Sunday, August 17, 2025

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

THEME: GRACE IS NOT A LICENSE

THEME SCRIPTURE: “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” — Romans 6:1–2 (ESV)

PREPARATORY QUESTION

1. If Christ's death has paid for all our sins, why should we worry about living a holy life?

The gospel of grace is beautiful, but it is not soft. Paul confronts the twisted logic: “If grace covers sin, why not sin more so grace can increase?” His answer is sharp— “By no means!” In Greek, the phrase is the strongest possible rejection: Absolutely not!

 This isn’t just theological theory. It’s a call to live differently. 

True grace doesn't leave us where it found us. It transforms. It empowers us to die to sin and live for righteousness (Titus 2:11–12). Grace isn’t a loophole for rebellion—it’s the power for obedience.

Augustine, before his conversion, loved his sin. But once he encountered Christ, he wrote, telling God: “Grant what You command, and command what You will.” In other words, God has the right to demand holiness—and through grace, He enables it.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer warned of “cheap grace”—the kind that comforts but never convicts. “Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance… grace without discipleship, grace without the cross.”

We must remember: Christ didn’t die just to forgive sin—He died to break its power. 

When we minimize sin because “God will forgive,” we mock the cross. If we truly believe we’ve died with Christ, we cannot comfortably live in the sin He died to destroy.

Yes, grace welcomes us in our brokenness. But it never leaves us in it. It calls us higher. It empowers us to grow. It teaches us to love holiness—not just avoid punishment. Any grace that welcomed you in your brokenness and maintained you in that same brokenness is not true grace.

Remain blessed.

FURTHER READING: Romans 6

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

QUESTION TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD

1. Have I used grace as an excuse for patterns of sin in my life?  

2. Do I see grace as permission—or power?  

3. What specific sin is God calling me to lay down in light of His grace?

PRAYER  

Lord,  Thank You for Your grace that saves and sanctifies.  Forgive me for every time I’ve treated it lightly.  Teach me to hate what You died to free me from.  Let Your grace empower me to walk in holiness, not out of fear—but out of love.  In Jesus’ name,  Amen.

One-Year Bible Reading Plan

Psalm 68; 1 Peter 4; 2 Chronicles 7