Father of Lights: Is God really Good all the time?

 

The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7 NKJV

 James declares God our Father in Heaven is the Father of Lights. He informs us that He is unchanging. This is Good News! This tells us that God is Good and He is always Good and there is no changing with Him! 

 The Father of Lights has no darkness. That means only Good comes from God. John echoes this by declaring that in Him is Light, and there is no darkness. No darkness means no evil, wickedness, destruction, or death are within God our Father.

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. James 1:17 NLT

 The Word of God reveals the Father's great Love and character to us. The challenge we, as humans and even believers face is whether we actually believe this. I think that experience, life in a fallen creation, causes many to doubt this Goodness.

Do we, as believers then, really believe God is this Good? Do we really believe in His all-the-time goodness, or have personal experience and living life in a fractured creation distorted our understanding of God? 

 Let's look at the basics. First, all sincere believers know and believe God forgives sin. Yet even with a basic truth as this, we still find limits surrounding His all the time Goodness coming from traditional religion. 

 God's Goodness reveals a Father so Good that He forgives sin. This is amazingly Good News! We all need mercy even after salvation. As believers, we trust in His lovingkindness when we sin.

 This is His Grace, and we rejoice. We can see so many rejoice in this Goodness. Now let the believer sin that same sin again. Let's see the believer continue sinning that same sin. Do we still believe His Goodness covers that sin? 

 This is where we see how much we believe and trust in His Goodness. This is where we see how much trust in His Finished Work of Redemption. Sure there is a place of correction and instructions in these times but more than that there is Love and Grace that is restoring and forgiving.

 What about when disaster looms on the horizon? When severe thunderstorms, tornados, or tsunamis threaten the city or the coastal region? What is the initial reaction? Do we believe God sent the storm? Do we believe God directed the tsunami to punish sin, to judge the city? Do we believe God is striking the area? 

 What is our first thought? Do we align with God's Goodness, sending prayers of protection to the affected area? Do we intercede for those directly affected? Do we do what we can to bring relief, render aid, and contribute to the recovery operations? 

 What about if there is a negative report from the doctor? Do we believe the sickness or disease is merely our cross to bear for Jesus? Do we believe God is the One afflicting? Do we believe healing is done away with today, and sickness perfects the saints?

 This is where we all live, practically speaking. We daily have opportunities to believe and affirm God's Goodness. In a fallen and fractured creation, we will face disasters, death, disease, and disobedience in the life of believers. What holds us, what anchors us in the fallen world? 

 Resting in and knowing God is always Good and only does Good gives us hope and peace in a fractured creation. David said He would have given up if he didn't believe he would experience the Goodness of God in his life. This proves trusting in His all the time Goodness is key to living victoriously in this life. 

 God's Goodness is the foundation of the Gospel of Grace and the life of Faith. The revealed character of God gives us the basis to believe that He is Gracious and has forgiven us of all sins and His perfect work of Redemption is a completed work that the Father accepts. He is so Good, He honors the work of His Son.

 His Goodness revealed and understood is what fuels our trust in Him enough to step out in Faith. We know His character so we can take Him at His Word. We know He is so Good so He will honor and keep His Word. This is the basis for our Faith to flourish.

 God's Goodness is not just a theological truth—it is the foundation for a victorious life! Take a moment to reflect: In what areas have you struggled to believe in His all-the-time Goodness? Will you choose today to trust that He is always Good, always faithful, and always for you?

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Abundance of Grace: More than Enough!

 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Romans 5:17 NKJV

For if, through the transgression of the one individual, Death made use of the one individual to seize the sovereignty, all the more shall those who receive God's overflowing grace and gift of righteousness reign as kings in Life through the one individual, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17 WEY 

 There are various religions and spiritual paths that mankind has followed for centuries. Some follow philosophies, creeds, and reasonings. What distinguishes Jesus and Christianity from all of these voices in the wind? What is the distinction between the Gospel of Christ and the other religions? 

