WHAT’S WRONG WITH HYPER-GRACE?

“Hyper-grace” as hyped by Joseph Prince of New Creation Church is a subtle and deceptive doctrine that has become quite popular nowadays. Without question, the abundant grace of God as revealed in the Scriptures is an indispensable doctrine of salvation, without which no one can be saved. What then is the problem with the “hyper” version of it? The problem is with its distortion of the biblical teaching of grace by not accurately addressing what the Bible says about sin, repentance, and sanctification.

Now, Prince assumes an air of authority when he proudly claims that his hyper-grace doctrine came to him personally and directly from God. He says it is God’s “new revelation” to him. This is a dangerous claim for the revelation of God is already completed and settled in the Biblical Canon and no one is to add to or subtract from it (Rev 22:18-19). Spurgeon rightly warned, “Be assured, there is nothing new in theology except that which is false.” Christians today cannot afford to be naïve or gullible. We ought to be like the noble Bereans who searched the Scriptures to see whether the things taught were true or not (Acts 17:11) for in the Scriptures we have “a more sure word of prophecy” (2 Pet 1:19).

Let me at the outset state: Grace is good, but not “hyper-grace”. With all the hype about hyper-grace, let me highlight what is wrong with it in the light of the Holy Scriptures.

There Is Truth

Now, it must be said there is truth in hyper-grace, and it is this: Salvation is purely and solely by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ alone. A couple of the favourite passages of hyper-grace preachers are Romans 5:20-21, “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” and Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Thank God Jesus Christ came to save sinners by His grace and truth. When a sinner after hearing the gospel truth of the saving grace of God through Jesus Christ and believes in Christ as Lord and Saviour, he is justified (ie declared righteous by God) and stands as righteous before God, not because he is righteous but because of the righteousness of Christ which has been imputed to him. Having been declared righteous, his sins are forgiven past, present, and future.

Now, that is what Joseph Prince preaches and that is what we preach as well. Nothing wrong with that because that is what the Scriptures teach (Rom 1:17, 5:1, 10:9). As such, it is not unusual to find many evangelical Christians saying, “What’s wrong with Prince? I see or hear nothing wrong.” That is where the danger lies! Satan is an expert deceiver, and his modus operandi is always to win your confidence first before he goes in for the kill. He will agree with you initially, but along the way, he will cast a doubt to get you confused, and when he sees that you are unaware or undiscerning, he will introduce and inject his lie. “Yea, hath God said? … [No] Ye shall not surely die!” (Gen 3:1,4).

Where Then Is the Error?

The error is in the confusing of justification with sanctification or vice versa. If justification and sanctification are not properly distinguished, it can lead to either the heresy of salvation by works (Gal 1:6-9) or the heresy of salvation by dead faith (Jas 2:20).

The Scriptures teach clearly that justification is by faith alone and not by works, but the faith that saves is a faith that is alive and results in good works and a Christlike life. This is what the Apostle James clearly says, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. … For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (Jas 2:17,26). This is also what the Apostle Paul says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Eph 2:10); “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Phil 2:12-13).

Hyper-grace can profoundly influence how believers view sin and repentance but in the wrong way. According to Joseph Prince, Christians must disabuse themselves of the thought that they are sinful for to think in such a way is to negate the work of Christ. He teaches that Christians must always think of themselves as righteous and never sinful. This kind of “righteous consciousness” as he puts it will remove all guilty thoughts and feelings. This is all very seductive for it suggests: Even when you sin or are living in sin, you need not feel guilty or bad about it or about yourself. You need not confess your sins or think that you have sinned. You just need to believe and tell yourself that you are righteous or the righteousness of God, and then you will be free and be happy.

Does the Bible teach this, that when we sin, we must not confess sin as sin but instead convince ourselves that we are righteous and have not sinned? To do so would be to believe in a lie and to make God a liar. The Apostle John says very clearly, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:8-10). The Apostle Paul himself who lived a godly life confessed how he constantly struggled with sin and said, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Rom 7:24). In another place, he said, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” (1 Tim 1:15). King David himself, a man after God’s own heart, confessed, “For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.” (Ps 51:3-4). Hear the Prophet Isaiah, “Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.” (Isa 6:5). This they said as believers, not unbelievers.

Justification Only, No Sanctification?

Hyper-grace thus desensitises the believer from sin and his need for sanctification. It is without question that the Scriptures consistently calls believers to holiness. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Rom 12:1-2). “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation” (1 Pet 1:14-15). 

Grace must never be used as a licence to sin (Rom 6:1-2). Although Prince denies hyper-grace is a licence to sin, his overemphasis on the believer’s righteous standing before God (ie justification) without equally stressing the command to righteous living (ie sanctification), gives a wrong impression that a believer is already sinless when he is still sinful and must still confess his sins and contend with sin (Rom 7:14-21, 1 John 1:9). It must be categorically stated that a believer having been justified by faith is born again and a child of God and has the power to overcome sin and must consciously and continually flee from sin and pursue after holiness. Consider what Paul said concerning himself, “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:12-14). “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Cor 7:1). The Apostle John says, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.” (1 John 5:21). Note again, the Apostles were addressing believers, not unbelievers.

Those who have experienced the abundant grace of God will not want to sin against Him but desire to live a holy life. The Apostle Paul tells all believers who have received the grace of God, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Rom 6:1-2). David says, “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. … Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.” (Ps 119:97,104). Hyper-grace subtly undermines or downplays that holy desire by denying the need for the law of God as a rule of life (ie antinomianism) since it is believed that the believer is already justified once and for all and no longer possesses a sinful nature and is positionally and practically perfect and always righteous before God no matter what.

Hyper-grace’s focus on justification at the expense of sanctification or conflation of justification with sanctification obscures the believer’s need for constant repentance and growth towards Christlikeness. As such, it is inherently deceptive.

Justification Begets Sanctification

The Bible’s teaching on salvation is clear: justification begets sanctification. Faith in Christ leads to a changed life and good works. Again, let us hear what the Scriptures say, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Eph 2:10). “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Phil 2:12-13). “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Tim 2:19-22).

Praise God for His sovereign grace which is so abundant and free. Only Jesus saves, and grace and faith alone saves. Salvation comes from God and no one else. And once He has saved us, He will save us to the very end. Once saved, always saved. But God forbid that we should forget or neglect to pursue after righteousness and become more and more like Christ after we are justified by faith. Our Father in heaven is sovereign to justify us by faith in Jesus Christ His Son, and we are safe and secure in Him and will never be lost. That is true and cannot be denied. However, as Christians and children of God, we have a solemn responsibility to submit to the sanctifying work of His Word and Spirit which dwell within us. Martin Luther said it well, “We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone.”

Be Watchful and Discerning

Let us be watchful and discerning, and not be easily hoodwinked by so-called “new revelations” which may be falsehoods in disguise. In light of Scripture, the hyper-grace doctrine does not come from God. It does not take into account the whole counsel of God. It sounds like truth, but it is not the truth or the whole truth. What is the truth? The truth is this: Justification and sanctification are both important doctrines of salvation and are to be equally upheld in the believer’s faith and life. Therefore, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” (1 Tim 4:16). JK