If there is true grace, as spoken by the Apostle Peter in 1Pet 5:12, then it is very likely that there is false grace as well. One of the most effective methods of the Devil which he uses to try to rob you of your inheritance is to convince you that you have something when you don't. False grace is that way. It is designed to convince you that you are secure and justified before God when you may not really be. Lately I've been hearing some teachings that do not seem to agree with what is written in God's Word, yet they are being widely and enthusiastically received by christians all over the globe.
The main thrust of it is that Jesus did it all on the cross. He paid it all. It is a complete finished work. This is absolutely the truth, but this teacher goes beyond what is written to put forth a "radical grace" that includes many statements contrary to the Word of God in it's proper context, thereby establishing a false sense of justification and righteousness before God which can ultimately lead to destruction.
Here following are some of those statements:
1. "When you receive Jesus you are saved forever."
This is not a new doctrine. It is simply a re-packaging of "Once saved-always saved." This teacher refers often to Heb 10:10 which states that we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all, and vs 14 says "For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified." He states that a believer is once cleansed, it is a never to be repeated act, and that the effect lasts forever. This is a perversion of scripture. The Apostle Paul is simply saying that Jesus was
once offered. He does not have to offer Himself often. You have to consider the context of the whole chapter. Vs 26 and 27 state that if you go and sin willfully you are facing judgement.
2. "All judgement is past for a christian" "No more judgement" "It was all finished on the cross." "What is in front of you is just hope and a beautiful future." Sounds really good, but is it the truth? Heb 10:26-31 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: 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? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is
a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. This teacher actually calls these verses "obscure", stating that we should rather cling to John 3:16 which is a "certain" passage, and that "Once Jesus gives you eternal life, you will never perish." "Don't let the obscure passage rob you of the joy of the certain passge"
My friends, all of God's Word, every Word , is clear and certain, and true.
Some other scriptures to consider here: Rom 14:10 ..."We shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ." Vs 12, ..."every one of us shall give account of himself to God."
3. "God would be unjust to punish you for the same sin He already punished His Son for" " All your sins are forgiven, past, present, and future" "Repentance is changing your mind"
The Bible says that sin is the transgression of the law. There must be a transgression comitted for there to be a sin. And, according to 1 John 1:9, there must be a confession to be forgiven. There is no such thing as a future sin, and there is no forgiveness without true repentance. Repentance is way more than changing your mind. It involves Godly sorrow and an ackowledging of the truth and a true turning from the evil resulting in a true change in the person. There will be works meet for repentance. In Revelation, chapters 2 and 3, Jesus, in talking to the seven churches, repeatedly says "I know thy works" and "I will give unto everyone of you according to your works." And in Rev 2:21&22 "And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds." Luk 24:46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: Luk 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
These are just a sampling of the things that are being taught in the name of grace that simply are not true. There are many things taught by this same person that are true. Why the mixture? I encourage us all to be like the Bereans in Act 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.