 Grace is the distinction from all the rest! Our Gospel is rooted in what Jesus Christ has done for us. Our Gospel is based on Jesus' work and not any other. The foundation of the Gospel is Jesus' perfect work of Redemption, and nothing we have achieved, nothing we are doing consistently, and nothing we can accomplish with enough consistency.   

 The Gospel distinction is that Jesus' work was more than enough. The Cross of Christ was more than enough to purchase and procure and provide for Redemption for whosoever receives. The Cross was more than enough to forgive our sins past, present, and future. The Cross was enough to permanently save us, securing our salvation forever. The Cross was more than enough to remove condemnation for all time and eternity.

 Traditional religion keeps looking at our sins, shortcomings, and failings. Grace keeps looking at our Savior and His completed work and the more than enough sacrifice that forgave those sins. Grace isn't making light of our sins but standing in awe of the forgiveness purchased by the shed blood of the perfect Savior, Jesus Christ!

If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared. Psalm 130:3-4 NASB

 There is complete Redemption and forgiveness in Christ alone. This Grace distinguishes Jesus from all the rest. No other religion, no other philosophy can provide this peace and reconciliation. No amount of charity and good works could merit this Love and mercy. No level of discipline or abstinence from wrongdoing could earn or achieve this forgiveness. 

 How does this abundance of Grace alter or affect our lives practically? What does the knowledge of the forgiveness of our sins and security in Christ produce? What is the benefit of focusing on this Grace? 

 To the child of God, the believer, and even those who are outside, lost in their sin and unbelief, it brings hope and brightens our path as a shining light, a beacon of expectation of goodness unparalleled and unmatched by anything. The focus shifts from ourselves and onto this Loving Savior and Good Father. The realization is we can trust in Him completely and know He is for us and will not hold our failures against us.

 It opens our eyes, that this Cross and work of Christ was more than enough. It leads us to the truth He paid it all in full. He has more than enough Love, mercy, forgiveness, and new life for us.

Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption Psalm 130:7 KJV

O Israel, hope in the Lord; For with the Lord there is lovingkindness, And with Him is abundant redemption. Psalm 130:7 NASB

 When we know there is plenteous Redemption for us we can lay down our own works and performance attempts to be loved and accepted by our Father. When we know there is more than enough Redemption the lost soul can stop running and run to the Father and find forgiveness and a new life. When we know there is abundant Redemption for us we can lay down worry and anxiety and know our Father is there caring for us and providing for our needs. 

 Grace is the personal realization that Jesus' work was more than enough. This Grace has provided for anything we would ever need in this life. Jesus is our one thing! He is the only thing! He is more than enough!

 The Cross was more than enough, and the Father has accepted this once for all sacrifice. That means our sins are forgiven once and for all time, and they will never be accounted to us again. This also means that our Father is not against us but for us. That we are welcomed in the presence of God and celebrated there. 

 Embrace this abundance of Grace. It's all about Jesus. It is all about knowing and understanding Jesus' work was more than enough. This produces such gratitude and thankfulness for Jesus and His Redemptive work. This is true honor and glory given to the Lord Jesus Christ. Our lives will never be the same the more we focus on Grace and the More than enough Savior Jesus!

image by Grok,X AI 

Abundance of Grace: Graceful thinking

For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Romans 5:17 NKJV

 For if, through the transgression of the one individual, Death made use of the one individual to seize the sovereignty, all the more shall those who receive God's overflowing grace and gift of righteousness reign as kings in Life through the one individual, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17 WEY

 Jesus is the person of Grace. The Gospel is the Grace of God revealed and demonstrated in Christ's victorious, Redemptive work. When we receive an abundance of Grace, Paul tells us we will reign as kings in this life.

 If we want to reign in life, we need to know how to receive abundant Grace. I believe Paul gives us the key to reigning in life when he tells us to renew our minds and not be transformed by the world's ways. Think about it—this world operates on effort, striving, earning, and achievement. But God's New Covenant operates by grace.

 God's New Covenant is a Covenant of Grace. It is not a covenant requiring our efforts, our achievements, or our performance. It is a covenant made between the Father and the Son, and we are the benefactors. We partake of this covenant when we trust in Christ alone. We freely receive all Jesus purchased and provided through His work and not our own.

