Renewing the Mind
Grace Is Not a Licence
Friday, 31 July 2026 · 4 min read · Pastor Ian
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”
Whenever grace is preached clearly, someone asks the question Paul anticipated in Romans 6:1 — shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? His answer is emphatic: by no means.
The fear behind the question assumes that law restrains sin and grace releases it. Scripture says the opposite. Romans 6:14 explains that sin will not be your master precisely because you are not under law but under grace.
Grace teaches
Titus gives grace a job description: it teaches. Grace is not passive; it disciples. Law could describe the target but never supply the ability. Grace supplies both a new nature and the Holy Spirit to express it.
Law demands from the outside. Grace produces from the inside.
If your understanding of grace has made you casual about sin, you have not yet met grace — you have met an excuse. Real grace makes you free, and free people do not run back to the chains.
Confession
Grace teaches me to say no to ungodliness and yes to God. Sin is not my master. I live free and I live holy by the Spirit within me.
Prayer
Dear Father, thank you that grace is not a licence but a power. Teach me by your grace to say no to what harms me and yes to what honours you. I yield to your Spirit today and live free from the mastery of sin, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Further study
- Romans 6:1-14
- Galatians 5:13-25
- 1 Peter 2:16
Bible reading plan
1-year: Romans 6 & Psalms 40-43
2-year: Titus 2 & Isaiah 49