the pendulum effect and sinning “that grace may abound”

This post is part 29 in a blog series that I have entitled “the wilderness between legalism and grace,” in which I share how I came to realize that I had an incorrect view of God and self and how I became free of the system of legalism whereby I was trying to earn God’s favor. You can view all of the posts in the series here on the series landing page. This post is about making grace an excuse for willingly sinning.

_____

I’ve spent much time over the past few weeks looking at key passages in Scripture about grace, the law, legalism, justification, and sanctification, namely in the books of Romans, Galatians, Philippians, and Hebrews.

I am putting up front that there is simply no way to expound upon these huge doctrines within the scope of a few wrap-up posts at the end of this series, but I am going to attempt to share truth as simply and honestly as I can in order to clear up any misunderstandings that you may have.

To do so, I need to go a little bit deeper than I normally would in this space. Please stick with me here. I know sometimes it’s easy to glaze over posts full of Scripture, but this is important:

1. The laws and commandments of God are important. We can’t just throw them out and pretend that they aren’t there. The purpose of the law was a) to show us what sinning is and b) to show us that we are incapable of measuring up to God’s standard of perfection and that we desperately need salvation. 

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. (Romans 7:7)

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (Galatians 3:24)

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. (Romans 7:18)

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:7-8)

3. Accepting God’s grace by faith is the only way to please God or to “be righteous”:

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand (Romans 5:1-2)

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. (Galatians 2:21)

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

3. Once we accept God’s grace for salvation, we are no longer under (responsible to keep) the law or follow a system of works to please God. The righteousness that was given to us through justification is all that God requires. 

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (Romans 6:14)

But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. (Romans 7:6)

And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. (Romans 11:6)

But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. (Galatians 3:25)

1) I’m not good enough to please God – ever. This is why legalism is futile.
2) I need Jesus, his grace and his righteousness – both for salvation and for power for daily living
3) His grace and righteousness are enough for me, every day
4) Even when I, inevitably, end up sinning – God accepts me because I have accepted Christ

I’m not sure how to make it any more simple. I feel like it makes sense in my head but I’m failing to explain it well because I know it’s a big thing to take in.

So then, what do we do with all of the commands of Scripture, especially those that fall outside of the Mosaic law (as in the teachings of Christ in the gospels and the guidelines for Christian living found in the New Testament)?