We are in the Era of Grace! “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast” – Eph. 2:8-9. It is free (“Being justified freely by his grace…” – Rom. 3:24) and in abundance, “But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” – Rom. 5:20. To this end, “God commanded his love for us in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”. It wasn’t and isn’t earned.

But, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has 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. Grace doesn’t just save us from sin, it also teaches and empowers us to overcome sin.

A pastor once highlighted that the era of grace is much more demanding: under the law, anyone caught in adultery is guilty of the law, but under grace, Jesus said, “Whosoever looks at a woman lustfully, has committed adultery with her already in his heart” – Matt. 5:28. He further goes ahead to say, if your right eye or hand will cause you to sin sever it. It is better to better to amputate it than have the infection spread. Remember, He will not require of us what he has not empowered us for. “My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). This brings me to my subject—do not touch.

I’ve discovered, studying myself that many of us have become professional sinners—sinning “without sinning” (so to speak). I’d conveniently dance around the pit of sin without falling in. It’s like playing at the beach without getting wet. Knowing fully well we shouldn’t just flee from evil but its flashlights too (1 Thess. 5:22). What is kissing and cuddling without having sex?

Back on campus, the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to a vital part of a popular verse we often skip; Gen. 3:2-3, Eve’s reply to the Serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden—God said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die”. Adam and Eve erred the moment they touched the fruit. There’s a proverb that says, “What you'll not eat, don't smell”. Remember, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit”. Flee youthful and elderly lust!