The stock market is up so everyone at work is happy about their 401k plan. "This is great - I might be able to retire early." Then the subject of company benefits comes up and everyone starts griping. "I can't believe they increased our co-pays/eliminated retiree healthcare/froze our pension." It never occurs to them that the two are related. Not that I'm crazy about having my benefits reduced, but I understand that people who buy stock in a company expect to make money on their investment. No one wants stock in a company that loses money. Share prices go up when earnings go up, and lowering costs (benefits, material, etc.) is one way to boost earnings. Therefore, higher stock prices and increased benefits generally don't go together. You can't have it both ways.
So many things in life are like that. It would be nice if you could eat anything you want without gaining weight, but that's not how it works. Smoking two packs of cigarettes a day is not a good way to stay healthy. Christianity is no different. Some Christians see God's grace as a spiritual "license to kill", i.e. since we have forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ then our actions aren't really that important. That's not how it works. Jesus didn't say "If you love me, that's good enough". He said: "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." (John 14:15, ESV) James says it this way: "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." (James 2:14-17, ESV)
God's grace is not about "How far can I push the envelope with my behavior?" It's a call to be holy. "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:14-16, ESV) Living any way you please is not compatible with Christianity. You can't have it both ways.
