritual growth.

Grace makes people Christ-like in every aspect. It is God’s power working within us to conform us to the image of His Son. This is a transformative work, affecting our thoughts, attitudes, words, and actions. It’s about developing the character of Christ, not just claiming His name.

One of the clearest definitions of grace’s transformative power comes from Titus 2:11-12: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” This passage explicitly states that grace doesn’t excuse ungodliness; it teaches us to deny it! It empowers us to say “no” to worldly lusts and to live lives characterized by sobriety (self-control), righteousness (right conduct towards others), and godliness (right conduct towards God). This is grace in action – imparting the power to live right, not a license to live wrong.

Furthermore, grace causes people to abound unto every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8). It enables us to be generous, to serve, to engage in acts of love and compassion. It’s the divine engine behind all true spiritual fruitfulness. Therefore, grace imparts the power to live right, not a license to live wrong. This distinction is crucial for every believer to grasp.

Jude’s Urgent Warning: Historical Precedents of Judgment

The New Testament letter of Jude serves as an urgent and potent warning against the very abuse of grace we are discussing. Jude 1:4-5 (NLT) starkly declares: “…some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. So I want to remind you, though you already know these things, that Jesus first rescued the nation of Israel from Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not remain faithful.”

This passage is chillingly relevant. It speaks of individuals who “wormed their way into your churches”—insidious infiltrators, perhaps outwardly religious, who twist God’s marvelous grace into an excuse for immoral living. Their fate is already sealed; their condemnation “recorded long ago” because they have effectively denied Jesus Christ as both Master (Lordship over their lives) and Lord (divine authority).

Jude then provides historical examples to underscore the gravity of this deception, dismantling the idea that “once saved, always saved” applies to those who deliberately turn away from faithfulness:

Israel in the Wilderness: God rescued the nation of Israel from slavery in Egypt with mighty signs and wonders. This was an undeniable act of grace. Yet, despite being saved from bondage, many of them “did not remain faithful” and perished in the wilderness, never entering the promised land (Hebrews 3:17-19). Their initial salvation from Egypt did not guarantee their final destination because their hearts became disobedient and unfaithful. This is a powerful counter-argument to the “permanent eternal security regardless of ongoing sin” doctrine.

The Angels Who Sinned: Jude 1:6-7 continues: “And I remind you of the angels who did not stay within the limits of authority God gave them but left the place where they belonged. God has kept them securely chained in prisons of darkness, waiting for the great day of judgment.” Even heavenly beings, once in God’s presence, who rebelled and abused their position, faced irreversible judgment. Their previous status did not grant them perpetual immunity.

Sodom and Gomorrah: Verse 7 concludes: “And don’t forget Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring towns, which were filled with immorality and every kind of sexual perversion. Those cities were destroyed by fire and serve as a warning of the eternal fire of God’s judgment.” These cities were not under a covenant with God, but their extreme immorality brought swift and devastating judgment, serving as a terrifying warning of the eternal fire reserved for those who persist in ungodliness.

These vivid examples from Jude—the unfaithful Israelites, the fallen angels, and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah—collectively dismantle the notion that once you are saved, you remain saved permanently forever, irrespective of a conscious, deliberate, and unrepentant lifestyle of sin. The Bible consistently teaches that true saving faith is evidenced by a transformed life and ongoing faithfulness.

The Tragic Destination: Eternal Damnation

Beloved, the truth, as revealed in God’s unchanging Word, is stark and undeniable: the abuse of grace leads to eternal damnation. To claim that grace is a license to live anyhow is to find oneself on a direct path to eternal hell where there is no way out.

This is not a message of fear-mongering but a clarion call to genuine repentance and a sober understanding of God’s character. God is love, but He is also holy and just. He extends grace, but He also judges sin. His grace is abundant enough to cover all sin, but it is never intended to cover a love for sin, or a willful, continuous rebellion against His commands.

The idea that one can claim Christ as Savior while simultaneously and unrepentantly living in willful immorality, oppression, dishonesty, or idolatry, is a profound and dangerous self-deception. It distorts the very nature of salvation, which involves not just redemption from sin’s penalty, but redemption from sin’s power and a commitment to new life in Christ.

Jesus Himself warned in Matthew 7:21-23: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ “ These were people who clearly performed religious acts in Jesus’ name, yet they were rejected because they did not do the will of the Father. Their profession was hollow; their lives were not aligned with God’s righteousness.

This underscores a crucial point: Everyone can go to church, but not everyone can go to heaven. Church attendance, participation in rituals, or even outward service, do not automatically guarantee salvation if the heart remains unrepentant and the life unholy. The ultimate destination is determined by the sincerity of our faith, evidenced by a transformed life yielded to the Lordship of Christ.

