Bible Studies

How Does a Person Fall From Grace?

by Michael Edwards 
07/28/15
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Have you ever read a headline about a popular Christian who has fallen from grace? Isn’t the popular belief that a fall from grace means a person took advantage of God’s grace and sinned?

I once believed that interpretation too. However, the Biblical way we fall from grace is to attempt to be justified by the law. For the Galatians, who were believers in the gospel, it was to add law keeping back in as a requirement to be saved.

You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. Gal 5:4 NASB

So we fall from grace by adding the law back in as a requirement for salvation. In further studies, I have discovered that even a leaven, a minute amount of law added, makes grace of no effect.

We also see something interesting in the next verses. For many, it would seem that it would make more sense if it said those who sinned were under the curse. But it does not say that. It is those who are of the works of the law that are under a curse.

For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM.”  Gal 3:10 NASB

Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”  However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM.”  Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”—  in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Gal 3:11 -14 NASB

For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. Rom 4:13 NASB

God's word is clear the only option the Bible offers for righteousness is by faith and the law is not of faith. 

However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, "HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM." Gal 3:12 NAS

Many more New Covenant Bible Studies HERE. Jesus poured out His blood for the New Covenant of grace and truth, replacing the Old Covenant law of Moses. Believers are exclusively under the New Covenant, the last will and testament of Jesus that began after the cross.

And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood. Luke 22:20 NASB