A common misconception about grace which many Christians have embraced is the idea that God can no longer see their sins or flaws because God only sees them through Jesus.
While there are many texts which could be cited to refute this idea, we need only to look at the words which Jesus spoke to the churches in the book of the Revelation to find out whether or not this idea is credible.
Let’s begin with Jesus’s message to the church of Ephesus.
I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. ~ Revelation 2:2-5
Notice that Jesus knew both the good works the Ephesians were doing as well as the bad things which were displeasing to God. Even though the Ephesians had some good works for which he commended them, Jesus reprimanded them for their wrongs.
Jesus declares that even though he knew their good works, there was something that was causing him to be against them. They had left their first love, and Jesus refers to this as a “fallen” state of which they needed to repent.
Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. ~ v.5
Those who teach, and those who embrace the idea that God cannot see their sins because of Jesus have embraced a belief about Jesus that is not consistent with the words of Jesus. Many who embrace the idea that God cannot see their sins because of Jesus also believe that there is no need to repent when they sin because all their past, present, and future sins are forgiven. Yet Jesus tells his people in Ephesus to repent and warns of judgment if they do not.
Now lets consider the words of Jesus to the church at Pergamos.
I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. ~ Revelation 2:13-15
Again Jesus begins by acknowledging their good works, and again he exposes their sins, saying, “I have a few things against thee”. This is not consistent with the idea that God can’t see our sins and only sees us through Jesus. Jesus points out the sins of his people and tells them to repent. One of the sins in their midst was that some of them were holding to the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, something Jesus says he hates.
The writer of Hebrews says, “For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God”. ~ Hebrews 10:30-31
Notice that the text says, “the Lord will judge his people” in context to the severity of God. It does not say the Lord can no longer see his people’s sins and therefore there is no need to repent when you sin.
These words are sobering when we compare them to Jesus’s words above which were spoken to the church at Pergamos: “Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth”. ~ Revelation 2:13-15
Finally consider the words of Jesus to the church of Thyatira.
I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. ~ Revelation 2:19-23
These too, are sobering words and agree with that which was written by the author of Hebrews (cited above). Jesus does commend those in Thyatira who have walked uprightly in verses 24-28 and promises them reward for their faithfulness.
It should be noted that in each instance (the church of Ephesus, the church of Pergamos, and the church of Thyatira), Jesus says, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Revelation 2:7,17,29). And in each case Jesus promises reward for those who overcome.
Teaching Christians that God only sees them through Jesus and therefore can no longer see their present sins is to teach something other than what the Spirit was saying to the churches in the book of the Revelation. We serve a Holy God who is a loving Heavenly Father, and his desire is that we be pure and holy in his sight. Through Jesus and by virtue of his Spirit he has made provision for us to be pure in his sight, but we must follow him in obedience and faith, and turn from our sins with repentant hearts when we do fail.
For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8
Rooted and Grounded In Christ 
Some interesting things here, Micheal. I’ve been studying this out recently and I have to say I’ve arrived at some different conclusions than you. This and your other article “Gospel of Grace.” I grew up thinking like you advocate for in the above article and the Gospel of Grace article, and am now strongly leaning in the other direction, with a few clarifications. Here are just a few thoughts on this article and the general gospel of grace topic. 1. The Father isn’t speaking to the churches in Revelation. Jesus is. The Father sees us through the sacrifice of Jesus. 2. I have no goodness to offer God, except for the goodness of Jesus that has been imputed unto me. What hope would I have if God’s favor upon me was based on my goodness? None righteous… filthy rags..etc. 3. Nobody teaches we do not need to repent of our sin. That’s a gross overstatement. Some do teach we do not need to ask for forgiveness (far different from confessing and having a “change of mind”), because The Father has already forgiven us for all our sin by giving us the righteousness of His Son. All our sin has been paid for. Once. Finished. But that is far different from us recognizing our sin, agreeing with God about it (confession), and having a change of mind followed by a change of action (repentance). 4. Because I have the righteousness of Christ and God the Father sees me through Jesus doesn’t mean I will always behave perfectly. I still sin. It simply means I can’t earn favor or love or acceptance from The Father through my good behavior. It’s only through Christ. Galatians. You couldn’t be saved through your behavior, what makes you think you can continue in the Christian walk through your behavior? The Holy Spirit and Jesus will always be teaching me how to live more in unity with the righteousness of Christ, which includes calling out sin in my life. Not so that I can earn, but so that I can better reflect Christ, glorify God to others, and experience the righteousness of Christ that has been given to me. If part of being accepted by God is based on one’s performance and behavior, welcome to the most paranoid, miserable life ever created. That’s religion…you can’t please God with your actions enough to earn His Son, but now that He’s given you His son you must earn His favor and pleasure through your actions. Hmm. I’m accepted because of Christ. I obey out of worship and adoration. Just my thoughts!
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I am no stranger to the ideas you have expressed, but none of it is taught in scripture and express much doctrinal misunderstandings. Note: some of your points may be used in future teachings to help others understand scripture correctly.
Your first point is very disturbing because it sets forth the notion that you think Jesus speaks to us apart from the mind and will of the Father. Jesus is the Word of God and if Jesus’s words are not aligned with God’s mind, view, and ways, that’s a huge problem.
Jesus told the Jews that were opposed to him, I speak that which I have seen with my Father (John 8:38). At another time, Jesus says to the Jews, For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. ~ John 12:49-50
In John 14, Jesus said to his disciples, Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.~ John 14:10
The writer of Hebrews tells us, God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds. ~ Hebrews 1:1-2
A fundamental truth of the New Testament is that Jesus is the one in whom, and by whom God speaks to us. Jesus is the one in whom God is revealed and is made known to us. Jesus said to his disciples, if you have seen me, you have seen the Father, and the writer of Hebrews tells us that Jesus is the express image of the Father. In fact the writer of Hebrews tells us that the Father disciplines those he loves, which is exactly what Jesus says in Revelation 3:19.
So, the very fact that you think that the Father would have a different view of the churches than Jesus is out of touch with the doctrine of scripture. There is absolutely no text anywhere that teaches us that the Fathers thoughts towards us are different from Jesus.
Secondly, we are told in 1 Peter to be holy because God is holy and to live our lives in the fear of the Lord because the Father judges every man according to his works. This is said in relation to our being redeemed by the precious blood of Christ. Being justified by faith in Christ is not about a spiritual free ride. God saves us to change us, and to conform us to the image of his son. In Ephesians, Paul tells us that we are saved by grace through faith and not of works lest any man should boast. Our good works do not save us, but real salvation bears the fruit of godly living all though through the New Testament, and this is the reason Paul says to the Corithians, “having therefore these promises let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit.”
God does justify us in Christ, but if we choose to live in sin after being justified, God is not blind to our sins and will deal with us accordingly. Last year many Southern Baptist ministers were exposed for sexual misconduct. God did not look at them (only seeing Jesus) while they were covering their sins. No! God knew exactly what they had done and will not tolerate such things to continue without bringing judgment.
According to scriptures, we are God’s workmanship when we are saved by grace for the purpose of the good works that God has ordained that we should walk in.
Finally regarding your third point. I have addressed it in this teaching:
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I just went back and read my article on the Gospel of Grace. It had been 3.5 years since I posted it, so I didn’t remember what I had written in that particular post. I must say, I should have never answered you seeing that you had problems with that teaching.
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