GRACE AND SIN. BY DIDI-OMAH AUGUSTINE CHINAZAEKPERE

When ask about grace and sin, I have come to realise that we overemphasized on grace and underestimate sin. We speak more on grace, grace this, grace that. And overlooked sin.

We permit sins, and talk of grace, far be it. 

-The Story of the Adulterous Woman — Grace Meets Truth

We find this story in John 8:1–11. The scribes and Pharisees bring a woman caught in adultery before Jesus. They say:

> “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us that such should be stoned. What do you say?” 

Jesus stoops and writes on the ground. They press Him. Then He stands and says:

> “He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone.” 

One by one, the accusers leave. When all are gone, Jesus says to the woman:

> “Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?”

“No one, Lord,” she said.

Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and sin no more.” 

Key points to emphasise:

Jesus does not deny her sin. She was caught in adultery. He does not pretend it never happened. Truth is acknowledged. 

Yet He offers forgiveness, mercy: “Neither do I condemn you.”

But He does not leave her where she is. He calls her to change: “Go, and sin no more.”

So grace is not the absence of truth. Grace is truth meeting brokenness; mercy paired with a call to transformation.

“Go, and Sin No More” — What It Means

These words are an instruction. They are a call to forsake sin. They are not optional for someone who receives Jesus’ mercy.

It means that although your past is forgiven, your life should show that you are forgiven.

It means turning away from the patterns of sin in your life—not simply apologizing over and over for the same things without trying to change.

It means that grace is not permission to continue in sin with impunity. It is a new standard.

What Paul Teaches: Can We Continue in Sin Because Grace Abounds?

Paul in his letter to the Romans confronts this very question.

Romans 6:1-2:

> “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may abound?”

“Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” 

Paul acknowledges that some people misunderstand grace—thinking that grace gives a license to sin. 

But Paul says clearly: if you have died to sin (that is, when you became one with Christ, were liberated from sin’s dominion), then you can’t go on living as though sin still rules you. 

Grace empowers us to live differently—newness of life, righteousness, obedience—not because we earn salvation, but because the Spirit works in us. 

Grace Is Real — But It Has Limits (In the Sense That It Requires Response)

We must understand what grace does not do:

Grace does not tolerate sin as though it does not matter.

Grace does not negate responsibility.

Grace does not free us to be casual about sin.

Grace is not a shield behind which we hide unrepentant sin.

While God’s forgiveness is deep and wide, there is a limit in that grace demands repentance and transformation. Ignoring sin, denying truth for the sake of worldly acceptance, bringing into the church behavior that the Bible calls sinful without calling it sin — these are dangerous. They distort grace into license. They hurt souls.

Risks in Telling Someone “This Is Sin” When Modern Culture Accepts It

In our age:

Many sins which the Bible identifies (sexual immorality, pride, impurity, same-sex relations when interpretated as contrary to biblical teaching, indecent appearance, dishonesty, etc.) are viewed as normal or acceptable.

Telling someone in our culture “that is sin” risks rejection, criticism, accusations of bigotry or hate.

But:

We must not surrender truth for peace.

Love demands being honest. Grace demands truth.

We must speak with humility and gentleness—but also with courage.

Silence in the face of sin because it is socially accepted is a betrayal of the Gospel.

On the Death of Charlie Kirk — Truth, Mourning, and Proclamation

From credible confirmation that Charlie Kirk, Christian activist, died on September 10, 2025 from being shot.

However, I ask for the Church must do:

Mourn: The loss of a life, especially a young life, is terrible. We grieve. We pray for his family. We weep with those who weep.

Speak truth: If he was killed because he stood for Christian values, or because his faith made him a target, the Church must not hush up the reality. There is spiritual warfare; there is truth that must be proclaimed.

Declare Christ’s sovereignty: Even in death, Christ is Lord. Even in persecution, in slaughter, Christ’s truth shines.

Encourage the Church and his family to hold fast: do not shrink back. Do not deny the hope of the Gospel. In the face of hatred, sin, persecution, Christ still calls us to holiness, love, boldness.

Lesbian, Gay, Indecent Appearance — The Church’s Silence and Acceptance

We must speak plainly out of Scripture:

The Bible sets sexual ethics, boundary of modesty, and calls for holiness in appearance. It speaks of indecent appearance as something that dishonors both the body and God.

Many churches today in many parts of the world are silent on such issues, or try to accommodate or redefine things.

What should the Church do?

Love the person, hate the sin. Every human is made in God’s image, has dignity, must be treated with compassion.

Speak truth: If the Bible defines certain behaviors as sinful, we must not make them “neutral” or “just different lifestyles” in our preaching.

Avoid hypocrisy: If we call others to holiness, we ourselves must walk in it. Integrity matters.

Provide hope: Grace not only forgives, but transforms. There is power in Christ to overcome desires, to live righteously, to resist temptation.

Grace vs. Sin — Strong Differentiation

Grace: God’s unmerited favor, forgiveness through Christ 

Sin: Rebellion against God, things God calls wrong

Grace: Brings redemption, new life, a new identity 

Sin: Brings death, separation, bondage

Offers mercy and second chances Demands repentance and change

Empowers holiness, fruit of the Spirit Leads to guilt, shame, consequences

Calls for transformation If unrepented, leads to judgment

This Is My Advice: How to Walk in Grace Without Sinning (or Struggling)

1. Repent quickly — When you see sin, don’t hide, don’t justify. Confess, turn away.

2. Daily relationship with Jesus — Prayer, reading the Word, abiding in Christ. The closer you are, the less sin can dominate.

3. Be in a community — Church, small group, discipleship. Honest accountability.

4. Avoid places, people, things that feed temptation — Not to judge others, but to guard yourself.

5. Walk by the Spirit — Let the Spirit guide your choices; ask for strength, resist desires that pull you away.

6. Allow grace to transform motives — Not just behavior modifications, but heart change.

My Final Word — A Call

If you are hearing this:

Know that Christ’s arms are open to you. If you have sinned, especially in things many say are “normal,” God still forgives.

But receive not only forgiveness—receive the call: sin no more. Do not settle for being forgiven but unchanged.

The Church, do not be passive. Speak truth. Love deeply. Let grace shine, not be diluted.

If the story of Charlie Kirk is true, let it stir courage in us. Let us be bold in standing on Gospel truth, even if it costs us things—relationships, popularity, maybe risks.

Grace is wonderful. Sin is serious. They are not opposites where grace cancels morality. Grace enables moral transformation. May the Lord give us courage to live out that truth with love, boldness, mercy, and holiness.

© Didi-Omah Augustine Chinazaekpere 

Founder, DIDI-OMAH