What if the young man thought of his benefactor as a soft-headed old fool whom he could use and abuse according to his whims?

What if the boy, instead of becoming a responsible adult, had continued to steal, lie, evade responsibility, become drunken, waste his allowance on reveling, and had failed in school because of his shiftlessness and laziness? What if he had proved to be worthless as far as the business is concerned? What then?

The "lawless grace" that is preached today maintains the believer can continue to steal, lie, evade responsibility, become drunken, waste his resources on reveling, and fail in his responsibilities because of his shiftlessness and laziness, and yet be a royal priest in the Kingdom of God. He is "eternally secure" because of lawless grace. The teaching of lawless grace accounts for the deplorable moral condition and spiritual babyhood of the churches of our day and the consequent moral decline of the secular nations, who look to the churches for moral guidance. The churches are neither teaching nor living the commandments of the Lord.

We think the story of the poor young man fits John 5:24 well.

The businessman had decided the youth was worthy of assistance. At his expense he had relieved him of every penalty for his crime. He had taken him into his home and presence—a figure of eternal life. He had made him a member of his immediate family. All this is a portrayal of the meaning of "grace."

Then the adoptive father brought his son through many judgments, many afflictions, which also are part of the grace of God. The young man was not under guilt or condemnation but he certainly was under the continual scrutiny and discipline of his father.

If the son passed every test, as did the patriarch Joseph, he would become heir of all.

If he proved to be faithless, lacking in integrity, it is likely the businessman would cast him from his home, not trusting him even with a minor role in the organization.

That is how it would work out in the world. We believe the same type of program occurs in the Kingdom of God. The Scripture reveals that God tests us repeatedly in order to determine our worthiness to rule in the Kingdom. They bruised his feet with shackles, his neck was put in irons, till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the LORD proved him true. (Psalms 105:18,19—NIV)

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Revelation 2:10—NIV)

Abraham would not have been given the promise of victory and fruitfulness had he not been proven faithful.

"Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." (Genesis 22:12—NIV)

To be continued.