STOP THE ADULTERY

Table of Contents

1. Opening Thoughts: Living as Grace Magnets
2. Celebrating Forty-Two Years of Marriage
3. The Secret to Loving Others
4. A Quiet-Time Revelation About Grace
5. Understanding Biblical Covenants
6. The Noahic Covenant
7. The Abrahamic Covenant
8. The Mosaic Covenant
9. The Davidic Covenant
10. The Eternal Covenant of Grace
11. The Meaning of "Ratified" and "Everlasting"
12. Stop Committing Spiritual Adultery
13. Romans 7 Explained
14. Living Only Under Grace
15. Closing Prayer and Final Encouragement

Opening Thoughts: Living as Grace Magnets

Pastor Leonard begins by reflecting on the Garden of Eden. Rather than imagining Adam laboring for provision, he pictures Adam resting in God's completed work. Instead of striving to gather fruit through effort, Adam simply received what God had already provided.

He explains that this is the picture believers should carry today. Christians are not called to chase blessings through religious performance. Instead, they are to recognize that God's blessings already belong to them because of Jesus Christ.

He connects this idea with communion. Communion is a remembrance of Christ's finished work—not an attempt to make God do something new. Jesus' body has already been given, His grace already lives within believers, and the Christian life becomes learning to believe and receive rather than laboring to qualify. The opening establishes one of the central themes of the sermon:

Grace is not activated by human effort.

Grace is received by faith.

Believers are to become "grace magnets," drawing from what Christ has already accomplished rather than trying to persuade God to act.

Celebrating Forty-Two Years of Marriage

Pastor Leonard welcomes his wife, Pastor Lori, to the platform and shares that they are celebrating forty-two years of marriage. The moment serves as more than a personal celebration—it becomes an illustration of what God's grace can accomplish over time. He openly admits that his marriage survived many difficult years because of God's love and grace rather than his own goodness or ability. He explains that for years he searched for the secret to becoming a loving husband.

-He attended marriage conferences.
-He studied personality profiles.
-He read books about relationships.
-He listened to motivational speakers.
-He tried every practical method available.

Yet despite all those efforts, he found himself unable to love his wife through his own strength consistently. Eventually the Lord spoke something that completely changed his perspective. Instead of focusing on trying harder to love God, the Lord instructed him to concentrate on how much God loved him. This revelation completely transformed his life.
Pastor Leonard points to the Apostle John's words:

1 John 4:10-"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

He explains that this verse redefines love. Love does not begin with mankind's effort toward God. Love begins with God's initiative toward mankind. The more he meditated on God's love for him, the more naturally he found himself loving both God and his wife. Rather than striving to produce love, love became the fruit of receiving God's love. He emphasizes that no commandment, marriage seminar, or self-help book could produce what the revelation of God's love accomplished. This becomes another foundational principle for the remainder of the sermon:

When believers focus on God's love for them instead of their love for God, the fruit of love naturally grows in every relationship.

The section closes with an encouragement for every husband and wife: if they desire deeper love, they should spend their energy discovering how completely God already loves them rather than striving to love better through human effort.

A Quiet-Time Revelation About Grace

Pastor Leonard explains that before anyone can understand the relationship between Law and Grace, they must first understand what a covenant actually is. He defines a biblical covenant as:

"A binding promise or formal agreement between God and humanity." The word "binding" is extremely important. When God enters into a covenant, He binds Himself to its terms. Likewise, those entering the covenant become bound by its conditions. To demonstrate God's faithfulness to His own promises, Pastor Leonard points to Psalm 89. He emphasizes that God does not casually make promises that He later changes.

God Himself declares:
Psalm 89:34- "My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips."

Pastor Leonard explains that because God's covenants are binding, understanding which covenant believers are under is one of the most important theological questions a Christian can answer.
Many Christians, he says, think there are only two covenants:

• The Old Covenant
• The New Covenant

However, Scripture actually records several different covenants throughout biblical history. Each covenant reveals something about God's dealings with mankind. Yet one particular word becomes the key to the entire sermon.

That word is: "Eternal."

He tells the congregation that they should pay close attention because not every covenant is described as eternal. That distinction becomes the foundation of everything that follows. Understanding which covenants were temporary and which covenant is everlasting completely changes how believers understand Grace. Rather than viewing Grace as God's "backup plan," Pastor Leonard says believers will discover that Grace has always been God's heart from the very beginning.