 Renewing the mind is crucial to walking in the fullness of grace, but it’s not a self-effort or works program;

 Paul tells us in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Transformation comes not by striving, but by seeing—seeing Jesus, the person of Grace.

  Beholding Jesus: The Key to Renewal

The secret to renewing the mind is not willpower or self-effort. It is found in beholding Jesus.

2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

As we behold Jesus—His love, His finished work, His righteousness—we are transformed effortlessly. The more we see Him, the more we think in alignment with grace.

Renewing Our Minds to Grace

1. No More Condemnation
   Romans 8:1 declares, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” If Jesus took our judgment, why entertain thoughts of guilt or shame? Jesus' sacrifice was enough, God isn't punishing you. Renew your mind to this truth: God is not condemning you, so stop condemning yourself.

2. Eternally Secure
   Jesus said in John 10:28, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” Renew your mind to this: Your salvation is not fragile; it is secured by Christ Himself. You can't forfeit it, or lose it, once you trusted Christ alone you are irrevocably saved!

3. Deeply Loved and Liked by God
   It’s easy to accept that God loves us in a broad sense, but do you realize He also likes you? Zephaniah 3:17 says He rejoices over you with singing! He enjoys being with you. He is not tolerating you—He delights in you. Renew your mind to this: God is smiling over you right now. His arms aren't folded in disapproval of you, His arms are open wide welcoming you! 

Abundance of Grace Through Abundance of Beholding

An abundance of beholding Jesus leads to an abundance of grace in our thinking. The more we focus on Him, the more we walk in transformation—not by effort, but by revelation. Instead of battling thoughts of fear, insecurity, or condemnation, we let grace flood our minds.

Keep beholding Jesus. Keep renewing your mind to who you already are in Him. Grace-filled thinking leads to a grace-filled life. 

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Rightly Dividing Christianity and Government: Praying for leaders?

 

It is important that all of us submit to the authorities who have charge over us because God establishes all authority in heaven and on the earth. 2 Therefore, a person who rebels against authority rebels against the order He established, and people like that can expect to face certain judgment. 3 You see, if you do the right thing, you have nothing to be worried about from the rulers; but if you do what you know is wrong, the rulers will make sure you pay a price. Would you not rather live with a clear conscience than always have to be looking over your shoulder? Then keep doing what you know to be good and right, and they will publicly honor you. Romans 13:1-3 Voice (see commentary note)

 As Christians, we are instructed to live peaceably with all people. We are given guidance on how to conduct our lives practically. One arena where religious tradition and cultural influence abound is the relationship between Christians and government. There are two areas of relationship between Christianity and government,  the roles of prayer and giving honor. 

 Prayer for leaders comes from the words of Paul in his Epistle to Timothy. For years, 1 Timothy 2:1-2 has been used to promote the idea that Christians must pray for their national leaders' wisdom, success, and well-being—no matter how wicked they are. Many have taken this passage as a command to pray for presidents, kings, and rulers without question, assuming that such prayers must always be for their blessing and guidance.

But is that really what Paul was saying? Is this passage about supporting leaders, or is it about something else entirely? Let’s examine the text carefully, without religious tradition clouding our understanding.

I exhort then, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all men; 2including kings and all who are in high station, in order that we may live peaceful and tranquil lives with all godliness and gravity. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 WEY 

 First, this passage instructs us to offer prayers for all people, not just leaders. Then, he mentions kings and rulers, proving that this was not primarily the focus. Praying for rulers becomes a secondary issue, not the entire focal point of this passage. 

🔹 Tradition says: "This passage is about praying for political leaders."
🔹 The text actually says: "Pray for all men, and that includes kings too."

  What is the purpose of offering prayers for rulers and kings? Paul explicitly states what the purpose is; 
"in order that we may live peaceful and tranquil lives with all godliness and gravity"

 🔹 The goal is not for leaders to become righteous, make wise decisions, or govern justly.
🔹 The goal is that believers can live in peace and practice their faith without persecution.

