{"id":44924,"date":"2020-10-15T23:09:51","date_gmt":"2020-10-15T20:09:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=44924"},"modified":"2025-05-08T23:05:50","modified_gmt":"2025-05-08T20:05:50","slug":"a-loving-warning-dont-mistake-gods-grace-for-his-approval","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/ar\/2020\/10\/15\/a-loving-warning-dont-mistake-gods-grace-for-his-approval\/","title":{"rendered":"A Loving Warning: Don\u2019t Mistake God\u2019s Grace for His Approval"},"content":{"rendered":"

Blessed be the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This message is a loving and timely warning: Many people\u2014though they may think they\u2019re walking with God\u2014will be shocked to discover they were never truly right with Him.<\/strong> Jesus Himself warned that on the Day of Judgment, many who believed they were safe will be turned away. The root reason? A lack of true holiness<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

1. Holiness Is Essential for Eternal Life<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Bible makes this unshakably clear:
\nHebrews 12:14\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cMake every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Holiness isn\u2019t optional\u2014it\u2019s foundational to salvation. This does not mean sinless perfection, but rather a life set apart for God, marked by genuine repentance, obedience, and transformation through the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n

2. God\u2019s Common Grace Is Not a Sign of Salvation<\/strong><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s easy to mistake God\u2019s common grace<\/strong>\u2014His kindness to all people\u2014as proof of His approval.
\nMatthew 5:45 <\/strong>says:<\/p>\n

\u201cHe causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Even those who blaspheme, live in sin, or practice witchcraft still experience good things in life. That\u2019s not because they\u2019re right with God, but because God is patient and kind (see Romans 2:4<\/strong>). He is giving them time to repent.<\/p>\n

Theological Insight: This is called \u201ccommon grace\u201d\u2014God\u2019s general goodness extended to all humanity, distinct from \u201csaving grace\u201d which brings redemption to those who believe and obey the gospel (Titus 2:11-12).<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

3. Spiritual Gifts Do Not Guarantee Salvation<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Performing miracles, preaching powerfully, or casting out demons are not signs that someone is saved or approved by God. Even those who are spiritually gifted may be disqualified if their hearts are far from Him.<\/p>\n

Matthew 7:21\u201323\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cNot everyone who says to me, \u2018Lord, Lord,\u2019 will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
\nMany will say to me on that day, \u2018Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?\u2019
\nThen I will tell them plainly, \u2018I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Theological Insight: This reflects the biblical doctrine of \u201cfalse assurance\u201d\u2014the idea that outward religious activity does not equal inward transformation (see 2 Timothy 3:5).<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

4. The Works of the Flesh Exclude Us from God\u2019s Kingdom<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, outlines behaviors that clearly disqualify people from entering the kingdom of God:<\/p>\n

Galatians 5:19\u201321\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;
\nidolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions
\nand envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.
\nI warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Notice Paul says, \u201cI warn you, as I did before\u201d<\/em>\u2014he is repeating the warning because it’s that serious. He wants no one to stand before God and say, \u201cI didn\u2019t know.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Likewise, Ephesians 5:5 <\/strong>echoes this truth:<\/p>\n

\u201cFor of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person\u2014such a person is an idolater\u2014has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.\u201d<\/p>\n

Theological Insight: These passages affirm the necessity of sanctification\u2014the process by which believers grow in holiness, empowered by the Spirit (Romans 8:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:7).<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

5. God\u2019s Mercy Should Lead Us to Holiness, Not Complacency<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Yes, we should be grateful for God\u2019s healing, provision, protection, and daily mercies. But we must not let those blessings make us spiritually lazy or overconfident. God\u2019s goodness is meant to lead us to repentance:<\/p>\n

Romans 2:4\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cOr do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God\u2019s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?\u201d<\/p>\n

Theological Insight: God\u2019s grace teaches us to say \u201cno\u201d to ungodliness (Titus 2:11-12), and to live holy and upright lives in preparation for Christ\u2019s return.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

6. Holiness Is a Daily Calling<\/strong><\/h3>\n

We are not saved by works, but a saved person will bear the fruit of a holy life<\/strong>. Holiness is the evidence of true salvation and the lifestyle of those who belong to God.<\/p>\n

2 Corinthians 7:1\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cTherefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Final Exhortation:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s not be deceived. Blessings, miracles, and spiritual activities<\/strong> are not enough. What God desires is a life set apart for Him<\/strong>\u2014a life of humility, repentance, purity, and obedience.<\/p>\n

Let us examine our hearts and pursue holiness every day so that when we finally see Him, we will hear the words,
\n\u201cWell done, good and faithful servant\u201d (Matthew 25:21, <\/strong>\u2014not,
\n\u201cI never knew you.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

May the Lord bless you.<\/strong><\/p>\n