Misappropriation of Grace

Read: Romans 5:20-6:2

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” —Romans 6:1-2

Lent is a time of abstinence and sacrifice designed to mortify the flesh in preparation for Holy Week. Some usher in Lent with “Fat Tuesday,” a time to indulge desires before denying the flesh. Fat Tuesday is followed by Ash Wednesday, when we atone for our sin, including Fat Tuesday overindulgence. So, some purposely sin on Fat Tuesday in order to confess the sin on Ash Wednesday.
 
In Romans 5:20, Paul declares where sin flourishes, grace flourishes even more plentifully. But in Romans 6:1-2, Paul clarifies we shouldn’t use grace as a license to sin—the “Well the Lord will forgive me for this” lackadaisical approach to sin. Paul notes we’ve dissociated ourselves from sin and sentenced sin to death. So how can we continue to have fellowship with what we’ve put to death?
 
When we accept Jesus Christ as Savior, we commit to practicing righteousness. To “practice” is to rehearse something in order to develop a particular skill. We should practice (perfect) righteousness and cease practicing (perfecting) sin. If we want to be holy, we should practice holiness. As long as we practice sin, we’ll only become practicing sinners.
 
To sin willfully and intentionally in anticipation of God’s grace is misuse or misappropriation of God’s gift of grace. It’s like skydiving without a parachute, daring God to save us. Willful, intentional sin committed so we can call upon God’s grace is taking sin lightly and trampling on God’s mercy and aversion to sin.
 
Grace is God’s unmerited favor on the undeserving, but it’s more than that. It is God’s very character and goodness seen in every blessing and gift we receive. We should never take for granted any gift that’s given to us, especially one that we did nothing to earn and one that came at such a terrible price.