Does God’s Grace Mean It’s Okay to Sin? (Living a Holy Life)
Since God is gracious and forgiving, does that mean He doesn’t care how we live? Does God’s forgiveness mean it’s okay to live a life of disobedience to His commands while still claiming to know and follow Jesus? Understanding the biblical answers to these questions—and God’s heart behind those answers—is important for sincerely coming to faith in Jesus, maturing as Christians, and thriving in our relationship with Him. In this episode, we’ll look at two truths from Scripture about how God expects His followers to live and how He helps us do that.
See below for episode notes, Scriptures, and resources.
1. God Calls All Christians to Live a Holy Life
In the Bible, holy speaks of moral purity, being set apart from sin, and being dedicated to God and His purposes. When we put our faith in Jesus, God makes us holy by forgiving our sins, declaring us righteous, and setting us apart as His people. And because we are God’s holy people, He calls us to be holy in our conduct—living a life devoted to Him and obedient to His Word.
Salvation isn’t something we can earn through good deeds, but that doesn’t mean God doesn’t care how we live once we’re saved. The same grace that makes salvation available to us also teaches us to turn from sin and live righteously for God. If a message about God’s grace gives us an excuse to keep sinning rather than encouraging us to live a holy life, it’s a misunderstanding of biblical grace.
Scripture References:
- 1 Corinthians 1:2
- 1 Corinthians 6:11
- 1 Peter 1:13–16
- 2 Timothy 3:16–17
- Titus 2:11–14
- Romans 6:1–13
- John 14:15–24
2. God Helps Every Christian to Live a Holy Life
Just as we can’t save ourselves from sin through our own merit or power, we can’t change ourselves or live by God’s standards in our own strength. But the good news is we don’t have to! When we become Christians, the Holy Spirit gives us a new nature that desires and is capable of pleasing God. This is called regeneration.
Then, throughout our lives, the Holy Spirit progressively transforms our desires, thoughts, attitudes, and actions to help us become more like Jesus. This process is called sanctification. He gives us the desire and power to obey God, teaches us His Word, reminds us of His commands, convicts us when we’re wrong, and helps us realign our lives with Scripture. God doesn’t just call us to holiness; He equips and empowers us to live it out.
Scripture References:
- Galatians 5:16–25
- Ephesians 4:21–24
- Philippians 1:6
- Philippians 2:12–13
- John 14:26
- John 16:8–13
- 2 Timothy 1:9
- 2 Peter 1:3
Additional Resources for Your Walk With Jesus
- What Does It Mean to Know Jesus? — Learn what it means to become a Christian and receive God’s gift of salvation. [Insert episode link]
- What Happens When You Put Your Faith in Jesus? — Explore how salvation changes your life spiritually, including the new life Jesus gives you through the Holy Spirit. [Insert episode link]
Books on holiness, godly character, and God’s grace: - Holy Unto the Lord by Luke Lefevre
- Why Do I Do What I Don’t Want to Do? by Jonathan “JP” Pokluda
- Crazy Happy by Daniel Fusco (Read my book review here)
Let’s Talk
Leave a comment and tell me how this discussion impacted your understanding of living a holy life. Discuss this episode in the comments below.
