Romans 6:1-2 KJV

1What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

There seems to be a misconception in society that if you give to charity, live a good life, and assume that there must be a God somewhere out there that that is enough to earn God's approval. And hey, if they mess up, say a few prayers to Mary, or visit a confessional, and you are good again. Or perhaps some believe that if they go around doing good deeds, or read their Bible regularly that God's favor will be with them. And hey, if they are really bad sinners, than God don't like them anyway, so there is no need to go to church. Besides, in the end he'll just say to everyone, "Awe, all right, come on, everybody. Hey, you bad ones will just have to hang out in the lowest level of heaven."

Then these people look at all the Christians at church and say to each other, "I saw him shaking his fist on the roadway," and "She said a curse word," and "They judge others." The final thought, of course, being, "What a bunch of hypocrites attending church while being such horrid, sinful people."

God loves us unconditionally no matter what we have done. That does not give us a license to sin, but it is an incentive to respond to Him in love.

As a believer, a Christian understands that our works do not earn our way into heaven, but that His love does not give us a license to do whatever we want either. His love and mercy for us should give us an incentive to serve Him, love Him, and be grateful for His unconditional love - despite the fact that he knows us for who we truly are - unworthy sinners.

Holy living does not bring salvation, but true salvation will produce holy living. We still stumble sometimes along the way, but if you have a true relationship with our Lord, Jesus Christ, it will result in changes of your lifestyle.