Maintaining Balance In Practice And Doctrine

Then comes the rhetorical question: Verse 15, “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!”

The tide of opinion today is to justify all kinds of behavior on the grounds that I am saved by grace and eternally secure. But listen to what Jude says about people who teach grace as a license for sin. Jude 4 “For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.” Now for those who say they had an experience and can live any way they want Jude has a bit more to say. Jude 5 “Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe.” God’s show of mercy is not a license to sin but a call to loving obedience.

IV. Societalism and Evangelism – winning the lost and caring for the church.

Two of the most beautiful words in our New Testament are the words “one another.” We are to love one another, forgive one another, pray for one another, encourage one another, serve one another, etc. Being a part of the family of God is a great privilege and responsibility. There is a separation from the spirit of the world that is to characterize the church. Paul wrote to the Galatians—chapter 6:10 “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Did you notice that last phrase—“especially to those who belong to the family of believers?” There is a certain priority in taking care of our own.

But that can become a problem when we get exclusive and turned inward. The mission of the church goes beyond just taking care of ourselves. We are to be going into the world and making disciples. That means we love and reach stinky sinners. That means we move out of our own comfort zones into their world to bring them the good news. Be careful that church doesn’t just become a great conservative social club where friends who are like-minded meet together to enjoy one another’s company. The world does that. Jesus was without sin. But he was a friend of sinners. We wrestle not against flesh and blood. Our battles is spiritual not political.[8] We are to separate from sin but not from sinners. We are in the world but not of it. We are to care for our own but we are to lovingly reach out to the lost as well.[9]

VI. Service Activity and Spiritual Reflection

The church is first and foremost a spiritual organism. We are to offer unto God spiritual worship.[10] Prayer is to be a priority.[11] And the number one purpose of our lives should be to glorify God and enjoy our relationship with Him. That takes time alone with God. It calls for an emphasis on worship and meditation in the word. When the spiritual is neglected the church begins to operate in the flesh and all kinds of problems occur.

But we are not to spend all our time on the mountain. Jesus prayed sometimes all night. But he also came down and met people’s needs as well.[12] We get full of the Spirit so we are empowered to do the work of the ministry and serve others. There is always this tension between the spiritual and the natural that cannot be ignored. Listen to James’ exhortation on the matter. James 2:14-16 “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?”