I have been accused of following hyper-grace. I never heard of this term until it was used against me to rebuke once saved always saved at bible study I attended. This was new to me and so many thoughts were ringing in my head. The first one was run away from this church now!
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The problem I have come across is double standards, if that is the correct way to say it. What I mean is that on one breath they say Jesus saved us and the other they rely on their own flesh to be saved. I fully trust with my heart that Jesus paid my debt with his sacrifice for me to be saved.
I have always believed it is all about the blood that we are saved, and it was Jesus blood that saved us. If you attend a church that does not support this, or he did and plus what you do is saved I will be looking for somewhere else.
Doing a search for hyper-grace was a very negative experience on the internet and lots of people saying it is a bad doctrine. The first Google top search was from Siloam Springs Herald Leader. The writer Jackie Brooks on September 16th wrote that hyper-grace is nicer than God and continued to test this theory by categorising it to reality, logic and where the beef is statements.
The reality statement I am still trying to grasp the argument they have. So, they would like to put this into test, and they want you to consider against the hyper-grace in the context of this argument. If you do not tech children with no boundaries, no right or wrong? you’ll quickly see that this is not a good idea. Children need to be trained or else they grow up damaged. Parents must approve good conduct and punish bad conduct.
This is a work-based argument and because of knowing right or wrong does not stop you to sin if you think that teaching your child good, he or she is never going to sin is sending him/her into the lake of fire but thank the Lord for the age of accountability. Letting your child think they can be good to get them in heaven is a death sentence and as a parent you are failing that child and God and when they are old enough they will not know the truth.
The next argument is Let’s put our logic against the hyper-grace believer. If there is no such thing as sin, then we wouldn’t need to be saved. Without sin, we don’t need a Saviour. Therefore, Jesus dying on the cross was a terrible waste.
This statement is based on a lie and holds no argument whatsoever. A hyper-grace believer has never said there is no such thing as sin in fact we admit that we are sinners and need of a saviour. We know there is sin and what ever we do it will never be good enough. We get excited about God’s grace and our sins are paid for. We know walking in Jesus’ footsteps rewards us in God’s kingdom that is why we try and not to sin. Thank you, Lord, for saving us.
There other statement Let’s put the “Where’s the beef?” test to it. What’s the fruit of believing hyper-grace? It defies “cause and effect”; the way the universe works. Karma exists. What goes around, comes around.
This does go on but now is rant time and after that few sentences I need to say no more, but I will. Ok the way the universe works Karma exists. So the argument against Hyper-grace knowing our Lord Jesus died on the cross is using a false religion Hinduism and Buddhism Karma. Now alone Karma means “Karma (/ˈkɑːrmə/; Sanskrit: means action, work, or deed.” So they are saying the universe works by you having Karma (work) and what you give will come around back to you. They think they can work their way to heaven when there is numerous scripts that go against this.
Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
I am a sinner. I think the term hyper-grace gets labelled incorrectly and without knowing the meaning of it, gets branded incorrectly upon grace believers.
If you look at the dictionary explanation, Hyper – “hyperactive or unusually energetic” and for grace – the free and unmerited favour of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.
So am I energetic for the free and unmerited favour of God then I am guilty and proud to be labelled hyper-grace “hallelujah “. I find it very insulting that you try and little God’s power to the limitations of your human mind. God’s grace has no boundaries, there is no certain performances and certain frequencies that his grace does not cover. How can you think that you can get to heaven in your own merit? It is all about what Jesus done at the cross for us, all about the blood.
I do think that being labelled hyper-grace is misleading. In fact, I will go as far as it doesn’t exist. They try and point out that it justifies bad lifestyles. My lifestyle is amazing, and I am so much in love with Jesus and each day I draw closer and closer working on my person connection with him. I thank him every day for everything he has done for me.
Let’s look at Luke 23: 39-43, where Jesus and the thieves are crucified on Golgotha (Calvary).
Luke 23:39-43 39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
There is always someone who will argue you against the truth by stating something that they cannot prove but will attempt to by using some argument that has nothing to do with the context they are trying to convince you.
The evidence that we have been given is the bible itself and this is our way to use God’s word, the bible has not once been verified false. We have faith in what God has done for us and what he will do for us because he has told us so. When Jesus at any point said verily, I say to you, basically Listen up I am going to tell you the truth so pay attention. Then you do, the biggest argument is that how is Jesus in heaven today when he was buried and then rose on the third. There is no way he was with the thief in paradise or paradise was not in heaven but another place. Then they will look at the commas and the text saying today I tell the truth and so on and on. The first thing is when you die and you are absent from your body you are presence with the Father. The second thing is the bible was written in Greek and then translated so having an argument about English grammar is a poor argument.
