PORRIDGE FOR THE SOUL: THE PENDULUM SWINGS

What happens when one truth—grace—is given overwhelming emphasis at the expense of other equally significant truths?

Being sinners, we all need grace. In fact, lots of grace. No right thinking believer questions the need for grace—before or after conversion. http://bit.ly/1cpAexj

And what's positive about a teaching which emphasises grace is that it has welcomed with open arms many sinners into church. Many deemed and judged as “spiritual misfits” by a legalistic or performance-oriented church would otherwise be unreached.

More on danger of performance culture: http://bit.ly/1h8Z84f

However, the danger is when the pendulum swings too much to one side—when grace is overemphasised at the expense of other equally significant truths. http://bit.ly/HPoyY3

Harbouring an image of God that is agreeable and attractive—that He is always gracious, loving, merciful—has its dangers. http://bit.ly/1fN2LyX

A wrong picture of God may have deadly consequences. Thinking erroneously that He is always meek and mild may prove disastrous when we’re confronted by God the judge at the end of our life journey or when Christ returns (Hebrews 9:27, 1 Peter 4:7, 17).

Rightfully, the pendulum should swing back and forth. On one side, God’s love and mercy and on the other: His justice and righteousness.

Right through the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, these two contrasting aspects of God’s character are juxtaposed against one another.

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you” (Psalm 89:14).

“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Psalm 103:8). This truth is reinforced in the Parable of the Prodigal Son. But He is also a holy God who cannot tolerate sin. And there is a limit to His tolerance for sin for He is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29, 1 Corinthians 10: 6-12). http://bit.ly/1bz3TUf

“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). God requires of us righteous living; we will be judged on the basis of the truth in His Word. Having His grace on our side does not mean we can violate the laws He has laid out in the Ten Commandments. http://bit.ly/19wwHWW

Jesus told the woman caught in the act of adultery: “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more” (John 8:3-11).

Overemphasis on grace leads to the following assumptions. Do check out for yourselves whether the following premises in red are valid:

Once we are saved, we will remain saved (OSAS, once saved always saved, eternal security). http://bit.ly/GM5Srz

All our future sins are forgiven at conversion. http://bit.ly/18wc9Rb

There is no need to confess sin as we merely need to rest in the imputed righteousness of Christ. http://bit.ly/19yBzuD

We can afford to banish sin consciousness from our lives as the sin issue is a thing of the past, being settled once and for all when we believed in Jesus. http://bit.ly/GDv4QL

Repentance is merely changing our way of thinking. http://bit.ly/15qK4KI

By examining the whole Bible, we do not dwell on half-truths or emphasise one truth at the expense of another equally fundamental truth (Acts 20:27). It is wise not to “cherry pick”.

So let us dwell on the whole counsel of God, not half-truths. Because truth has wings.

Love and mercy are important attributes of God. But He is also a God of justice and righteousness.

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