Understanding Biblical Covenants

Pastor Leonard transitions from discussing love to explaining how this message came to him during one of his morning quiet times with the Lord.

He makes an important distinction between "spending time with God" and intentionally setting aside quiet time. As believers, Jesus is always with them, so they are never truly separated from Him. However, early in the morning—before phone calls, emails, and distractions—he enjoys simply worshipping, praying, and listening. During one of these quiet times, a sincere prayer came from his heart.

He prayed: "Lord, all I want is for Your Word to work in my life."
He then added another request: "And for Your Word to work through me for the lives of others."
He tells the congregation that this is a wonderful prayer. Every believer should desire God's Word to produce fruit in both their own lives and the lives of those around them. However, immediately afterward another sentence came out of his mouth.

He prayed: "Lord, show me what I have to do." The moment he spoke those words, the Holy Spirit immediately corrected him.

The Lord impressed upon his heart that under the New Covenant there was nothing left for him to do in order to make God's Word work. Jesus had already done everything necessary. Pastor Leonard explains that this is where many Christians unknowingly drift into mixture.
Without realizing it, believers begin thinking:

• There must be another step.
• There must be another work.
• There must be another sacrifice.
• There must be another level of effort.
• There must be something they have to accomplish before God can move.

According to Pastor Leonard, those thoughts do not originate from the Covenant of Grace. They originate from the Covenant of Law. The Law always whispers: "You must do more." Grace always proclaims: "Jesus has already done it."

He explains that legalism subtly convinces Christians there is still work remaining before God can bless them. Grace reminds believers that Christ already qualified them.
The Lord then spoke three powerful truths into his heart.

"You are holy."
"You are righteous."
"You are qualified."

Because those statements are already true through Jesus Christ, believers do not need to earn God's acceptance. Instead, they are simply to believe that God's Word is already working within them.

That revelation became the foundation for the remainder of this sermon, which focuses on understanding the different biblical covenants and why Christians must never return to living under the Law after being brought into Grace.

The Noahic Covenant

The first covenant Pastor Leonard examines is the covenant God made with Noah following the flood. He explains that many Christians immediately think of Genesis 9 when discussing Noah. However, he points out that God's original promise actually appears first in Genesis 8. He then emphasizes that this covenant was unconditional. God did not require Noah or future generations to meet certain conditions before He would keep His promise. Instead, God simply declared what He Himself would do.
Pastor Leonard directs attention to:

Genesis 8:21–22- "And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease." He explains that many people summarize God's promise by saying He promised never to flood the earth again. While true, Pastor Leonard argues that God's promise is actually broader.

God promised He would never again destroy all life on earth as He had done during the flood. That promise remains in force throughout the present creation.

However, Pastor Leonard then points out something many believers overlook. Although this covenant is unconditional, Scripture never calls it an eternal covenant.

Why?
Because it has a purpose limited to the present heavens and earth. When God creates the new heavens and the new earth, there will no longer be any need for this covenant. Its purpose will have been fulfilled. This becomes the first example supporting his larger argument:

Not every covenant God made was intended to last forever. Some served a specific purpose within God's unfolding plan of redemption.

The Abrahamic Covenant

Pastor Leonard next turns to the covenant God established with Abraham. He explains that this covenant is recorded across Genesis 12, Genesis 15, and Genesis 17, where God chose Abraham and made promises that would ultimately affect the entire world.

Unlike the Mosaic Covenant that would come later, the Abrahamic Covenant was not based upon Abraham's performance. Pastor Leonard repeatedly emphasizes that it was an unconditional covenant.

God promised Abraham:

• Numerous descendants.
• A specific land.
• That through Abraham's lineage all the nations of the earth would be blessed.

These promises were initiated by God Himself rather than earned through Abraham's obedience. Pastor Leonard reminds the congregation that Abraham was far from perfect. Abraham lied. He doubted. He attempted to "help God" fulfill His promise by having a child through Hagar, resulting in the birth of Ishmael. Despite Abraham's failures, God continued blessing him. Pastor Leonard explains that this demonstrates a principle later taught by the Apostle Paul.

Romans 2:4- "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?"

