Ch. 19 Grace Is Not a License to Sin
The phrase "no longer under the law" does not mean the law had no value. The phrase simply means I am not justified by the law; instead, I am justified by God's grace.
1. People are sinning quite well without a license.
2. The power of sin is the law:
1 Corinthians 15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law;
3. Law entices man to sin:
Romans 7:5–8
5 For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.
6 But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.
7 What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “YOU SHALL NOT COVET.”
8 But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead.
4. Laws or principles we create lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence:
Colossians 2:23 These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.
5. The Bible teaches Grace is not a license to sin:
Romans 6:14–15
14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be!
Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
6. It is Grace that teaches us to say no to ungodliness, not the law:
Titus 2:11–15
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,
12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,
13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,
14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
15 These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
7. Do not let anyone disregard you for teaching these things:
Titus 2:15 These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.