Christian… Anytime you hear “grace, and do these things” you are not being presented with the Gospel, but instead a Gospel imposter. Instead of grace alone this distortion claims you’re saved and sanctified by grace and the things you do for Jesus.

Sadly, there are many who see the true nature of the Gospel (God’s grace alone) as being a reality to good to be true. I mean how could God’s favor be unmerited… That it would require nothing of me… That His favor is designed to be received and not earned… That the process of becoming “like Christ” occurs independent of my works or involvement?

Because this position that one’s performance has no bearing on their standing before God is such an affront to a person’s pride and sense of self-sufficiency, these people end up establishing a religious code whereby they either seek to earn God’s favor or at a minimum prove themselves worthy of His favor.

To accomplish this they substitute the Gospel of Grace for the Three R’s of Religion: Their relationship with God becomes based on Jesus’ work coupled with obedience to rules, adherence of regulations, and participation in rituals all in an attempt to demonstrate a piety and devotion to God.

And yet, this is why such a position is so dangerous… If the basis of your relationship with Jesus is grace and the good things you do for God, you end up claiming Jesus’ death on the cross was not good enough - or incomplete. Friend, reject this “grace, and” distortion by instead believing that God’s grace really does change everything.