He points out that Paul does not say the wrath of God leads people to repentance. Neither does Paul say fear, judgment, or punishment produce lasting transformation. Instead, Scripture teaches that God's goodness changes hearts. Pastor Leonard believes Abraham's life perfectly illustrates this truth. For approximately twenty-five years, Abraham experienced God's continual goodness despite his weaknesses and shortcomings. Only after years of receiving God's grace did Abraham mature into the steadfast man of faith described later in Romans. Pastor Leonard references Romans chapter 4, explaining that Abraham eventually became known as the man who staggered not at the promises of God, remaining fully persuaded that God would fulfill everything He had spoken.

He stresses that Abraham did not arrive at that unwavering faith overnight. Rather, God's continual goodness produced spiritual maturity over time. This, he says, is exactly how grace still works today. Grace transforms people from the inside out. It is God's goodness—not human striving—that produces genuine faith. However, Pastor Leonard again returns to the key theme of the sermon. Although the Abrahamic Covenant was unconditional, Scripture never identifies it as an eternal covenant.
Why?
Because it had a specific purpose. Its purpose was to bring humanity to Jesus Christ. Once Christ fulfilled God's promise to Abraham, the covenant had accomplished its intended mission.|
Therefore, while the Abrahamic Covenant remains one of the greatest promises in Scripture, it was never intended to exist independently forever. Its fulfillment is found in Christ.

The Mosaic Covenant

Pastor Leonard now introduces what he considers the greatest contrast in the sermon—the Covenant of Law. He explains that this covenant was established through Moses and is primarily recorded beginning in Exodus chapters 19 through 24.

Unlike the Noahic and Abrahamic Covenants, this covenant was entirely different. It was conditional. God promised to make Israel His treasured possession.

In return, Israel agreed to obey His commandments. Unlike grace, where God provides because of Christ, this covenant required obedience before blessing could be experienced. Pastor Leonard repeatedly reminds the congregation that a covenant is binding. That means Israel became legally bound by its conditions. But something many Christians overlook is that God also bound Himself to the covenant.

Because God always honors His Word, He could not simply ignore the conditions after Israel agreed to them. When Israel obeyed, blessings followed. When Israel disobeyed, the covenant itself required consequences.

Pastor Leonard explains that this is why the sacrificial system became necessary. The continual sacrifices were not proof that the Law worked perfectly. Rather, they demonstrated that the people continually failed to keep it. Even the sacrifices themselves could never permanently solve the problem because the covenant still depended upon human obedience.

He points to Deuteronomy chapter 28.

The chapter begins with promises of blessing for obedience. It then continues with an extensive list of curses that would result from disobedience. According to Pastor Leonard, this illustrates the fundamental nature of the Law. It was based upon performance. Blessing depended upon obedience. Failure resulted in condemnation. Again, he returns to the key word that has become central throughout the sermon. Nowhere is the Mosaic Covenant described as eternal.

That omission is intentional. The Law was never designed to last forever. Its purpose was temporary. Its purpose was to expose mankind's inability to achieve righteousness through personal effort and ultimately point everyone toward Jesus Christ.

For Pastor Leonard, this is one of the most important truths Christians can understand. If the Law was never intended to be eternal, believers should never attempt to live under it after Christ has fulfilled it. Doing so places them back under a covenant that has already served its purpose.

The Davidic Covenant

Pastor Leonard next examines the covenant God made with King David. Like Abraham's covenant, this covenant was unconditional. David did not earn God's promise through flawless behavior.

In fact, Pastor Leonard reminds the congregation that David committed adultery. He also arranged for murder. Despite these serious sins, God still established His covenant with David. That alone demonstrates that God's covenant with David rested upon God's promise rather than David's performance. God promised that David's royal lineage would endure forever.

Unlike the previous covenants discussed, Pastor Leonard points out something significant. This covenant is described using language of permanence. Why? Because it ultimately points to Jesus Christ. Jesus, the Son of David, reigns forever as King of kings and Lord of lords. Because Christ's kingdom has no end, the Davidic Covenant possesses an eternal dimension. This prepares the congregation for the sermon's major conclusion.

While earlier covenants were temporary or fulfilled within history, God's ultimate purpose has always been centered upon Jesus Christ. Everything has been moving toward Him from the very beginning. The Davidic Covenant serves as a bridge between the Old Testament promises and the everlasting Covenant of Grace established through Christ Himself.

The New Covenant of Grace

Having established that several biblical covenants existed before Christ, Pastor Leonard now arrives at what he considers the central covenant of all Scripture—the New Covenant, also called the Covenant of Grace. Before explaining it, he makes an important distinction that he believes many Christians misunderstand.

