The amazing Grace of God is so amazing it changes lives for eternity. Even the reformers stressed that we are saved by Grace Alone but does this amazing grace negate repentance and confession? Wouldn't you want to live how-ever you wanted and not worry if it is sinful? The reality is that hyper-grace is nothing more than new age positivism and emotionalism disguised in churchy words that focuses on one subject of truth (Grace) while avoiding another (Obedience). Thus it does not teach the truth of God in its entirety and just want man wants to hear and avoids what man does not want to hear.
What are the key points of Hyper Grace teachings?
Not bound by The Law
Confession of sin is unnecessary
Continual Repentance of sin is unnecessary
Not responsible for current sin
Confession, Repentance, and application of The Law constitutes Pharisaical Legalism
These key teaching points largely agree with Antinomianism and "easy believism"; thus Hyper Grace is Semi-Antinomianism and leads to 'easy believism'. To better understand Hyper-Grace, it helps to understand what heresy it leads to:
What is Antinomianism?
"The word antinomianism comes from two Greek words, anti, meaning "against"; and nomos, meaning "law." Antinomianism means “against the law.” Theologically, antinomianism is the belief that there are no moral laws God expects Christians to obey"[1] because through Christ they are not responsible for their sins rendering the need to confess and repent of any sin a legalistic act.
Paul tackles the issue of Antinomianism in Romans 6:1-2 and Romans 12:1-2. The Law as not abolished but fulfilled. Jesus sums up The fulfilled Law that we are expected to obey in Matthew 22:37-40. It is hypocritical and a lie to keep God's commands, and live in sin. This is addressed in 1 John 2:3-6.
Even Semi-Antinomianism clearly a willfully ignorant approach to what Jesus states in John 14:15
"15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."
What are the things we are commanded to do?
"16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Revelations 3:3
3 So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent.
Notice the context is future confession and the subject, sin, is plural. And these letters were written to believers (1 John 2:1). Why would the apostles of Jesus be telling whom are already saved and believers, to confess their sins? In Revelations 3:3, Jesus is talking to CHURCHES and commanding them to REPENT.
We are commanded to confess and repent when we sin (though it is in fact already forgiven) because it is part of our growing and conforming to be more like Christ in this world (sanctification) and preparing for our glorification when we are taken out of this world. Confession and Repentance is part of spiritual growth.
"Hyper-grace preachers also claim the Holy Spirit will never convict Christians of their sin. Mature Christians should recognize this fallacy right away. Every disciple of Christ has felt the overwhelming conviction of the Holy Spirit when he or she has sinned. Jesus calls the Holy Spirit “the Spirit of Truth” (John 15:26). Truth, by its very definition, will not tolerate anything false. When the Spirit of Truth abides in a believing heart (1 Corinthians 6:19), He brings conviction about anything that is not truth."[2]
Hyper-Grace is half true:
Hyper grace teachers do teach that we saved by grace through faith. This is true and extremely essential to teach. But that is where their truth ends and were their deception begins. The issue they do not correctly address (maliciously or ignorantly) is that which is compelled by genuine faith.
That which is compelled by faith is the commanded confession, and repentance, which is required for the process of sanctification. Without obedience to Jesus' commandments under the fulfilled law; it is nothing more than "easy believism" and living as a "carnal Christian". But what exactly compels genuine believers to desire to confess and repent?
God's Will is For our Repentance
Paul makes it clear that it is God's grace that compels us to repent! (Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9). You can not separate Grace from Repentance; though repentance does not bring salvation; salvation leads to repentance.
Compelled Works (confession and repentance)
James 2:26 hits this on the head. Faith WITHOUT works are DEAD. Why? Because true saving faith compels our desire and effort for good works that is pleasing to the Lord and done for His glory. This is NOT legalism. The works are not depended on for salvation nor are they done for anyone besides God. Acts of confession and repentance is a NATURAL response to being saved and Born again.
Paul states the same in a negative form. 1 Corinthians 6:9–10 Paul states that his examples are compelled works from the desire and enjoyment of those who are not saved. Why not these? Because those who ARE going to inherit the kingdom, are compelled to not continue in all that Paul listed. This does not say those who are saved will not sin (perfectionism is not being argued). It is staying that WHEN a Saved individual does sin; they do not enjoy or rejoice in it and are compelled to confess and repent.
Both James and Paul agree with Jesus when Jesus stated in Matthew 7:16-23
"16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit..."
Those who are saved by Grace alone through Faith alone are born again and are made a new creation. They are given a new heart of which desires God's will and longs to give him glory. Thus; this compels them to obey his commandments because of their love and trust in his fulfilled law.
Under Fulfilled Law
After being freed from sin, we become "slaves to righteousness" and are under the "Law of Life"! The Law of Life is obedience and trust in The Word, Christ Jesus. That which compels us to confess and repent is the Law of Life-God's Grace; because we are saved and born again. Because we are forever and eternally saved, we are grateful slaves to it. This is the Law that is fulfilled, not abolished, only in Christ.
17 But thank God that, although you used to be slaves of sin, you obeyed from the heart that pattern of teaching you were transferred to, 18 and having been liberated from sin, you became enslaved to righteousness... because the Spirit's law of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death."
Why Teach Hyper-Grace?
In this day and age, positivism and ear tickling have crept into the American Churches. Focusing on and only teaching about God's Grace and freedom from The Law of sin is highly uplifting! It is a very good and necessary spiritual pep talk! But neglecting other realities and other more 'negative' feeling topics is a humanistic thinking error.
Jude warned of this in Jude 1:4
"4 For some men, who were designated for this judgment long ago, have come in by stealth; they are ungodly, turning the grace of our God into promiscuity and denying Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord."
Paul told Timothy of these coming teachers in 2 Timothy 3:1-5
1 But know this: Difficult times will come in the last days. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, 4 traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people!
It is a failure in teaching the WHOLE counsel of God's truths (Acts 20:23) and failing to rightly handle ALL of God's truths revealed to us in all Holy Scripture (2 Tim 2:15). They go down a road that does not keep their sinful nature in check. Their natural desire to be like god begins to infect their minds and what they teach. They then focus on what is pleasing to people; what makes people feel all warm and bubbly and is only positive and avoid what is culturally deemed to be negative.
Very similar to the health, wealth, happiness, and prosperity movement; this leads to emotionalistic idolatry as it attempts to justify living in sin while "holding to the form of godliness".
Teaching the ENTIRE Bible CORRECTLY, even when it 'seems' negative is for the eternal benefit of all the hearers for God's ultimate glory.
Sources:
1: http://www.gotquestions.org/antinomianism.html
2: http://www.gotquestions.org/hyper-grace.html