This means we are not required to pray for the prosperity, wisdom, or success of leaders—especially if they are pushing wicked agendas. Instead, our prayers should focus on ensuring that we can live in peace, free to serve God without interference. 

 What is the main theme of the Scripture? The Scarlett thread that is Jesus, the Redeemer of mankind, is woven throughout every book in God's Word. The Gospel is the primary directive! Paul is exhorting prayers be made so the Gospel can flow unhindered no matter where Christians reside. 

 Is the Word of God a handbook of political affiliations? Is the Word telling believers to be champions and cheerleaders of all governmental leaders, with no exceptions? Is Paul saying to pray for the success, wisdom, and overall "administration" of Nero? This is what the commentaries, the majority of churches, ministries, and believers claim Paul was saying. 

 What About Believers Under Tyrants?
If Christians lived under Hitler, Stalin, Mao, or Pol Pot, were they supposed to pray for those dictators’ wisdom and success? Of course not.

🔹 They were to pray that they could live in peace and spread the Gospel freely.
🔹 They were NOT commanded to pray for the well-being of an evil ruler who was murdering millions.

Clearly, this passage was never meant to endorse praying for wicked leaders to thrive. But what about modern-day democracies? Does this command change when leaders are elected rather than ruling as dictators?

Many pastors have wrongly taught that 1 Timothy 2:1-2 means we must pray for a Prime minister/President’s success and wisdom—even if their policies oppose God’s Word.

But if a leader promotes abortion, sexual immorality, tyranny, and anti-Christian laws, should believers really be praying for their success? Absolutely not.
🔹 We should pray that their ability to push evil is restrained.
🔹 We should pray that righteousness prevails over their wicked agendas.
🔹 We should pray that God raises up leaders who will allow us to live in peace and spread the Gospel freely.

This is completely different from asking God to "bless" or "give wisdom to" a leader who has already rejected Him.

 For too long, American Christians have been the ones propagating this idea. They live comfortably in a Constitutional Republic and interpret passages concerning Christians and government with a Western mindset. A mindset of a citizen where religious freedom is woven into the fabric of the founding of the nation. 

  The problem with tradition, it creates inconsistencies in thinking and practice. For instance, if believers are praying that abortion would end, yet in the next breath they pray for a leader/president who advocates abortion without restrictions to succeed, to flourish, then their prayer is counterproductive.

  What should we be praying for then? Traditionally, some use this passage to claim we can't pray for unrighteous leaders to fail in their plans, to be removed from office legally through righteous means, and for their policies not to be implemented. 

 So What Should We Pray for Leaders?
Based on 1 Timothy 2:1-2, here’s what we should be praying:
✅ That governments would allow religious freedom and peace.
✅ That wicked rulers would be restrained from pushing evil.
✅ That believers can spread the Gospel without interference.
Nowhere does this passage command believers to pray for a leader’s wisdom, success, or prosperity.

 The Early Church’s Perspective
🔹 The early Christians never prayed for Nero’s success.
🔹 Instead, they prayed for boldness to preach despite persecution (Acts 4:29).
🔹 They prayed for deliverance from evil men (2 Thessalonians 3:2).
🔹 They prayed that the Gospel would not be hindered (Colossians 4:3).

Conclusion: Time to Rethink This Tradition
🔥 1 Timothy 2:1-2 does NOT command believers to pray for a leader’s wisdom, success, or moral behavior.
🔥 The focus is on creating conditions where believers can live in peace and serve God freely.
🔥 Paul wrote this under a brutal emperor, meaning this is NOT about supporting leaders or endorsing their actions.
🔥 Christians under oppressive regimes (e.g., Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, or Communist China) were NOT commanded to pray for their leaders’ success—only that they could live freely in faith.

It’s time to stop blindly accepting the traditional misinterpretation of this passage. The Bible never tells believers to pray for the success of wicked rulers. Instead, we pray for peaceful conditions so we can live godly lives.