He tells the congregation that the terms New Testament and New Covenant are not synonymous. The New Testament refers to the collection of books beginning with Matthew and ending with Revelation.

However, the New Covenant itself was not immediately in operation at the beginning of Matthew's Gospel. Instead, throughout much of the New Testament books, readers encounter two covenants existing side by side. The Covenant of Law was still being fulfilled. The Covenant of Grace was being established through Jesus Christ.

Pastor Leonard stresses that understanding this distinction changes how believers read the New Testament. Without recognizing the difference, Christians often confuse teachings directed toward those still under the Law with teachings that belong exclusively to those living under Grace.

He then defines the New Covenant.

Unlike the Mosaic Covenant, which depended upon human obedience, the Covenant of Grace rests entirely upon the finished work of Jesus Christ.

Its promises include:

• Complete forgiveness of sins.
• A new relationship with God.
• God's law written upon believers' hearts.
• Acceptance through faith rather than works.
• A permanent standing before God based upon Christ's righteousness.

Everything about this covenant depends upon Jesus rather than human performance. To support this, Pastor Leonard turns to Paul's teaching in Romans. He first references Romans 5:1–2, emphasizing that believers are justified through faith rather than works.

Romans 5:1–2 (KJV)- "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

Pastor Leonard pauses over the phrase: "Into this grace wherein we stand." He explains that Christians are no longer trying to enter grace. They already stand in grace. Grace is now the believer's permanent position before God. It is not a temporary experience. It is not something that increases or decreases based upon daily performance. It is the place Christ Himself has brought every believer. Pastor Leonard then continues into Romans 5:17, contrasting Adam with Jesus.

Romans 5:17 (KJV)- "For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ."

He observes that death entered humanity through one man—Adam. However, God's grace is even greater. Paul does not merely say grace is equal to sin. He says grace is much greater. Just as Adam's sin affected the human race, Christ's gift of righteousness now enables believers to reign in life. Again, Pastor Leonard highlights what is absent from the passage. Paul never speaks of striving. He never says believers reign through greater effort. He never says righteousness must be earned.

Instead, righteousness is repeatedly described as a gift received through faith. Pastor Leonard concludes that Grace always produces victory because it depends upon Christ rather than human ability. He then turns to another foundational passage.

Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV)- "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

He explains that salvation has never been a reward for good behavior. Neither can anyone boast before God because salvation is entirely His gift. Grace leaves no room for pride because every blessing comes through Jesus Christ alone. Pastor Leonard says this truth never changes. It is as true today as it was when Paul first wrote it. Finally, he introduces another passage that he believes marks the official transition between the two covenants.

Hebrews 10:9 (KJV)- "Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second."

Pastor Leonard explains that Jesus came to remove the first covenant in order to establish the second. The Father's will was not to improve the Covenant of Law. Neither was it to combine Law and Grace. Rather, Christ fulfilled the first covenant so that the Covenant of Grace could stand alone. For Pastor Leonard, this becomes one of the defining truths of Christianity. Believers no longer live under a conditional agreement dependent upon obedience. They now live under an unconditional covenant established through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ alone.

Pastor Leonard now arrives at what he describes as one of the most significant revelations the Lord has ever given him concerning the New Covenant. He explains that although he had known the following passage for many years, he had never fully grasped the importance of two specific words found within it. He shares a personal testimony from years earlier.

One morning, at approximately 2:14 a.m., he suddenly awoke from a deep sleep speaking a passage of Scripture aloud. The room was dark. Pastor Lori was still asleep. He had not been studying this passage. He had not been meditating on it. Yet the Holy Spirit brought these verses to his mind so powerfully that he knew God was speaking to him.

He explains that when the Lord called him back into ministry, this passage became one of the foundational promises for his life. Only recently, however, had he begun to understand its full significance.

He reads: Hebrews 13:20–21 (KJV)-"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Pastor Leonard draws attention to two expressions in particular:

• "through the blood"
• "the everlasting covenant"

He explains that many believers read past these words without stopping to consider what they actually mean. The first word that captures his attention is "ratified." Although the King James Version says "through the blood of the everlasting covenant," Pastor Leonard notes that other translations describe Christ's blood as having ratified the covenant. He then explains the meaning of the word.

To ratify means:

• To give formal approval.
• To officially confirm.
• To make legally binding.
• To establish something as fully valid and enforceable.

