Why is it more important to accept grace than it is to walk the path?

Question

When most people I see who accept grace use it as a crutch to commit sin (see also social evils) Why do I have to accept that I am personally responsible for the horrible murder of a man to be accepted into heaven?

Answer 1

Because it is all jacked up.....It is sickening that people are glad that this peaceful lamb was mutilated....Would a righteous man truly want someone else to die in his place?

No, I call that a coward....

Answer 2

It isn't an either/or proposition. Just because some Christians abuse grace, that doesn't make it less important. You're going to the other extreme, but it's still extreme.

You don't have to accept responsibility for your sin or accept His grace. But like all other refusals of responsibility, that choice comes with consequences.

For my part, I know my own guilt. I'm grateful for His sacrifice and that forgiveness and grace are available to me. I also believe that they are too precious a gift to take lightly, or to demean by using them as a license to sin.

That doesn't mean that I am perfect, or that I don't struggle. But when I fail, I take responsibility. I ask for forgiveness. I make amends as best I can. I try again.

Even walking the path, we need grace.

Answer 3

The grace versus works argument is one that has been hashed out long and hard. Frankly, none of us is saved except by grace--yet, if you are a Christian than naturally your "works" should be Christ-like. "If by their fruits you shall know them" someone declares acceptance of grace and does horrible "works", then they have never totally accepted grace.

Here's the most simple explanation I know: You accept Christ. You do good works because you accepted him. You are human and fall short. The Law of Justice says . . . it's a 100% or it's nothing. The Law of Mercy allows Christ to step up and say, sure this person may only be 70%, but by grace I sacrificed the 30% since they accepted me. My contribution makes it a 100% on the scales. So their 100% requirement is fulfilled.

Answer 4

Words without action have little meaning...and this is so with grace without committed action..."walking the path". If you truly possess grace; you demonstrate it on a regular basis. You are not personally responsible...you can only be responsible for your own actions...but your actions make a contribution to the World and to Society. You can make it a better place through your own thought and action. This contributes to the Whole. We may only be a drop in the proverbial bucket; but as we all know...enough drops will eventually fill it...until it spills over and another bucket is formed. Our collective buckets form the genesis for all change.

Answer 5

In Matthew, Jesus taught that if you hate someone you are a murder, if you lust in your mind you are an adulterer. He was making the point that everyone, no matter how hard you try to "walk the path," is a sinner. God said the wages of sin is death. If you sin, someone has to die, and Jesus proved we are all sinners. He offered his life for you because He loves you. You were not even alive to be personally responsible for His death. His death was a gift from Him to you so you don't have to die for your sins. You can not "walk the path," therefore you need to accept His gift of grace.

Answer 6

I see from the answers you are going to be more confused than before you asked the question.

ROMANS CHAPTER 4.

Yes we are to do good as best we can, but the gift of God is Grace. And it is by Grace that we are saved, not by works; "lest ye boast " ie: I saved myself by doing good things, or memorizing scripture, or telling others about Jesus.....

You will want to help others if you have been saved by Grace.

Answer 7

Blame Martin Luther. He felt that it is belief that is more important that actions on earth. There's a lot more to it than that, but you'll have to study yourself.

I disagree with him. I don't think my neighbors would give a rat's bum what religion I am as long as I don't play loud music all night and steal their parking spots. In the human realm, I feel actions are way more important that our spiritual beliefs. I do believe that our motivation behind our actions are important as well. A person who gives to charity in the hopes of an afterlife is greedy, but a person who gives to charity because she or he wants to end poverty is noble.

Answer 8

We as children of God, true children of God will not intentionally commit sin. Not everyone that says Lord, Lord shall enter the kingdom of heaven. Those that truly love the Lord are not sinning willingly. We must remember only God know the heart of man.

Answer 9

Christians believe that none of us can escape sin. God gave the gift of Jesus Christ so that you can still go to heaven. Grace should be a gift, not a burden.

Answer 10

it is not more important... both go together; for you can't have one without the other... the pagan will tell you so... but read what Jesus says concerning God's law @ Matthew 5: 17-19

Remember; if you don't confess your sins and ask God for forgiveness in Jesus' name, then you will die in your inquity; and believe me a thousand years is a long time to think about being wrong.