I am troubled with Preachers who should know better. We hear the good Preachers preaching God’s Grace. We hear the cherished words of God’s love in sending His Son, Jesus Christ as Savior. God’s Grace lifts our souls to worship! Salvation is a free gift and “Jesus paid it all!” Paul, in the Bible tells us that this the message is the only message that gives power to salvation (Romans 1 verses 16 17. Praise God for Preachers like that!)

However, then comes the shocker at the end of the message with the words: “Believe in Jesus Christ and "turn from your sin!” It is like ice cold shower over your head! A message of Grace turned sour.  From there on it is not, any longer a Gospel message, but rather a message of human origin and confuses non-believers as well as believers! We go home condemned with heads hanging down.

Let's remember that the Greek word for the English word “Repent” has the connotation of  "changing one’s mind" (in relation to Jesus death and resurrection) God never requires from us have to “turn from sin” to be saved. It is impossible! We just have to turn to Him. Otherwise, how many sins do we have to turn from? 100%, 50% or 10%?

Why, after all, did Jesus Christ have to die? It was required by the Law that the “Righteous” has to die for the unrighteous. Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins and was raised from death to prove his transaction. That is the requirement of living with God forever in Heaven! Sin is not the real issue any longer. Sin does not have to be redeemed again. The issue now is if we are ready to “yield” to God's message of liberation of sin and start living new lives. After Salvation Holiness is the issue. The message after trusting Jesus Christ as Savior is not whether we want to continue to work for our salvation, but rather if we are willing to yield to God’s commands. The more we yield, the more we will (sooner of later) turn from sin. We cannot "turn from sin" before God's Holy Spirit comes into our lives.  We don’t work for our salvation any more. We, work out our salvation!

A person, who trusts Jesus as Savior will sooner or later hopefully turn from sin more and more as mature Christian. That goes without saying. But to tell people that they must trusting Jesus as Savior and believe in Him and then also to “turn their sin” is destructive and confusing preaching that will save nobody. One of the the reason we don't see too many authentic Christians today is because people have been misguided and have never experienced God’s Grace to Salvation. I even wonder how many "Christians" are really "born again believers"). Many are too are controlled by the defeat in trying to stop sinning. There has not really been any change in their hearts.

We are so concerned about this issue of “turning from sin” that many of us seem to almost worship it. We give Satan too much power to confuse seekers and already believers alike. We have to “Repent"!” (change our minds) about the issue and start majoring on God’s act of Grace instead.

We cannot justify “believe and turn from sin” as requirement for receiving God's Salvation!. It saves nobody. It is a shallow message that makes non-believers, as well as, already believers confused and but push them back to pre-salvation shackles. 

Why is it so hard for us to talk about this issue? Sometimes I even wonder if we understand each others. It is not a question about “easy-believism.” Some believe this "Grace message"message will not  make genuine Disciples of Christ to fill our churches and pay the bills.. Well, sad to say the message of “believe and turn from sin!”will keep unsaved people as unsaved as they have ever been.