Therefore, beloved, refuse to be caught up in the web of satanic teachings that have come to usher many people to hell. These doctrines sound liberating but lead to bondage. They promise freedom but deliver damnation. They offer a false sense of security that ultimately collapses into eternal despair.

You will not be a victim in Jesus’ Name. May God grant you the discernment to recognize these dangerous deceptions and the strength to cling to the true grace that teaches righteousness.

Responding to True Grace: A Call to Action

The solution to the abuse of grace is not to abandon grace, but to embrace it in its fullness – as both God’s unmerited favor and His empowering presence for holy living.

Remember this: The abuse of grace leads to eternal damnation. This truth must be etched into our hearts as a constant reminder of the seriousness of our walk with God.

Here are practical steps to ensure your Christianity is rooted in true grace and leads to a victorious, heaven-bound life:

ASSIGNMENT(S):

Refuse to live in sin; and if you have a weakness, make demands on God’s grace to overcome it so you can live in righteousness.

• • Conscious Decision: Salvation is not an excuse for passivity towards sin. It’s a declaration of war against sin’s dominion. Make a conscious, daily decision to turn away from sin and pursue righteousness.
  • Identify Weaknesses: Be honest with yourself and God about your areas of vulnerability. What are the habitual sins or temptations that plague you?
  • Demand God’s Grace: Grace is not just a past event; it’s a present reality and power. When you face temptation, actively “demand” (in prayer and faith) God’s enabling grace to overcome. Grace empowers self-control, purity, and strength where you are weak. Quote scriptures like Philippians 4:13 (“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”) and Romans 6:14 (“For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”).
  • Walk in Righteousness: Let your life be a continuous pursuit of doing what is right in God’s eyes, not just avoiding what is wrong.

Be sincere to God; if you make a mistake, sincerely ask for mercy and never go back to it.

• • Honest Confession: When you stumble or fall, don’t hide it or make excuses. Go to God immediately with a sincere heart of repentance (1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”).
  • Receive Mercy: God’s mercy is new every morning. Don’t wallow in guilt, but receive His forgiveness and cleansing.
  • Commit to Not Returning: True repentance involves turning away from sin. It’s not a license for repeated, unrepentant “mistakes.” While we may stumble, a truly repentant heart strives to “never go back to it,” relying on God’s grace for strength and deliverance from sin’s power. This is the difference between a stumble and a lifestyle.

Pray, study the Bible, and create an atmosphere of God’s presence around you always.

• • Consistent Prayer: Develop a vibrant prayer life. Prayer keeps you connected to the source of all grace and strength. It’s how you communicate with God, receive guidance, and express your devotion.
  • Diligent Bible Study: Immerse yourself in God’s Word. The Bible is your guide, your spiritual food, and the source of truth that exposes deception. Understanding the full counsel of God’s Word prevents you from falling for distorted doctrines.
  • Cultivate God’s Presence: Make your environment conducive to God’s presence. This includes worship, meditating on His Word, avoiding ungodly influences (music, media, associations), and consciously inviting His Spirit into your daily activities. When you walk in His presence, it becomes harder to live in sin.

A Prayer for Righteousness and Purity

Let us now lift our voices and hearts in earnest prayer, seeking God’s grace to walk in the righteousness He demands and desires for us.

PRAYER:

Lord, my Heavenly Father, I stand before You in humility and truth. I acknowledge Your infinite grace and Your perfect holiness. I confess that my heart can be prone to deception and to taking Your precious grace for granted. Forgive me for any subtle or overt ways I have abused Your grace or fallen prey to doctrines that distort Your truth.

I pray now, Lord, give me the grace to walk in righteousness. Not just to avoid sin, but to actively pursue holiness, integrity, and purity in thought, word, and deed. Empower me by Your Holy Spirit to say a resounding “NO!” to ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.

Draw me close to You and connect me with Your purity, Lord. Let my heart beat in sync with Your holy heart. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness and fill me with Your divine presence, transforming me from the inside out. May my life be a living testimony of the true power of Your grace—a grace that saves, cleanses, and empowers for genuine transformation. I want to honor You not just with my lips, but with my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: THE MATTER OF GRACE

DAILY BIBLE READING: Isaiah 16-18

QUOTE: “To conquer anything in this world, you must first conquer yourself.” Culled from the book, 21 Foolish Things People Do by Dr. Paul Enenche.

AMAZING FACT: The element Selenium conducts electricity only when a light is shined on it. In the dark, it is an insulator. (Just as light reveals conductivity in selenium, so God’s light—His truth and presence—reveals and empowers true spiritual life, while darkness exposes spiritual deadness.)

PROPHETIC DECLARATION/WORD: Receive the grace to say NO to the wrong thing today in Jesus Name.