Life in the Way

When Does God Forgive Too Much?

When I was at seminary there were several discussions about cheap grace.  Throughout history Christians debated how far God will go to forgive an individual, but the conversations and debates always seemed to leave me feeling a little unresolved.  Cheap grace can be defined as the expectation that regardless of the sin or amount of repeat sins, God’s grace is enough to cover it.  While I believe that, as one continues to repeat the same sin(s) day in and day out with prayers forgiveness, one begins to wonder does God continue to forgive the sin.  In the case of a life long alcoholic, how does God handle the bondage that continues to hold the person captive to sin(s).

When one prays for forgiveness and change that doesn’t come expediently or at all, who is to blame? God, society, family, the individual.  I feel that blame (or diagnosing the cause) is important because recognition of the core issue is necessary to address in regards to reconciliation.  What are your thoughts on perennial sin?  What is the extent of God’s grace?

Personally, I like the parental nurture and rearing model of God’s love, but I realize that everyone concept of parenting is a little skewed towards their own experience.  The problem for me, in regards to growing spiritually and sin is the prodigal son story once the prodigal comes home  (Luke 15:11-32).  Jesus tells this parable only to the point of the celebration.

I had a seminary professor that asked his class the question about what the breakfast table looked like the next morning, and the morning after that, and the morning after that…  I think his point begin that the prodigal might come home and stay home and change, but the prodigal is still the prodigal - just safe under the auspices of the father’s house.  Was there anything that changed in him?  what was it?  was it his status from being dead to the family to being restored to life?  was it his personality?  was it his loyalty?  was it his spirit?  was it a combination of many things?  was it nothing?

So, what if we continue in sinful behavior wanting to change, repenting, yet continuing?  Some would say that you really don’t want the change enough or to stop enough, so God honor’s your will, knows where you are and the causes behind your lack of desire and continues offering grace.  Others might argue that we are just inextricably stuck in sin both socially and personally.  And others, well -

what do you think about the striving for perfection (righteousness) with a lifetime of sins behind and the probability of sins in front?  How many times can the prodigal leave home and still be welcomed back?  How many times can the same sheep take off into the wilderness before it becomes dinner?  How deep is God’s grace?