What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! (Romans 6:15)
Last week I read a heartbreaking letter from a young girl in her twenties. She said she started selling her body to men and women as a thirteen-year old. Even as a teenager she knew that it was wrong, but in her neighborhood it was somewhat accepted. Her friends, neighbors, and relatives all looked the other way because they knew it was probably the only way this young girl could get money for food and clothing. While this lifestyle is totally unacceptable and not understood in most civilized cultures, this young woman said that it was all she knew for several years.
Then one day she heard the good news about how she could be born again and be set free from the lifestyle she lived and hated. I don’t know if she got saved in a church or from personal ministry, but I do know she said everything changed. Immediately she quit “hooking” and gradually got off drugs. Her only problem was she had no income and could not find employment. While she was nearing starvation, someone took her to a church service where she heard a powerful message on grace.
It has always amazed me that two people can hear the same teaching, but each receives it in totally opposite ways. The young girl’s response was this. “I am so thankful for the grace of God. Although I know that selling myself is wrong, I now know that God does not condemn me and that I have been forgiven of all sin—past, present, and future. At least now I can ‘turn a trick or two’ to pay the rent and remain righteous and holy before God. It is so good that I am free from sin.”
I could hardly believe my own eyes as I read this. Truth mixed with falsehood equals deception. And although the message that was preached about grace may have been truth, she perceived it wrong and deception leads to destruction. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” (Prov. 14:12)
We must be clear what the Bible says about grace and sin. In Romans 6:14 Paul says that sin should not have dominion over us and then he says the reason is because we are not under the law, but under grace. But in order to ensure that we don’t take advantage of the grace of God, He goes on to ask this question, “Shall we sin because we are not under the law, but under grace?” Then he answers with a resounding, “Certainly not!” (Rom. 6:15)
By making this statement, Paul reveals that while we are under grace, it is still a choice whether we sin or not. Otherwise, instead of saying, “Certainly not!” he would have said, “You can’t!” He admonished the Christian to shun sin even though he himself taught the gospel of grace.
God hasn’t changed. He never has and He never will approve of sin. Faith pleases God (Heb. 11:6), and sin displeases God. (Ps. 5:4-6) The act of prostitution is definitely not an act of faith, therefore it is sin (Rom. 14:23), and a person must repent of it. Although Jesus died for our sins, repentance simply means to turn away from sin. As a Christian, when we find our flesh doing something it shouldn’t do, we should be led by the Spirit and repent from sins of the flesh.
While it is true that a Christian is under the New Covenant of grace rather than the law, we do not have permission to sin just so we can activate the grace of God. Once again, to repeat Paul, “Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!” (Rom. 6:15)
The young lady who wrote the letter may have heard the truth, but if she did, she certainly didn’t rightly divide the Word. God intends for His children to continually renew their minds and to grow in holiness. It is true that we are made righteous in a moment of time when we receive Jesus, but we develop in holiness through a disciplined life and growing in the Word. As we develop our walk of faith and love, and as we renew our minds with the Word, we are strengthened to overcome sin and grow in holiness.
Do we need grace? Of course we do! But any gospel of grace that causes you to be comfortable with sin is not of God.
Copyright © Larry Ollison Ministries
Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.
