Relentless Expectation

IS IT POSSIBLE TO MISS THE GRACE OF GOD?

The Biggest Lie of Feel-Good Religion

One of the biggest lies people believe today is that you can be saved and live a successful life without ever having your heart changed to the deepest core. Meaning that you still love the world, you will still be addicted to your flesh – but that you are somehow saved. Some people say, “God did everything, you just have to agree with it,” and that’s it. But that’s not what the Bible teaches.

A Serious Question About Romans 8:1

Someone might ask:
“I’m confused. Romans 8:1 says that if I’m in Christ Jesus, I’m not under condemnation (not guilty). But when I read the King James Version, it says something different—it makes it sound like I have to live perfectly ‘in the Spirit’ to be free from guilt. I mess up every day. I have anxious thoughts and still struggle with sin. I relate a lot to Paul in Romans 7 when he talks about his own struggles. If the King James Version is right, does that mean I’m not truly saved? That’s scary. Can you help explain this?”

A Few Important Truths

1. Yes you can live in obedience to God—because of His grace.
Some people think being right with God is only about our “position” in Christ and not about how we live. But that’s not true. Grace doesn’t mean we give up trying to live in daily obedience to God. Grace gives us the power to live for God—even if we stumble. Don’t let your failures make you believe obedience is impossible.

2. God still loves you, even when you mess up.
God doesn’t break His covenant with you the moment you sin. He is patient and works with us even when we disobey. But the Bible also warns us not to keep living in sin without turning back to Him. The book of 1 John makes that clear: if we truly love God, we’ll keep coming back to Him through faith and repentance and by the power of the Holy Spirit live for Him.

3. Salvation isn’t just about “Am I saved?”
Sometimes we focus too much on checking a box: “Am I saved? Yes or no?” Obviously, salvation is a huge promise and reward. But God wants more than just a status—He wants a relationship. He wants us to say, “Lord, I want to live in a way that pleases You.” (Ephesians 5:10)

A Marriage Example

Imagine a husband saying to his wife:
“Are we still married? Did I do enough today to make sure we’re still together?”
Instead, he should say:
“I love you. You’re amazing. I’m thankful for you.”

The marriage is real, but the relationship is what makes it alive. It’s the same with God. We don’t need to keep checking on our “spiritual paperwork”—we need to grow in love with God. That’s the danger of shallow religion: it makes us focus on checking theological boxes instead of truly loving God.

The Real Questions We Should Ask:

• Do I truly love Jesus?
  (Don’t panic—God is helping you love Him. He’s working in your heart, showing you how amazing He is. But you still have to respond.)
• Am I amazed by Jesus’ sacrifice for me?
  He gave His life to pull you out of darkness and into His light.
• Am I growing in grace and understanding?
  Are you learning more about Him and wanting more of Him?
• Do I want to be close to God every day?
  Are you hungry to know Him more?

Jesus’ Sacrifice Is Not Small

Jesus didn’t just die because He had to. He gave His life because of our sin. That’s not something we should treat lightly or casually. He didn’t die just because it was part of a plan—He died because we were lost, and His love was that strong.

So don’t try to earn His love. Don’t follow God just to check theological boxes or perform rituals. Live from a place of grace.

God’s Grace Helps Us Live Right

“It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace…” — Hebrews 13:9 (NIV)

“The grace of God… teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.” — Titus 2:11–12 (NIV)

A Final Thought

Some people think grace is only about being forgiven. But grace also includes God’s power to change our hearts. Some Christian thinkers (like John Wesley) believed that if we accept God’s forgiveness but reject His power to change us, we actually miss the full gift of grace.

So yes—grace saves you, but grace also transforms you.