Does the Christian have the ability to live as he pleases and still be saved? Based upon the merits of grace, yes, he does. Let me explain. Because our eternal position before God is established by an act of simple faith, it is not altered in any way by our works—either good or bad, past, present, or future. Salvation is a work which God both grants and preserves with His power (I Peter 1:5).

Nevertheless, we cannot neglect the responsibility that comes with grace. While the Christian is not required to get better to be saved, he must have the understanding that he was saved to get better. The wages of sin is still death, yet, for the Christian, his death is not eternal.

Christians who intentionally live in sin are wrecking their own lives, making a mockery of the work of the Holy Spirit within them. As a result, they will experience the severe chastening of the Lord. When they stand before God, they will have to explain why they lived the way they did, and they will be held accountable for the people they led astray.

The Lord’s justice cannot rest forever. Will you put yourself in a position to receive His wrath? Or will you serve Him faithfully with a pure heart? Now is the time to make the decision!