Is Pure Grace Without Works Heretical Teachings?

This preaching of Grace without works has appeared throughout Christian history, but has always been considered a heresy by many self righteous churches. However, as I have already covered the main two criticisms in my first post, here I will cover the common name calling against Grace

Another Gospel

Galatians 1:6-9 states "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into thegrace of Christ unto another gospel:Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."

Diverse and Strange Doctrines

Hebrews13:9 states "Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein."

I find it amazing that in both verses, the Lord made sure that Grace is mentioned, so as to ensure that the Gospel of Grace is never mistaken for "strange doctrine" or "another gospel"

Seducing Spirits and Doctrines of Devils

Here is another verse to ponder, and gives further rebuke to the "License to sin" argument I covered in my previous post

1 Timothy 4:1-3 states "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth."

Interestingly, I always thought that "seducing spirits and doctrines of devils" will be seducing us to be more free to do evil things right? Instead the examples of "forbidding to marry and abstaining from meats" seem to sound more like laws don't they?

Furthermore, I have always heard preaching that "conscience seared with a hot iron" means we become numb to sin that our conscience no longer bothers us. A simple question. When you are burnt, with a hot iron or any other hot injury that permanently disfigures but doesn't kill the nerves, will your injury be more sensitive or numb? I think the answer is more sensitive don't you agree?

Thus I put it out there that I think "having their conscience seared with a hot iron" means a oversensitive sin conscienceness rather than a numbed conscience.

Strange Fire

I have heard this before, that the doctrine of Grace without works is "strange fire"

Let us look where this is from.

Leviticus 10:1-2 states "And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD."

Why did God kill these sons of Aaron? What did God "commanded them not"? What is this strange fire?

Leviticus 16:11-12 states "And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bullock of the sin offering which is for himself. And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail:"

Amazing isn't it? The fire that is to be used MUST come from the altar of the sin offering, not any old fire from matches or from a torch conveniently nearby!

AND who is our Sin Offering? Jesus! God's undeserved favour upon us! Grace! This verses speaks to us NOT to offer strange fire (your own works) rather fire from the alter of the sin offering (Jesus)!

Fallen From Grace

The most common usage of this phrase is when a man of God, usually a Christian or at least a "morally upright" man is caught commiting a sin. Would this doctrine of Grace make one "fall from grace"?

Galatians 5:4 states "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law, ye are fallen from grace"

Amazing isn't it? Paul writes that if you try to be justified by the law, you have fallen from Grace!! This verse has nothing to do with "falling into sin"!

Conclusion

It is quite clear from Scripture that doctrine of Grace is not the heresy here. In every one of these names there is a serious accusation, from being another gospel, for being from seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, from being a diverse and strange doctrine or strange fire and of falling from Grace. However in ALL of them, the Bible talks about Grace being the opposite of them!

Thus is the belief in Grace without works heresy? It should be clear, quoting the exact same scriptures these famous labels are taken from it is the complete opposite. It is offering your works rather than God's Grace that is:

• "another gospel"
• "diverse and strange doctrines"
• "giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils"
• "strange fire"
• "fallen from grace"!