That means we can pray for:
✅ Freedom to preach the Gospel.
✅ Righteous leaders to be raised up.
✅ Wicked rulers to be restrained.
But we do not have to pray for the success of leaders who oppose God.

It’s time to break free from religious traditions and stand on what the Bible actually teaches. The Church must stop praying passive, misguided prayers for wicked leaders to 'prosper.' Instead, we must pray with purpose: that the Gospel may run freely, that wicked rulers be restrained, and that righteousness would rise in every nation.

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Abundance of Grace: Abundantly pardoned

For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Romans 5:17 NKJV

 For if, through the transgression of the one individual, Death made use of the one individual to seize the sovereignty, all the more shall those who receive God's overflowing grace and gift of righteousness reign as kings in Life through the one individual, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17 WEY

 How much Grace is too much? Is there a specific point where we can confidently declare we have over-emphasized Grace? Is there such a thing as hyper-Grace? That is an out-of-balance overfocus on Grace?

 Grace is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Christ is the tangible embodiment of the Grace of God. Grace is the Gospel, the good news of permanent salvation and reconciliation, restoration, eternal life, and complete forgiveness of sins. We can never overemphasize all Christ has done for us in the Finished Work of Redemption.

 Grace is the truth revealed in Christ that apart from His work, we are incapable of pleasing God and being found acceptable and approved of Him. If we could attain and achieve a level of favor, acceptance, and good standing with God by some kind of good work or charitable deed, why would we even need Jesus? 

 One of the most amazing and powerful truths of the Gospel of Jesus is the complete and total forgiveness of all our sins. We are forgiven of all our sins not by our good works but by Jesus' shed blood. This blood was more than enough.

 God through Christ has revealed a plenteous Redemption! He has more than enough love. He has more than enough mercy. He has more than enough goodness. He has more than enough forgiveness and pardon for all our sins and transgressions. 

 Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy. Micah 7:18 NKJV

 He is the God who pardons our sins and iniquities. Look at this same passage in the Aramaic;

There is no God like you who forgives evil and passes over the sin of the remainder of his inheritance, and you do not hold a grudge to eternity because you have chosen grace Micah 7:18 HPBT

 God prefers mercy over judgment. He has chosen Grace as the way to purchase our salvation, redeem us from the enemy, and save us from spiritual death. Yet to so many this concept seems to be foreign to their thinking. They are quick to say His ways are not our ways, meaning He is high and lofty and looks down upon us with disdain, disgust, and disappointment. 

 Yet if we were look to the Word where the words are found my ways are not your ways, we would see a radical shift towards mercy and Grace and not wrath and judgment.

Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts Isaiah 55:7-9 NKJV

 In context, it is clear what the higher ways are and what the thoughts are. He is saying man's ways are to hold on to grudges. Man's ways are to not forgive and not pardon. But the Father says, my ways are the ways of Grace. God's ways and God's thoughts are on the complete forgiveness of sins. God's ways are forgiveness and full remission of all sins. 

 Some of our Christian brothers and sisters who have a more religious traditional understanding would concur that God forgives. Yet traditional religious Christianity limits God's forgiveness to the believer's past sins only. 

 They will celebrate the total forgiveness of the sinner's past transgressions and evil deeds. They will readily proclaim that the sinner is a new creation with a "clean slate." After initial saving Faith, though, the "slate" is easily stained, blemished, and needs a new cleansing whenever it falters, fails, and fouls up. As a result of this teaching, a sense of shame, guilt, and condemnation weighs heavy on believers

 The Good news is that this is not the truth of the Gospel. When Jesus laid His life down for us, becoming the once for all sacrifice for our sins, His sacrifice was more than enough. We must not allow religious tradition to weaken the work of the Savior and limit the scope of this plenteous Redemption.

 Jesus Didn’t Die in Installments!

Jesus did not die one sacrifice at a time every time you sin! He died once for all sins—past, present, and future! If your future sins weren’t forgiven, Jesus would have to keep going back to the cross every time you messed up. But Hebrews 10:10 says He made us holy ONCE FOR ALL!

