If salvation was truly free, wouldn’t we keep sinning?
Christians say our good works can’t save us. That we’re saved only by accepting the life and death and resurrection of Jesus in our place. Salvation is a gift, undeservedly given - we call this grace. Undeservedly given, not earned. And so, sometimes people say:
“OK, if that was true, wouldn’t it give you a blank cheque, a free pass? Cause you’re saying: Judgment for your sin already been taken - past, present and future. So, surely it wouldn’t matter how you live now? You can do anything and it’s covered…!”
Looking behind the question
I have multiple memories of Muslims in our meetings asked this question, and it really seemed like it came from a desire to protect God’s honour.
For them, following Jesus seemed potentially dishonouring of God because you could have people say that they are covered by Jesus’ blood and then just do whatever they wanted. “Grace baby – it doesn’t matter how I live.”
On the other hand, most times this question is asked, it’s clear that people are grappling with the scandal of grace.
Scandalous because the good news of Jesus is saying we can only be saved because of God’s goodness to us, not us earning or contributing to it. This offer is so very different to the religious and secular culture around us.
God’s grace isn’t a blank cheque
Now, in relation to the question, I would want to say that when you better understand this salvation freely given to us, then you also understand how the blank cheque mentality to do whatever you want, isn’t possible. See, the blank cheque issue (I can do whatever I want now) is only an issue if salvation in Jesus is only a legal transaction*. It’s only an issue if what’s going on here is just a legal transaction. Namely:
‘I’m a sinner under judgment.
The judgment is taken.
Now I can go do what I want.’
But far greater, what’s going on is the formation of a relational commitment. There is a legal transaction (!) but it leads into a far greater relational commitment.
Let’s put this in terms of adoption. Anyone who trusts in Jesus is adopted into Jesus’ family – his Father becomes our Father. And at the end of the day the adoption process isn’t about waving a piece of legal paperwork around which is then used to do whatever you want. No, it’s about enjoying being a part of this family, now living like you’re a part of it. Which you are! Because your position is secured at every point by what your big brother Jesus did to bring you into his family.
Grace means no, not yes, to sin
You see, if we place the ’blank cheque issue’ in that relational context, then we need to ask: Does being in a secure relationship make you more or less likely to sin?
Surely we can grasp that is doesn’t make us more likely to sin. Relationally secure life makes us less likely to sin! If you have a Father who loves you deeply then it makes you less likely to sin. Because you know, when he looks at you he smiles with delight, and you want to please him.
But yes sure, we know that even in this relationship we will sin, often when we forget who we have been remade in Christ. But what next? Will we enjoy our sin? No, we’ll come running back to our daddy’s arms and say: “Father, I messed up. Won’t you please forgive me and help me to change?” And, “Of course my child!’” comes the reply (cf. Psalm 32:5; 1 John 1:9)
Do you see? The secure relationship makes you less likely to run back to your sin. Unconditional love changes and transforms us.
And even there we know that those trusting in Jesus have his Spirit who works to grow us more and more into the likeness of the Son we trust in – to walk nearer and closer to the Father he loves. In other words, unconditional love changes and transforms us.
But conditional love doesn’t! If instead you’re under a person whose love is based on how well you’re doing: Well, not only is that frightfully insecure and leaves you restless in your need to earn. But it also leaves you scheming: “Hmmm maybe he isn’t watching me and I can quickly do this thing.” Or “Maybe I can do it and then try earn over it by doing these good things.”
Friends, there is no blank cheque in Christianity - only a deeply restored relationship that is then lived out. Because as you read the Scriptures you see that for Christians:
- We have been freed FROM sin but freed TO righteousness.
- We are saved BY faith alone, but our faith LEADS to obedience and love.
The good news of the free gift of Jesus shapes our lives from start to finish.
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*A desired h/t. I’m pretty sure that I first heard/read this line of thinking from someone else. But for the life of me I can’t track down the source. So this is me giving a hat-tip to the unknown source.
