No, grace is not a license to sin.
Les Feldick consistently teaches that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works, but that this freedom never permits lawlessness. He emphasizes that grace changes our desires and motives, and that believers are still called to walk pleasing in God's sight. The security of forgiveness is not an excuse for wrongdoing.
Romans 6:14 — Declares believers are not under law but under grace, which is the context where Paul addresses the question of license.
The Apostle Paul acknowledges the accusation that preaching grace leads to license, but he rejects it. In Romans 3:7 he quotes the slanderous charge: 'For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?' He also instructs believers in Romans 6:14, 'For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.' This indicates that being under grace does not mean sin has free reign, but rather that it no longer has dominion.
Les Feldick repeatedly affirms that grace is never a license to sin. He states, 'Grace is not license' and explains that while believers are not under the law, this does not give them the freedom to do as they please. Rather, grace changes our appetites and motives. He also notes that the gospel of grace will be slanderously reported as teaching license, but that is not what he or Paul advocate. Believers are still called to walk and live pleasing in God's sight. Les also connects our salvation to God's sovereign grace, which forgives past, present, and future sins, yet this security does not justify a careless lifestyle.
Yes. Les teaches that grace 'simply changes our appetites and it changes our motives' [Clip 1]. This transformation is the believer's new power to live righteously, not a license to indulge sin. The presence of the Holy Spirit guides believers away from lawlessness [Clip 3].
Les acknowledges that God's grace forgives past, present, and future sins, but he immediately insists, 'That's not license. I have never advocated that' [Clip 4]. Even though all sins are forgiven, believers 'still have to walk and work and live pleasing in His sight' [Clip 4].
Les emphasizes that eternal security and God's mercy are not reasons to sin. He says, 'Now, that's not license' when discussing believers' security in Christ [Clip 6]. Instead, believers should rest in God's purpose and grace, which was given before the world began [Clip 0], and live as those who have been shown mercy [Clip 7].
Salvation by Grace
Les describes salvation as calling us according to God's own purpose and grace, not our works, which underscores the basis of grace.
Grace is Not License
Les directly states that grace is not license and that it changes our appetites and motives, not our freedom to sin.
Justification by Faith: What Does It Really Mean?
Verse 14, for sin, that old Adam nature, shall not have dominion or control or a reigning rule over you, for you are not under the law, you're under what? Grace. Now, few people comprehend the grace of God. I think most people understand the definition, its unmerited favor, but that's as far as they can go with it.
Freedom Under Grace
Les teaches that being under grace does not make us lawless; we are led by the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Forgiveness and Responsibility
Les explains that even though all sins are forgiven, that is not license; believers must still live pleasing to God.
Grace Greater Than Sin
Les emphasizes that grace always goes further than man's greatest sin, but he immediately clarifies that this is not license.
Eternal Security and License
Les insists that trusting in God's promises and eternal security is not license to sin.
Sovereign Grace
Les uses the analogy of pardoned prisoners to show that we escape judgment only by God's grace, not because we deserve it, and does not tie this to license.
Romans 6:14: For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
This verse is central to the question because Paul explicitly contrasts law and grace, showing that grace does not mean sin's dominion.
II Timothy 1:9: Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
Les quotes this verse to show that salvation is based on God's grace, not our works, which is the foundation for understanding that grace is not a license.
Les teaches that grace is never a license to sin. He says, 'Grace is not license' and explains that grace changes our appetites and motives, leading us to live righteously, not to sin freely.
No. Les explicitly denies this. He states that grace is not license and that believers are called to walk and live pleasing in God's sight, even though they are not under the law.
Yes, Les acknowledges that God's grace forgives past, present, and future sins, but he immediately insists that this is not license. Believers must still live holy lives.
Watch the Teaching: Does God Harden Hearts? Romans 9:18-24 and the Potter's Clay