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Wednesday, August 20, 2025

ABUSING GRACE - GUILTY!

We used to call it backsliding. That term comforted us because it made it seem like it was something that happened outside of our will and decision. That was, of course, never the case! We just don’t like to take responsibility for our missteps! Such a kind word – missteps. It doesn’t sound bad at all. We’ were just walking along and suddenly – we misstepped!

It was an accident! We didn’t mean to do it! It just sort of happened.

But, in reality, it was an act of our will! We can use all the user-friendly language we want to make it sound innocuous – but it was sheer rebellion in most cases.

I knew what I was doing! Sometimes I even thought it through so thoroughly that I knew I was defying God, but – after all – I could always seek His forgiveness and kick in the I John 1:9 caveat! [Paraphrase: If I confess my sin, He is faithful and just and will forgive my sin and cleanse me from all unrighteousness.]

Voila! I’m clean again! Assured of Heaven!

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For those few of us who can admit that we’ve actually had thought processes like this, what a horrible presumption! How dare we try to 'play' God! Do we think He isn’t aware of this game? Do we think He isn’t all that concerned about our dalliance with sin? [Imagine God saying] “It’s ok, Hal. I see what you’re doing here and it really doesn’t bother Me that you’re playing frivolously with my grace!”

ARE YOU KIDDING?

God doesn’t like it when we play with His grace!

What a great time to reflect on the corruption and fickleness of the Old Testament children of Israel.

Their unfaithfulness and persistent rebellion is notorious!  Remember that God eventually had His own Temple destroyed by the Babylonians and watched as His people were carried away to Babylon – where they resided for the next seventy years!  All this took place after years of warnings from God’s prophets!

This is the whole story of the Old Testament: a rebellious people whose story ended without any authentic resolution! Their sinfulness triggered the end of the Old Covenant and revealed the need for a New Covenant!

But we think we can repeat the behavior of the Israelites and God will be okay with that!

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We know this! God loves and rewards FAITHFULNESS!

That’s why He was so pleased with Noah, Abraham and Sarah, Joseph, Moses, David [despite his well-known flaws], Samuel, and a whole host of prophets – even including some kings of Judah!

God is looking for those who will be faithful – not those who manipulate His grace!

Why not just stop it? Stop what?

How about this sin – repent, sin – repent, sin – repent, sin – repent pattern that has dominated your adult life for far too long!

Lay a firm foundation!

Consecrate yourself to a commitment!

Change your patterns!

Resolve to be God’s man or woman!

Conquer sin instead of playing with it!

It likely begins with a prayer like the following:



Kind and gracious God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit,


I’ve abused Your grace!
I’ve done it over and over – beyond counting!
It’s become a pattern in my life!


I know this displeases You!
I’m sorry!
Genuinely sorry!
But today – You’ve gotten my attention!


I want to be done with this atrocious behavior.
I don’t want to plan to sin…
or deliberately abuse Your wonderful grace!


I want to be an example of faithfulness.
I want to please You!


I know that I’ll always need forgiveness.
All of us do!
But I want to stop these thought-through,
fully aware of what I am doing,
playful flirtations with SIN!


I’ve disappointed You!
I’ve hurt You!
I’ve tried to use You!
I can do better.
I want to do better.
I plan to do better,
Though Your grace and help!


May my life and light shine for You!
AMEN! 

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