It is not a far-fetched proposition that grace can be abused. Taking a Pharisaic approach to salvation is an abuse of grace. If you care to know what this is all about read the boastful list of a Pharisee’s attempt to earn God’s favour in the parable of Jesus in Luke 18. The man in question mentions fasting twice a week as well as paying tithes as at when due. On the basis of his works he was convinced he had a special place in the scheme of God. The moment we think we have enough good works to present to God as credentials, we miss the boat. We need to be reminded that all our works of righteousness are nothing but filthy rags before God. No man can be justified by the works of the law. When we hold on to works, we forfeit grace.

“The safety valve is what the Bible describes as a broken and contrite spirit.  This frame of mind neither boasts of any personal accomplishment nor lives indulgently. Such people simply tremble at the word of God.”

The other way people abuse grace is by having a “liberal-minded” approach to God. A liberal does not parade any good works. He actually does not see himself capable of producing any. Consequently he settles to a lascivious lifestyle on the guise that no one can do any good anyway, and on the ground that God being merciful, He will always overlook sin. Individuals with this frame of mind forget that we cannot continue in sin and expect grace to abound. This was the balance we tried to establish in our previous meditation. We cannot keep emphasizing the goodness of God at the expense of His severity. The safety valve is what the Bible describes as a broken and contrite spirit.  This frame of mind neither boasts of any personal accomplishment nor lives indulgently. Such people simply tremble at the word of God.