“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.
16. Grace cannot force God to continue blessing any man who sins.
All these curses shall come upon you and shall pursue you and overtake you till you are destroyed, because you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you. 46 They shall be upon you for a sign [of warning to other nations] and for a wonder, and upon your descendants forever. 47 Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness of [mind and] heart [in gratitude] for the abundance of all [with which He had blessed you]. Deuteronomy 28:45-47 AMP
Because the blessings of God are activated through obedience, they can be deactivated through disobedience. God is exceedingly gracious and generous with us, but we have the power to open or close the door to that blessing. Just as God will not violate your free will – in the same way He cannot continue to bless you while you continue to sin.
17. Grace cannot make the sins of the saved different from the sins of the unsaved.
Everyone who commits (practices) sin is guilty of lawlessness; for [that is what] sin is, lawlessness (the breaking, violating of God’s law by transgression or neglect — being unrestrained and unregulated by His commands and His will). 1 John 3:4 AMP
Sin is sin. Sin is the same if you are a sinner or a believer. If you are a believer, your sin is no different to the sin of an unbeliever – it is no better and no worse. Just because you become a follower of Christ and your sins were forgiven, it doesn’t mean that you can continue on in that sin with impunity (exempt from punishment) or without repentance. Neither does it mean that you cannot be forgiven if you sincerely repent.
Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. John 8:34 NKJV
For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.” 2 Peter 2:20-22 NKJV
18. Grace cannot condemn sinners and excuse saints who commit the same sins.
But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” 12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Romans 14:10-12 NKJV
Believers are saved from sin, in order to walk in righteousness. We will ALL stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ
If we continue to sin, we will be held accountable before God and will have to give an account to Him. When we sow to the flesh, we will reap corruption; therefore we must rather choose to sow to the Spirit so we may reap His life.
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Galatians 6:7-8 NKJV
For God shows no partiality [undue favor or unfairness; with Him one man is not different from another]. Romans 2:11 AMP
But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality. Colossians 3:25 NKJV
When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. Colossians 3:4-7 NKJV
19. Grace cannot operate in the life of a free moral agent without his consent.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” John 3:16-21 NKJV
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 NKJV
God has already sent Jesus and Jesus has already paid the price for sin. The Father’s desire is for EVERYONE to be saved, to receive eternal life, and to live with Him forever. He has laid the table and prepared a feast, but He will not force us to sit or to eat. WE must choose to receive His grace.
And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17 NKJV