Religion wants you stuck in a cycle of guilt, confession, and fear. But Jesus came to set you free!

🔥 Hebrews 8:12 (NKJV) – “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember NO MORE.”

No more means NO MORE! God is not keeping a record of your sins. The only one who wants you focused on sin is the enemy. Why? Because if you’re constantly focused on sin, you won’t be focused on Jesus! 

 Stop Trying to Earn What’s Already Yours!

Let me be blunt: If you think you have to confess every sin to be forgiven, you’re saying Jesus’ sacrifice wasn’t enough. You’re saying His work is incomplete. That’s not faith—that’s religion.

🔥 Ephesians 1:7 (NKJV) – “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”

You don’t lose fellowship with God when you sin. You don’t go in and out of salvation. You are sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). If future sins were not forgiven, Jesus would have to die again and again. But Hebrews 10:14 settles it:

"For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.."

 Jesus did not purchase a partial salvation, a temporary redemption, or a forgiveness that expires with our next mistake. His work on the cross was final, complete, and eternal. The blood of bulls and goats in the Old Covenant could only cover sins temporarily, requiring repeated sacrifices—but Jesus, our perfect High Priest, offered one sacrifice for sins forever. If all our sins were in the future when He died, then all were fully dealt with by His blood.

 To say that future sins are not forgiven is to say that Jesus’ work was incomplete, that His sacrifice was insufficient, and that we must somehow finish what only He could do. But the Gospel is good news precisely because He finished it all! This is the abundance of grace!

Let religious tradition say what it will, but God’s Word is clear: “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin” (Romans 4:8). Our sins are not only forgiven; they are removed, forgotten,, and never counted against us again! This is the extravagant grace of God, the abundant pardon He freely gives. Stand firm in it. Declare it boldly. Walk in it fully—because you are forever forgiven!

Here is more Scriptural proof of complete and total forgiveness of all sins to ponder and meditate on.

14 who bought our freedom with his blood and forgave us all our sins Colossians 1:14 TLB

13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. Colossians 2:13 NLT

32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 NLT

13 bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive. Colossians 3:13 AMP

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Abundance of Grace: True Repentance

 

For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Romans 5:17 NKJV

For if, through the transgression of the one individual, Death made use of the one individual to seize the sovereignty, all the more shall those who receive God's overflowing grace and gift of righteousness reign as kings in Life through the one individual, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17 WEY

 The Gospel is the Grace of God revealed in Christ. It is the Grace pledged in and through Jesus' once for all redemptive work. Paul tells us in order to reign in life we must receive His abundant Grace. 

 Grace is the Gospel, and we are admonished to receive an abundance of this Grace. Therefore, continually hearing and feeding on the Word of Christ is an essential element of victorious Christian living. We joyfully receive His abundance of Grace in our lives. We can never do enough to earn or achieve any favor from God.

 Since Grace is the Gospel, it is essential that we understand it and contend for its truth to be preserved. Paul warns us about polluting or corrupting the Gospel message with works and mixtures. Today, I want to expose and examine one such perversion of the Gospel: the man-made definition and concept of repentance.

 Repentance has been a source of controversy and debate for many years. Religious tradition defines it as turning away from sin, changing directions, ceasing from sin, and some go so far as to say that if you sin the same sin, you never really repented, and thus, your sin has not actually been forgiven.

 Religious tradition defines God as an impatient, harsh, and demanding despot who is daily displeased with us. He isn't long-suffering but rather easily provoked. He makes a list and checks it continually to see how often we sin and whether or not we repeat the same sin so He can ascertain whether we should be forgiven of our sins. 

 Let's define repentance and begin to dismantle this religious tradition. Repentance is from the Greek word metanoia. It simply means to change one's mind. Now, tradition has engrained and indoctrinated the masses to believe that repentance is all about sin, claiming that the object of repentance is sin. They claim we are commanded to repent of our sins throughout Scripture. 

