“How many sins did you have to Commit to become a sinner?” – Brook Potter
When I pose this question, in the midst of our Seminars, I usually get the answer, “One!” That, of course, is not true. You were Born a sinner, because of Adam’s Sin, you didn’t have to do anything. You are who you are by Birth. So how many righteous acts do you need to do to become righteous? None, by the obedience of one, Jesus Christ, and your inclusion in his finished work, you became righteous. When you expressed faith, and became Born of God, you became righteous by birth.
Romans 5:19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Religion always points out what you do to determine who you are, Grace says to let who you are, determine what you do. And as we grow in our knowledge of Jesus Christ’s finished work, we reflect more and more his image, by the power of the Spirit in us, not by our will power. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
As my friend, John Lynch would say, “Sin can never be solved by anything you can do enough of, that includes trying not to sin. Sin can only be solved by trusting in the redemptive act of Jesus Christ and who He says you are at this moment.”
With that foundation, lets explore what the term, “fallen from grace” means in the New Covenant Setting.
Galatians 5:1- 6 (King James Version) Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
The context of Galatians 5, is not dealing with sin, it is dealing with works of righteousness. Paul is addressing the Jewish teaching that crept into the church, saying that the believers must now be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses. In other words, they were saved by Grace through Faith, but now its up to them to maintain their salvation by keeping the law. The hearsay of the Galatian Church still exists today, thinking that we must do things in order to be saved, trusting in our behavior rather than on Christ.
Herein we see the term, “Fallen from Grace.” (v4). It has nothing to do with Sin, rather it has to do with people who think they are Justified by the works of the law. In other words, if you are trusting in your Good Behavior, and works of righteousness to save you, or keep you saved, then you have no need for Jesus or His Grace. In that case, you think you can do it yourself, and you have fallen from grace.
Your salvation is no longer a Free Gift from God, but it has become a Reward for your good living, and it is now a matter of debt. Of course you would need to keep the entire Law to qualify, and only Jesus Christ did that.
Don’t let anyone fool you. The same faith that Saved you, is the same faith that keeps you and transforms your life as you grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Falling from Grace has nothing to do with sin, and everything with self righteousness and works, rather than on Christ’s Finished work. We trust in the Grace of God which makes us secure in the Son by faith. We cannot out sin the Grace of God, rather His Grace will pull us out of Sin, and transforms our lives, by faith.
Romans 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.
Joseph Prince talking about How believers fall from Grace:
AMEN BROTHER , THE SAME FAITH THAT SAVED US, KEEPS US WE ARE SO BLESSED AND NEVER THINK ABOUT THAT FACT. THANK YOU FOR THE WORD , BLESS YOU MUCH, LOVE IN CHRIST , BLESSINGS.
Amen indeed!
Joseph Prince will lead you back to what Jesus did for you! He kept me reading the Word and checking his comments– And finding levels I never saw! He always points us to Jesus! I love his ways-No one could turn me against him. I heard positive message-without forgetting without Jesus–Hell would have been happy to have me.
So true…
Awesome work my brother Brook Potter… love you bro!