Sin is any action, feeling, or thought that goes against God’s standards. It includes breaking God’s laws by doing what is wrong, or unrighteous, in God’s sight, missing the mark. When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, this was the first human sin but Satan carried out the first sin in Ezekiel 28:14–15
Ezekiel 28:14–15, Satan is judged as an exalted being when iniquity (sin) was found in him. He was an elevated Cherub but fell from his lofty height.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
I love this verse in scripture, but the gift of God is eternal life. Hallelujah, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus. Not by my works or what I do but the gift of God through Jesus
Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Not through works should any man boast, we are created in Jesus Christ on to good works. This tells us one more time that we bring nothing with us to our redemption, and that any good works we perform are not the ground of our status before God but result from us having been chosen and gifted with salvation: “By grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God”
(Eph. 2:8). Grace, by definition, excludes the slightest hint that human merit contributes to our righteous standing before our God and it is his glory, not ours.
You do not stand in front of God and say Lord I have repented my sins once a week and I have regularly contributed to the church, and I helped this old woman cross the road. I prayed 10 times a day and I have never sinned. The first thing God will say let’s add being a liar to your massive sinful list for a start.
What I will be saying is Lord I bring nothing to you I am a dirty rag. I tried to walk in your son’s footsteps but I fall short, as I am a sinner. I believe in your son Jesus who promised me that I will see him in paradise as he promised me that would be enough.
If we then decide that it is not the gift of God but by the works that we do then we must look at the law of God. Most Christians think this is the 10 commandments, but I can assure you there is 613 laws of God. I will list them here and where to find them in the bible.
What is Sin? In the dictionary sin is an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law. In the original translations of the Bible, means “to miss the mark.” The mark, in this case, is the standard of perfection established by God and evidenced by Jesus. Viewed in that light, it is clear that we are all sinners.
When in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve had only one command from God they did not know Good or Evil. Not to eat the fruit of Good and Evil. They were guilty of one sin as it is said in the bible passage
James 2:10 “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” So once again it is saying that if you are guilty of one sin then you are guilty of them all. The wages of that is death.
I want to look at the phrase hyper-grace that work-based churches label us when we believe that we are saved by grace alone and nothing else will stop us being saved and we will be always saved. Hyper definition in the dictionary is Hyper – high-strung, excitable also: highly excited. If I am guilty of being highly excited that I am saved and cannot wait for the Lord’s return, then I am guilty as charged. I will wear that t-shirt proudly as I walk with that feeling of being saved forever. Proud that my father gave his only son to save me.
People have made the bible far too complicated for themselves. In Matthew 18:3
Matthew 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Children have a way of believing everything you say and believing it as fact. It’s only when we grow up that we tend to question everything. The currency of the kingdom of heaven is faith. It’s what moves God’s heart and what the great people of God are known for. So, Jesus is telling us, “have faith like a child”.
Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. It is all about having that relationship with Jesus get to know him, talk to him ask him for help, ask him for advice, ask him to forgive your sins that you have done, thank him for what he has done for us and what he will do for us. He loves you and wants you in paradise with him.
I do see that both sides argue about the will of the father in
Matthew 7: Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Some say that the will of the father is to repent and pick your cross up for his place in heaven and that the grace believer is not doing the will of the father. In John 6:40 it clearly tells us what the will of the father is
John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that everyone which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Translated roughly to And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
So is picking up your cross works that you have to earn yourself a place in heaven. The first person that I look to is Paul who was tortured, beaten and persecuted for believing in Christ. In
Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
In Roman times, the cross was seen as a terrifying object of torture, suffering, and execution. If you were carrying a cross, you were on your way to be crucified. So if you are thinking that you are carrying your cross are you terrified about the torture that you are going to endure and then be executed. When Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane Jesus is praying to God The Father. He is sweating drops of blood because He is so petrified in His humanity of the events that were about to unfold. He knew very well that He was about to be taken away and sentenced to death on a cross. He prays the prayer,
Matthew 26:39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” To carry your cross is to fully trust in God, we try and life our life according to what God has taught us.
I believe in my Lord Jesus our King. He paid it all on the cross and nothing I can do will change that. I do nothing to enter the Kingdom of Heaven apart from the gift of God. I believe in his son Jesus and that I am a sinner. I confessed this to you and I try not to sin but fall short. I continue to Love and Praise my King and forever grateful for what he has done for us.
If the church you attend is apart of a bigger organisation then the pastor or leader is bound by the rules of it. I find that the bigger it is the more taste it has for money and less of God and what the bible advises us. The pastor or leader must abide by the organisation’s rules and regulations even if it goes against their own beliefs or the word of God. I find this a bad doctrine or bad lifestyle choice. They need you to attend that church and they need that money. If you are constrained by this needing to work out your place in heaven through the church then I beg you to find Jesus now.