End of the Age

My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins. – James 5:19-20

Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. – James 4:17

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. – Galatians 6:9-10

There is a great deal of deceptive teaching out there, and it seems like this has been ramping up in recent years too.

I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. – Jude 1:4

The thought of someone being condemned absolutely grieves me. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy. And while I can’t do anything to change that for those false teachers, I can share the truth with others who haven’t been lost to deception or may still repent if they see the truth. With that in mind, I have compiled the following scriptures to combat this terrible deception we call hyper-grace theology.

I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” – Luke 5:32

Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning. For to your shame I say that some of you don’t know God at all. – I Corinthians 15:34

For God has not called us to live in sin. He has called us to live a holy life

Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit. – I Thessalonians 4:7-8

But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves.

Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered.

In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed. – II Peter 2:1-3

But the truth of God cannot be changed. It says, “The Lord knows those who are His.” And, “Everyone who says he is a Christian must turn away from sin!” – II Timothy 2:19

Maybe you’ve already put the deeds of the flesh to death by way of the Spirit, just as Romans 8:13 says we must do. To that I would say, great! But if you are in a backslidden state, I can personally testify that God will receive those with a contrite and broken heart.

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. – James 4:7-10

For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive,

And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You. – Psalm 86:5