Those who speak against God’s grace are rejecting His plan, His perfect work. They loudly proclaim objection to “the grace message,” holding it out as inferior, a message that is true on the surface, but really one to be cautious of in reality. They act as if they will march right into John’s vision in Revelation 5 and tell the angel, “I will open the scroll.”
It is easy to get others to give assent to this attack on grace. When we have gained a new measure of discipline it can feel like we’ve ascended to the top of a mountain, another challenge conquered in our strength.
We couch this great feeling about our spirituality it in religious jargon. “God helped me stop looking at porn,” is announced with puffed out chest at a men’s accountability group. The others in attendance rejoice in this victory, hanging their heads at their own weakness. We find that our strength gives us pause to look down at our brothers because of their struggle.
Look at Me
Again, often the objection to preaching the reality of God’s grace is based on a focus on sin. This focus is preached vigorously in many churches, tied with a bow that promises that fixing the “flesh” is attainable. It inflates the pride of those who rail against preaching grace, reveling in their having a measure of self-control and victory over certain areas of their lives.
It gives glory to their own flesh and strength.
This is totally contrary to what God accomplished in His Son on the cross.
The bottom line is that their objection to “the grace message” is rooted in pride and in a religious spirit.
Jesus Himself spoke harshly against these things to those with a similar mindset in His day.
Check Yourself
Ask yourself, “Do I glory in my victory over a certain sin? Do I judge others for their weakness in a similar area?
Anything that shines the light on our strength or our personal self-control is taking glory away from the Father and His work accomplished in the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus.
Stop rejecting the Gospel, for it is the truth. It is Jesus who said Himself, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” Judging ourselves as either good or bad puts the focus on us, when the focus should be on Him and what He has done for us.
Are You Going to Open the Scroll?
In closing, read Rev 5:1-5 whenever you find yourself railing against those who preach the Gospel, who proclaim the goodness and grace of God. One thing is missing from those verses: your name and mine. “No one was worthy, is the reality that made John “weep with disappointment.”
The Lamb of God alone is worthy to take the scroll from the right hand of the one seated on the throne and to open it and read it. This is the absolute truth.
When we find ourselves getting puffed up because we have “conquered a certain sin,” or looking negatively at those who may be struggling, a good reminder is Revelation 5. Remember, it’s all about the Lamb of God and His grace, which by the way, teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness.
Be careful not to rail against the very mystery of Christ that His Father set into motion before the foundation of the world. His grace is real and is one of the cornerstones of salvation, along with His love and His mercy. Instead of focusing on sin, focus on Him. It will change your life.