Applying this definition, Pastor Leonard says the blood of Jesus Christ permanently legalized the Covenant of Grace. It was not merely introduced. It was not simply announced. It was officially established forever through Christ's sacrifice. He vividly illustrates the point by saying that the covenant was, in effect, "signed" with the blood of Jesus Christ. Nothing stronger could ever validate an agreement between God and humanity. Since God Himself established the covenant and Christ Himself sealed it with His own blood, no one can cancel it. No one can alter it. No one can improve upon it. It stands forever because God Himself ratified it.

Pastor Leonard then shifts to the second key word. The Greek word translated "everlasting" or "eternal." He admits that for many years he never fully understood its significance. After studying it, however, he discovered that the word describes something far greater than merely lasting a long time.

According to his explanation, the word means:

• Perpetual.
• Eternal.
• Without beginning.
• Without ending.
• Never ceasing.
• Existing forever.

He pauses and asks the congregation to think about what that means. The Noahic Covenant had a beginning. The Abrahamic Covenant had a beginning. The Mosaic Covenant had a beginning. Even the Davidic Covenant entered history at a specific point. But the Covenant of Grace is described differently. Pastor Leonard explains that if the covenant is truly everlasting, then grace was not an afterthought.

Grace did not begin at Calvary.
Grace did not begin with the Church.
Grace did not begin after Israel failed.
Rather, grace has always been God's heart.
Before creation…
Before Adam…
Before Noah…
Before Abraham…
Before Moses…
Before David…

God's desire was always to relate to humanity through grace. The Cross did not create God's gracious nature. The Cross revealed it. According to Pastor Leonard, this completely changes the way believers understand redemption. The Law was temporary. Grace was eternal. The Law entered history for a season. Grace reflects the very heart of God Himself. He tells the congregation that even when God creates the new heavens and the new earth, His grace will continue forever because it is His eternal nature. For that reason, believers should understand that the Covenant of Grace is not merely another covenant among many. It is the covenant God desired from the very beginning. Everything else ultimately pointed toward it.

The Meaning of %22Ratified%22 and the Everlasting Covenant

Stop Committing Spiritual Adultery

Having established that the Covenant of Grace is God's everlasting covenant, Pastor Leonard now delivers the central message of the sermon. He explains that although the Covenant of Law has fulfilled its purpose and is no longer in effect, many Christians continue living in what he calls "mixture." Mixture occurs whenever believers combine Grace with Law. Instead of resting entirely in Christ's finished work, they begin adding personal effort back into their relationship with God. According to Pastor Leonard, this rarely happens intentionally. To illustrate the point, he uses the example of physical adultery. He says that most people who commit adultery never wake up one morning intending to destroy their marriage.

Instead, it usually begins gradually.

Small conversations.
Small compromises.
Small emotional attachments.

Little by little, boundaries become blurred until eventually adultery occurs. He says legalism develops the same way. Christians generally do not wake up deciding to abandon Grace. Instead, they begin hearing messages that emphasize human effort. Perhaps one sermon says they need to work harder. Another says they have not sacrificed enough. Another insists they must strive more. Another tells them God will only bless them if they become more faithful. Each message may seem small by itself. But over time those ideas accumulate. Without realizing it, believers slowly drift away from the simplicity of Grace. Eventually they find themselves living as though God's acceptance depends upon their performance. Pastor Leonard says this is spiritual adultery. They have left complete dependence upon Christ and have begun trusting another covenant. He explains that the evidence of mixture is easy to recognize. Whenever Law dominates a believer's thinking, certain emotions inevitably appear:

• Guilt.
• Shame.
• Condemnation.

Those feelings reveal that a person has drifted away from Grace and back toward legalism. Pastor Leonard reminds the congregation that the everlasting covenant has already been ratified by Christ's blood.

Because of that, the agreement can never be canceled.

It can never expire.
It can never be replaced.

Since God's eternal purpose has always been Grace, believers should refuse every teaching that attempts to bring them back under the bondage of the Law. He then prepares the congregation for Paul's illustration in Romans 7, where the Apostle describes this return to the Law as committing adultery against Christ Himself.

Romans 7 Explained: Why Paul Calls It Adultery

Pastor Leonard now turns to what he considers the key passage of the entire sermon. He explains that the Apostle Paul deliberately uses the illustration of marriage to help believers understand why returning to the Law after receiving Christ is so serious. He says Paul was writing to people who already understood the Law of Moses. Using an illustration from marriage, Paul explains how a covenant functions.

