Most Christians today believe grace means this:
*“I came to Jesus, I’m forgiven, and when I sin I just ask forgiveness again.”*
They believe they are still clean, still undefiled, still in communion with God — even while repeatedly returning to sin, worldliness, pride, and self-will.
**This is not biblical grace.**
**This is a counterfeit gospel.**
Grace was never permission to live how we want.
Grace is **the power of God to transform us into the image of Christ**.
*“A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.”* (Matthew 7:18)
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## 
What Grace Actually Is (and What It Is Not)
Romans 6:14 — “Sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”
Titus 2:11–12 — “The grace of God… trains us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.”
1 John 2:6 — “Whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked.”
Grace does not excuse sin.
Grace **destroys sin’s authority**.
If grace does not change how you live, it is not grace—it is deception.
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## 
Abiding in Christ: The Source of All Righteousness
John 15:4–5 — “Abide in Me, and I in you… apart from Me you can do nothing.”
1 John 3:24 — “Whoever keeps His commandments abides in God, and God in him.”
John 14:23 — “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word… and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”
Colossians 1:27 — “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Abiding is not emotional.
Abiding is **obedient union**.
Jesus never separated abiding from obedience — the modern church did.
Abiding means:
• Christ **dwells** in you
• His will becomes **your will**
• His life flows **through you**
• His fruit is produced **by Him, not you**
John 15:10 — “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love.”
We Know God gives grace as He pleases, but He gives abundantly when we abide.
Abiding is what provides the grace to walk like Jesus.
It’s more than just obeying His commands. Obeying His simple commands leads us to follow the whole law as it was meant to be.
That is, loving each other, just like Jesus does.
The whole law is fulfilled by us walking like Jesus. Don’t you see?
But we can’t do that without using what He gave us, so
Crucifixion comes next — but only after abiding is real.
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## 
Circumcision of the Heart & the Reality of the Flesh
Jeremiah 17:9 — “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.”
Ezekiel 36:26–27 — “I will give you a new heart… and cause you to walk in My statutes.”
Ezekiel 36:25 — “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean.”
James 1:8 — “A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
Hebrews 4:12 — “The word of God… dividing soul and spirit.”
When we are born again, **God truly circumcises the heart**.
Something is cut away and made holy.
But the **mind and flesh remain**, capable of pulling us back unless continually submitted. This is why double-mindedness exists — and why purification is necessary.
We are commanded to love God with our WHOLE heart. Not part.
Only God can purify the heart.
Our role is surrender and obedience to the things commanded.
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## 
Purification & Humility: Foot Washing Is Not Metaphor
John 13:10 (NLT) — “Those who have bathed need only to wash their feet… And you are clean.”
John 13:14–17 — “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet… Blessed are you if you do these things.”
Foot washing was **not practical**.
It was **not merely symbolic**.
It was **spiritual purification**.
This was a **grace-gift** given by Christ so His people could remain clean and in communion while walking in a defiled world.
Without humility and purification, communion becomes hollow.
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## 
Communion: Spiritual Cleansing Through the Body & Blood
1 Corinthians 11:23–26 — “This is My body… This cup is the new covenant in My blood.”
Romans 6:6 — “Our old self was crucified with Him.”
Galatians 2:20 — “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”
Galatians 5:24 — “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh.”
Colossians 3:1–3 — “You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Communion is not just remembrance.
It is **participation**.
When we partake:
• The flesh is **crucified**
• The old man is **put to death**
• Christ’s life is **imparted**
• Grace **empowers obedience**
Foot washing prepares the heart —
**Communion crucifies the flesh and cleanses the spirit**.
This is where grace actually transforms.
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### A Necessary Reminder (Not the Focus)
1 Corinthians 11:28 — “Let a person examine himself.”
Matthew 5:23–24 — “Leave your gift at the altar and be reconciled to your brother.”
Communion is not mechanical.
It requires humility and submission — not perfection, but sincerity before God.
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## 
Fruit Is the Evidence of True Grace
Matthew 7:17–18 — Good trees bear good fruit
Galatians 5:22–23 — Fruit of the Spirit
Philippians 2:13 — “It is God who works in you.”
Grace always produces fruit.
No fruit = no abiding.
No abiding = deception.
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## FINAL WAKE-UP CALL
Grace has been weaponized into **comfort without transformation**.
But biblical grace produces:
• Obedience
• Holiness
• Humility
• Fruit
• Christ Himself living in us
“Be holy, for I am holy.”
“Walk as He walked.”
These are not metaphors.
This is not legalism.
This is **covenantal life through Christ**.
**Grace does not excuse sin — it destroys it.**
Walk in Christ. 
Get to the table and wash some doggone feet!
