But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?” Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—”Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just! Romans 3:5-8

I was teaching a Bible study to a group of high school students 25 years ago, and one of the students asked this: “if sex is sin and sin is forgiven, is sex in?” I believe I pointed him to this passage of Scripture that points out the fallacy of the if A=B and B=C, then A=C logic as it relates to sin. I’m afraid that many people, though, they would never admit it, still espouse the doctrine of the high school student.

For a number of years I’ve called it the greasy grace theory. It’s one thing to sin, but an entirely different thing to sin willfully time and time again, knowing full well that you will be forgiven if you ask God to forgive. It’s not how grace works. Yes, God forgives us when we sin. Yes he restores us into fellowship after the sin, but to willfully sin is putting God to the test. Jesus condemned that kind of action when Satan tempted him (Luke 4:12).

Psalm 78:18 notes one incident when they put Him to the test.

Are there willful acts of disobedience and sin in your life? There is no better time than the present to confess that willful disobedience and make your life right.