Can You Abuse God's Grace? A Johnny Chang Sermon on Grace That Changes You

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world."
Titus 2:11–12 (KJV)

Have you ever wondered if you are "taking advantage" of God? Maybe you messed up again this week, and a quiet voice whispered, "You keep running back to grace. Surely He's tired of you by now." Or maybe you've heard someone warn that too much talk about grace will make people careless, and you're not sure what to believe.

It is one of the most honest questions a believer can ask: can you abuse God's grace? That is exactly the question Johnny Chang takes on in today's Sermon Spotlight. Johnny's own story, from gang life to a new life in Christ, is living proof that grace doesn't just forgive people, it transforms them. Press play below, then let's open the Scriptures together.

Watch "Can You Abuse God's Grace?" by Johnny Chang on YouTube

Featured message: "Can You Abuse God's Grace?" from the official Johnny Chang Live YouTube channel (@johnnychanglive). All credit for the message goes to Johnny Chang. The reflections below are our own, drawn from Scripture.

The question Paul was asked 2,000 years ago

If you've wrestled with this, you're in good company. The apostle Paul preached grace so boldly that people asked him the very same thing. After declaring that "where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" (Romans 5:20), he anticipated the objection:

"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?"
Romans 6:1–2 (KJV)

Notice what Paul does not do. He doesn't water grace down or add a list of rules to keep people in line. Instead, he points to who we now are in Christ: people who have died to sin and been raised to new life. Grace isn't a loophole for the old you. It is the birth of a new you.

Takeaway: The fact that you even care about "abusing" grace is a sign that grace is already at work in your heart.

Grace is a teacher, not a permission slip

Look again at our opening verse. Titus 2 says the grace of God is "teaching us". Grace doesn't just pardon us and leave us where we were; it trains us, gently and patiently, to live differently. That's why Romans 2:4 says it is "the goodness of God" that "leadeth thee to repentance". Kindness, not condemnation, is what turns our hearts.

Think about how Jesus treated the woman caught in adultery. He first said, "Neither do I condemn thee," and then said, "go, and sin no more" (John 8:11). The order matters. He gave her acceptance first, and that acceptance became the power to walk free.

Takeaway: When you fall, don't run from grace. Run to it. That's where change actually happens.

Why grace makes you stronger, not careless

Many of us try to fight sin by trying harder, feeling guiltier and promising God we'll do better. It rarely works for long. Scripture gives a surprising reason:

"For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."
Romans 6:14 (KJV)

Sin loses its grip on people who know they are loved, not on people who are terrified of being rejected. "We love him, because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19). The more you see how much Jesus loves you, the less appealing the old life becomes.

If you're weary from trying to earn what Jesus already paid for, hear this: "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Grace isn't only for the moment you first believed. It is for today's struggle, too.

Takeaway: Stop measuring your walk with God by your performance. Start each day by receiving His love, and let obedience grow out of that love.

Three simple ways to live from grace this week

• Begin your morning with His love, not your to-do list. Read one verse about God's grace and thank Him for it before you check your phone. A daily guide like 31 Days With Jesus can make this an easy habit.
• When you stumble, come boldly. Hebrews 4:16 invites us to "come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Confess quickly, receive forgiveness fully, and keep walking.
• Replace condemnation with truth. When guilt shouts, answer with Romans 8:1: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." Write it somewhere you'll see it often.

If your emotions have been pulling you back and forth, Johnny's testimony is a great next step: read From Gang Life to New Life: Johnny Chang's Testimony.

A prayer for today

Lord Jesus, thank You that Your grace is bigger than my failures. Forgive me for the times I've tried to earn Your love or hidden from You in shame. Teach me by Your grace to say no to what harms me and yes to the life You have for me. Let Your kindness lead my heart, and let Your strength be made perfect in my weakness. I receive Your love today. In Your name I pray, Amen.

You might also like: Come Home to Jesus (Jesus Loves You So) by Grace Harmonies

Keep going

Want to keep resting in God's grace this week? These resources were made for exactly that.

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