THE ERROR IN THE GRACE MESSAGE
By W. G. Guy
Many evangelical preachers have repeatedly declared that we are “saved by grace”. In addition, several songs are sung in churches that say the same thing. Saying that we are saved by grace has become a traditional doctrine among evangelical churches. However, this statement is not accurate and can lead people to continue to walk in their sins due to this error. It can be called “greasy grace” as it can become a slippery slope for backsliding.
I knew of a local pastor who held to the greasy grace message; he refused to preach on sin, and he despised the need for repentance. He said that God loves you just the way you are. He failed to recognize that Jesus died because of the way we are. As a result of his preaching, many in that church walked in open sin as there was no conviction for righteousness. Repentance means change; he obviously did not preach the Word of God, but taught on "greasy grace". That church no longer exists.
2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
We are NOT saved by grace, greasy or otherwise, as is commonly taught. However, grace is an essential element in salvation, but the truth of it is not properly taught. Grace, as communicated in the doctrine of salvation, means PROVISION. God made provision for the redemption of mankind. That provision was paid for by the life of His Son, Jesus Christ. Grace is the offer of salvation but it is not received until it is accepted by faith.
Ephesians 2:8 – For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
God freely offers this gift of eternal life to everyone; this is referred to as His Grace Gift. However, this divine gift is not automatic, it must be received by our acceptance, and that acceptance is by faith in the good news of the gospel that we receive. God’s grace is freely offered to everyone, to all mankind; but not all of mankind are saved, because they have not accepted by faith.
Titus 2:11 – For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
If we are saved by grace, then all men are saved, because God’s grace is freely given to us all. The grace of God is like a contract which consists of an offer and an acceptance. His grace is the offer, our faith is the acceptance.
Romans 5:1-2 – Therefore being justified by faith (not grace), we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith (not grace) into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Why is it so important that we recognize that faith is the second necessary element in our salvation? This is because of what can happen to our faith while we live out our lives in this wicked and perverse world with the incessant tempting of our lusts by Satan and his demons. The apostle Paul warned repeatedly of what can happen to our faith: that it can be ship wrecked, cast off, or overthrown.
1 Timothy 1:19 – holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
What happens in a ship wreck? The vessel will no longer keep afloat and sinks. Faith that has become shipwrecked will not sustain you unto the day of redemption, nor will it provide you anything from God that is received by faith.
1 Timothy 5:12 – having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
Faith that is cast off means that whatever you had faith in, you no longer have or care about, and have rejected. Yes it is possible to reject Christ after you once believed. It’s faith that can be lost, thus your salvation. We must hold fast to our faith which is still waiting for that day when we are taken out of here and unto Him because our salvation is not finished until that day we are out of here.
2 Timothy 1:12b – for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
At that day, called the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30), faith is no longer needed because we have arrived at that which we have believed in and hold fast to.
2 Timothy 2:18 – who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
Faith can be overthrown by false teaching and doctrines that are not biblical but are perverted or invented by man and demons.
Ephesians 4:13-14 – till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
The apostle Paul was very concerned that those he preached to were holding fast to their faith, because he understood that faith is so important.
1 Thessalonians 3:5 – For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
Hebrews 10:38-39 – Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
In conclusion, grace does not save you, but it’s God’s offer of redemption that is freely given to all mankind. It is by faith that you accept what God has provided through Jesus Christ; that you believe in His death, His shed blood for your sins, and His resurrection, (Romans 10:9-10).
The word faith used in the New Testament is translated from the Greek word pistis, which means confidence, assurance, faith and fidelity. The often overlooked portion of this definition is fidelity which means faithfulness. A key part of the faith we are to have is to live in faithfulness to Him and His Word.
Hebrews 11:6 – But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Selah, (think on that).
By W. G. Guy
Many evangelical preachers have repeatedly declared that we are “saved by grace”. In addition, several songs are sung in churches that say the same thing. Saying that we are saved by grace has become a traditional doctrine among evangelical churches. However, this statement is not accurate and can lead people to continue to walk in their sins due to this error. It can be called “greasy grace” as it can become a slippery slope for backsliding.
I knew of a local pastor who held to the greasy grace message; he refused to preach on sin, and he despised the need for repentance. He said that God loves you just the way you are. He failed to recognize that Jesus died because of the way we are. As a result of his preaching, many in that church walked in open sin as there was no conviction for righteousness. Repentance means change; he obviously did not preach the Word of God, but taught on "greasy grace". That church no longer exists.
2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
We are NOT saved by grace, greasy or otherwise, as is commonly taught. However, grace is an essential element in salvation, but the truth of it is not properly taught. Grace, as communicated in the doctrine of salvation, means PROVISION. God made provision for the redemption of mankind. That provision was paid for by the life of His Son, Jesus Christ. Grace is the offer of salvation but it is not received until it is accepted by faith.
Ephesians 2:8 – For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
God freely offers this gift of eternal life to everyone; this is referred to as His Grace Gift. However, this divine gift is not automatic, it must be received by our acceptance, and that acceptance is by faith in the good news of the gospel that we receive. God’s grace is freely offered to everyone, to all mankind; but not all of mankind are saved, because they have not accepted by faith.
Titus 2:11 – For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
If we are saved by grace, then all men are saved, because God’s grace is freely given to us all. The grace of God is like a contract which consists of an offer and an acceptance. His grace is the offer, our faith is the acceptance.
Romans 5:1-2 – Therefore being justified by faith (not grace), we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith (not grace) into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Why is it so important that we recognize that faith is the second necessary element in our salvation? This is because of what can happen to our faith while we live out our lives in this wicked and perverse world with the incessant tempting of our lusts by Satan and his demons. The apostle Paul warned repeatedly of what can happen to our faith: that it can be ship wrecked, cast off, or overthrown.
1 Timothy 1:19 – holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
What happens in a ship wreck? The vessel will no longer keep afloat and sinks. Faith that has become shipwrecked will not sustain you unto the day of redemption, nor will it provide you anything from God that is received by faith.
1 Timothy 5:12 – having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
Faith that is cast off means that whatever you had faith in, you no longer have or care about, and have rejected. Yes it is possible to reject Christ after you once believed. It’s faith that can be lost, thus your salvation. We must hold fast to our faith which is still waiting for that day when we are taken out of here and unto Him because our salvation is not finished until that day we are out of here.
2 Timothy 1:12b – for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
At that day, called the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30), faith is no longer needed because we have arrived at that which we have believed in and hold fast to.
2 Timothy 2:18 – who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
Faith can be overthrown by false teaching and doctrines that are not biblical but are perverted or invented by man and demons.
Ephesians 4:13-14 – till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
The apostle Paul was very concerned that those he preached to were holding fast to their faith, because he understood that faith is so important.
1 Thessalonians 3:5 – For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
Hebrews 10:38-39 – Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
In conclusion, grace does not save you, but it’s God’s offer of redemption that is freely given to all mankind. It is by faith that you accept what God has provided through Jesus Christ; that you believe in His death, His shed blood for your sins, and His resurrection, (Romans 10:9-10).
The word faith used in the New Testament is translated from the Greek word pistis, which means confidence, assurance, faith and fidelity. The often overlooked portion of this definition is fidelity which means faithfulness. A key part of the faith we are to have is to live in faithfulness to Him and His Word.
Hebrews 11:6 – But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Selah, (think on that).
