"If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin."

1 John 1:6-7

The gospel is the message of Jesus Christ bringing both sanctification from our sin and justification of our spirits so that we may be empowered to say no to the sinful flesh once strengthened by the Holy Spirit. To treat the message of Christ as simply pardon from transgressions and nothing more is limiting the true power that lies behind His death and resurrection.

There is a trend in the body of Christ that is being labeled as "extreme grace." The phrase has been used to refer to so many things, but mainly it is a classification of behavior that abuses the grace of God by using it as a license to sin. The licentiousness behind the belief says, "If God is so forgiving and loving, I can remain in my current sinful nature and still be accepted by Him."

It's true that God loves us and will accept us even in our broken and sinful nature because we will never be without sin in this lifetime. But to say that God doesn't want us to grow progressively out of specific sinful patterns is far from the truth.

The main reason why God wants you out of the occurrence of specific sin patterns is because sin is destructive and God doesn't want you to be stuck in the same rut forever. It's only until we grow out of the idolatry of money that we achieve true financial breakthrough. It's only until we conquer sexual impurity that we can enjoy the fullness of our sexuality and even the fullness of our marriages.

God's purpose and intent for us is always breakthrough and fullness. The latter part of John 10:10 tells us that Jesus came "...that they may have life and have it abundantly." God wants our lives free of the consequence and the occurrence of sin. There is nothing good about sin. While it is there, we will be forever in conflict with ourselves, with others and often even with God.

The good news, however, is that God has provided us with a way out. His grace is not only a "free pass" into holiness paid by the blood of Christ but also an enabling presence that teaches us to say no to ungodliness. 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us, "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."