Reader question about “cheap grace” and other miscellaneous topics

READER QUESTION:

Does “cheap grace” include the types who commercialize salvation? I refer to types who wear shirts saying Jesus Saves or tattooing Jesus or Crosses on their bodies. I also notice people who live on welfare but don't work (wonder who or what fills their void) praising Jesus.

OUR RESPONSE:

GREAT questions – thank you!

Cheap grace is when people take "grace" for granted, erroneously thinking they are "saved" no matter what, even if they commit ongoing, deliberate sins.  God does not want us to use our bodies as an art canvas, no matter what the reason.  And, in all honesty, just because someone wears a cross on their neck or tattoos a cross on their body doesn't make them holy.  It only gives one the APPEARANCE of being holy.

According to author Everett Fox:

"Holiness in the Bible is a trait that can be acquired, even transmitted to an extent, but it is not absolutely innate, except in the case of God; and the Torah see as one of its major goals developing the means whereby people can, with holy intent and preparation, properly serve the Holy."  (Fox, "The Five Books of Moses", pg 734)

As for your question about "welfare" - some people who are experiencing excruciatingly hard times certainly should be afforded government assistance, especially if they are disabled or cannot work for some reason.  They can and should certainly praise God. (We are commanded to praise Him in ALL things: Psalm 34 and 75:1; 1 Chronicles 16:28; Daniel 20:20; Jeremiah 20:13; Ephesians 1:6, etc.) 

The bottom line for those who are able-bodied but remain on welfare generation after generation need to be ashamed of themselves for being leeches on society!  Scripture tells us in various ways that those who refuse to work, shouldn't eat. (See Proverbs 10:3-5;  12:11-12;  14:23; 18:9-10; and 21:25.)

2 Thessalonians 3: 7 For you yourselves know how you must imitate us, that we were not idle when we were among you. 8 We did not accept anyone's food without paying; on the contrary, we labored and toiled, day and night, working so as not to be a burden to any of you. 9 It was not that we hadn't the right to be supported, but so that we could make ourselves an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: if someone won't work, he shouldn't eat! 11 We hear that some of you are leading a life of idleness - not busy working, just busybodies! 12 We command such people - and in union with the Lord Yeshua the Messiah we urge them - to settle down, get to work, and earn their own living. 13 And you brothers who are doing what is good, don't slack off!  (CJB)

As for the "praising Jesus" idea - Yeshua (his given, Hebrew name, which means "YHWH is Salvation), the human who walked this earth - never asked for praise.  He always deferred to the Father who is YHWH ELOHIM/GOD. 

ADONAI our ELOHIM only has one Name, and that is Yud-Hey-Vav-Hey (YHWH in the English transliteration, most like pronounced Yahweh/Yahway - a name He gave to Moshe/Moses in Exodus 3:13-15).  He has many titles, of course, all designed to describe Him - such as HaShem (Hebrew for, "The Name"), ADONAI, ELOHIM, El Elyon (God Most High or Exalted One), El Shaddai (the Almighty) as well as all of the following:

• YHWH-Yireh — "Yahweh will provide" (Genesis 22:13-14)
• YHWH-Rapha — "Yahweh that healeth" (Exodus 15:26)
• YHWH-Niss"i — "Yahweh our Banner" (Exodus 17:8-15)
• YHWH-Shalom — "Yahweh our Peace" (Judges 6:24)
• YHWH-Ra-ah — "Yahweh is the Way, my Shepherd" (Psalm 23:1)

His SON, His MESSIAH, was Yeshua.  We are to praise YHWH, in the name of Yeshua (John 14:13-14, 16:23-24) whose divine blood cleansed our past sins away.