Charles Stanley says on Eternal Security: “You Can Be Sure” (Part 2, Tape #4, RH190):
“When you are born again by the grace of Almighty God,…It doesn’t make any difference how wicked and how vile you act.”
Charles Stanley in his audio tape #3, MH190:
“You can sin like the devil down here and… you won’t lose your salvation.”
Here’s his position in his own words:
Covered by Grace: Free to Sin?
By Charles F. Stanley
The gospel of God’s grace–His full provision for man’s sin–is frequently perverted and attacked by nonbelievers. Most false religions deny the free gift of salvation and embrace good works instead.
Another attack on the doctrine of grace comes from within the body of Christ. Some caution that such good news can lead to a lifestyle of sin. They think grace leads people to say, “I am saved no matter what, so why does it matter how I live?”
The apostle Paul anticipates this when he asks, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?” (Rom. 6:1).
The answer is no. Paul responds to the question in the very next verse: “May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?” (Rom. 6:2). The implication is that it is unthinkable for a Christian to be comfortable continuing in sin. Sin does not stay dormant. It grows. It enslaves. For those in Christ, sin cannot destroy relationship with God, but it will surely damage their testimony and fellowship with Him.
In Romans 6:1, the prefix of the Greek word translated “increase” means super. So the verse really says, “As sin comes, grace comes in a greater way.” In other words, sin may overflow a bit, but grace is like a flood–it is always more than enough, no matter how great the transgression. Sin reached the top of Mt. Sinai, but grace reaches to heavens.
But we do not have license to sin. Abundant grace spurs us to obedience.
(Source: StudyLight Forums)
If you read Romans 6:2 more closely however, you will notice that Paul was not saying here that grace will be so great that it will snuff out any sin, as Dr. Stanley sees it. Rather, Paul sees this (repeated sinning) as an abuse of grace and is startled at the very thought of it. He sees such willful sin as something that must be “rejected with the greatest abhorrence” (Matthew Henry). We must respond to such temptation of Satan like how Jesus responded. “Go Satan!” said Jesus (Matthew 4:10). The reason being: Abused grace/mercy will beget the greatest wrath.
Of course for some, abundant grace spurs them to obedience and encourages them to be more careful hereafter. If man is asked to forgive 490 times then God will forgive us even more number of times. But there is a catch here. As God keeps forgiving us, if we begin to take his grace and discipline “lightly” or despise prophetic utterances or counsel, then that is the end of us. Our conscience begins to get “seared as with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:2) and we will no longer hear the promptings of the Holy Spirit. We will not only grieve (Ephesians 4:30) the Holy Spirit but also quench Him (1 Thessalonians 5:19). And it is written, “if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him” (Romans 8:9). They may have a name that they are alive, but they are dead (Revelation 3:1).
So those of you who are singing the Devil’s lullaby: “Thou shalt surely not die.” Stop it right now! Heel!