Pastor Leonard then reads the passage.

Romans 7:1–4 (KJV)- "Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God."

Pastor Leonard carefully walks through Paul's illustration. A married woman is legally bound to her husband while he lives. If she leaves him to unite herself with another man, she commits adultery.

However, if the husband dies, the marriage covenant ends. She is then free to marry another without guilt or condemnation. Paul then applies the illustration spiritually. Pastor Leonard asks the congregation: "Who are we married to now?"

His answer is immediate: Jesus Christ. The Covenant of Grace. Believers are no longer joined to the Covenant of Law. They are now permanently united with Christ.

Because of that new relationship, returning to the Law is like a married person leaving their spouse to pursue another relationship.

Paul calls that adultery.

Pastor Leonard explains that Paul is not talking about physical adultery in this passage.

He is describing spiritual adultery.

Whenever Christians begin trusting rules, performance, religious effort, or personal obedience as the basis of their standing with God, they are, in Paul's illustration, leaving the One to whom they have been joined.

They are "flirting" with another covenant. That is why Pastor Leonard chose the sermon title:

"STOP THE ADULTERY."

He emphasizes that believers are no longer under the old covenant.

Paul plainly says:

"You became dead to the law." That death occurred when Christ died. When believers were united with Christ through faith, they also died to the Law. Therefore, they are now free to belong completely to Jesus. Pastor Leonard then points out the wonderful result of this new relationship.

Paul says believers are joined to Christ so that they may "bring forth fruit unto God."

Notice what produces fruit.

Not striving.
Not legalism.
Not fear.
Not condemnation.

Fruit comes naturally because believers are united with Christ. Just as healthy branches produce fruit because they remain connected to the vine, Christians produce good works because they remain connected to Jesus through Grace. The emphasis throughout the passage is not on human effort but on relationship. The Christian life is not about trying to become acceptable to God. It is about living from the acceptance already secured through Christ.

Living Only Under Grace

As he brings the sermon toward its conclusion, Pastor Leonard reminds the congregation that the Gospel itself is the power that enables believers to experience everything Christ purchased for them. He turns to Paul's opening statement in Romans.

Romans 1:16–17 (KJV)- "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."

Pastor Leonard explains that Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel because he had completely abandoned confidence in the Mosaic Law. As a former Pharisee, Paul understood what it meant to pursue righteousness through obedience. After encountering Jesus Christ, however, Paul realized that true righteousness comes only through faith. That realization transformed everything. Pastor Leonard emphasizes the phrase: "The power of God unto salvation." He explains that the Greek word translated "salvation" carries a much broader meaning than simply going to heaven after death.

According to his teaching, salvation includes:

• Forgiveness.
• Redemption.
• Wholeness.
• Healing.
• Protection.
• Provision.
• Complete restoration.

Every aspect of salvation flows from the Gospel of Grace. None of these blessings are obtained through religious striving. None are earned by human effort. They are received through faith in Jesus Christ. Pastor Leonard declares that he will never be ashamed of preaching Grace because Grace reveals the righteousness of God. It reveals what Christ has accomplished. It reveals God's eternal heart toward humanity. He returns one final time to the theme that has run throughout the entire message.

God's Covenant of Grace is:

• Eternal.
• Perpetual.
• Without beginning.
• Without ending.

Long before humanity existed, God's heart was Grace. The Law entered history temporarily because of mankind's condition. But Grace reflects God's eternal nature. Pastor Leonard concludes by encouraging believers to remain faithful to the covenant Christ established. He reminds them that Jesus has already fulfilled every requirement. The covenant believers now possess is flawless because it depends entirely upon Christ's finished work rather than human performance.

His closing challenge is simple:
Never return to the Covenant of Law.
Never mix Law with Grace.
Never commit spiritual adultery again.

Instead, remain fully devoted to Jesus Christ and the everlasting Covenant of Grace that He established through His own blood.

Thank you for taking the time to read this teaching. We hope this message has encouraged you to rest confidently in the finished work of Jesus Christ and to embrace the everlasting Covenant of Grace established through His blood. May this truth strengthen your faith, deepen your understanding of God's love, and remind you that your righteousness and acceptance are found in Christ alone. If this article has been a blessing to you, please consider sharing it with others so they too can discover the freedom, peace, and assurance that come from living under God's eternal grace.