God's Prohibitive Grace

Then God said to him in the dream, "Yes, I know that you did this with a clear conscience. I have also kept you from sinning against Me. Therefore I have not let you touch her." – Genesis 20:6

Have you ever considered the "prohibitive" grace of God?

One of the wonderful things about God's grace is that it not only effectively deals with our sin, but it is also able to keep us from sinning! God told King Abimelech that because of his clear conscience (his integrity) He would keep him from the sin (and destruction) that would come from taking Sarah (wife of Abram) as his spouse. In other words, God prohibited Abimelech from making a mistake that would ultimately cost him his life and his kingdom.

Often the Spirit of God will do the same thing in the life of a Christ-follower if the disciple is able to listen, if his or her conscience is "clear" and working properly. God's prohibitive grace is revealed through the truth of His Word (if it is read), through the warning of a brother or sister in Christ (if there is fellowship), or through the direct intervention of the Holy Spirit (if a person is filled).

Praise God for His prohibitive grace and experience it by maintaining a clear conscience before Him.

All grace grows as love to the Word of God grows. – Philip Henry