Page 154 - GRACE

The Dangers of Grace

us that we can receive the awesome grace of God and yet
relate to it in an unworthy manner I was at a social function
recently with some of my childhood school friends, and as
is typical of such gatherings, issues of the faith and
Christian leadership was raised, and it came up because as a
Christian leader I was in their midst, and because certain
issues have recently brought Christianity and her
leadership into the spotlight. The issue was raised about
lack of accountability with church leadership. One of the
men at the gathering raised his voice to say that there are
some special men of God who, because of the level of grace
they carry, God will always exempt them and overlook their
misdeeds. I was alarmed and raised my voice in dissent. I
pointed out that God does not judge people based on their
popularity with men or exploits. He judges all men
according to the consistent standards of His eternal word. I
actually left the place with deep thought of how far we have
fallen into ignorance, and how hero-worship of servants of
God has built a false sense of security in the leaders and
their followers.

Grace can be frustrated, neutralized, or as 2 Corinthians 6:1
puts it, received in vain. It warns,

“We then, as workers together with Him also
plead with you not to receive the grace of God in
vain.”

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