Brace yourself for this truth bomb: the phrase “repent of your sins” is nowhere to be found in the Bible. That’s right—religious tradition has been preaching a concept that Scripture itself never explicitly teaches. Repentance is not about sin. It’s about changing your mind—specifically about who God is and what He has done for you.

    Now, many religious, traditional-minded ones will scream heresy! Let's rip the mask off religious tradition: the Bible never says, “Repent of your sins.” That phrase so often hurled from pulpits to heap guilt on believers, doesn’t exist in God’s Word. Repentance is not about groveling over your sins or proving your worth through changed behavior. It’s about changing your mind—specifically about God—and turning to Him in faith.

 Acts 3:19 makes it clear: “Repent and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out.” It’s not “fix yourself,” but “fix your eyes on Him.  When Peter preached, he didn’t say, “Repent of your sins.” He said, “Repent and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out.

 Let’s be clear: the object of repentance is not your behavior or your failures—it’s God. Repentance is about seeing God as He truly is—loving, good, and full of grace—and placing your trust in Him. Sin is dealt with not through your efforts, but through the finished work of Jesus Christ. If we keep teaching repentance as behavior modification, we’re reducing the Gospel to a self-help program. 

This false idea that repentance focuses on sin has warped the Gospel into a man-made effort instead of God’s divine gift. The religious message of “clean up your life to be accepted by God” is not the Gospel—it’s bondage. The real Gospel proclaims that Jesus has already dealt with sin, once and for all. Repentance isn’t about your works; it’s about receiving His. It’s about abandoning the lie that God’s acceptance is tied to your performance and embracing the unshakable truth that His love and grace are more than enough.

If you’re clinging to the idea that repentance means fixing your sins before you come to God, it’s time to let that lie die. It’s not just wrong—it’s a perversion of the Good News. True repentance is turning from unbelief to belief, from trusting in yourself to trusting in Jesus. Anything less is religion; anything more is Grace.

 Religious tradition have created so many confusing doctrines and concepts in the Church by not actually reading the texts in their context. They also read into certain texts their preconceived notions and ideas about God and then go around proclaiming them as the Gospel message. If it's "the gospel," and you don't concur and accept what they say, well, then you're just some heretic preaching a false gospel. No, we are just staying with what God actually said, we stay with truth not tradition. 

In summation, remember The phrase “repent of your sins” is NOT in the Bible. Search the Scriptures from cover to cover, and you won’t find it. What you will find is a religious system that has hijacked repentance, twisting it into a works-based effort to grovel, weep, and self-punish over sins, as if that could ever earn forgiveness. The religious notion that repentance requires groveling over every failure or performing penance is nothing more than human tradition, and it’s a slap in the face of God’s grace. Jesus bore the full penalty for sin. He said, “It is finished.”

 Let’s stop preaching repentance as an obsession with sin and start preaching it as an invitation to life, freedom, and intimacy with God. Repentance isn’t about you cleaning yourself up—it’s about seeing the One who already made you clean. It’s not about guilt—it’s about grace. It’s not about your works—it’s about His.

Image by patricia nahat from Pixabay

Abundance of Grace: More than enough or too much?

For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Romans 5:17 NKJV

For if, through the transgression of the one individual, Death made use of the one individual to seize the sovereignty, all the more shall those who receive God's overflowing grace and gift of righteousness reign as kings in Life through the one individual, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17 WEY

 How much Grace is enough? Is there such a thing as too much Grace? Is it possible to get "out of balance" with Grace? Is there too much focus on Grace and not enough on Christians "doing"?

 My instant response to these questions is to remember that Jesus is the person of Grace. Jesus is God's will in action. Jesus is the Father's expressed perfect will. We know God is always God and wants our good because we see Jesus demonstrate this during His earthly ministry.

 My initial response is too much, Grace? How can we have too much of Jesus? The religious-minded say they don't think we can have too much of Jesus but that Grace people only focus on a part of Jesus' life and ministry. Critics, in essence, say the "Grace message" focuses only on Jesus as Savior, not on Him being Lord!

 Religious tradition's concept of Jesus' Lordship is that of an austere taskmaster. He will subjugate and demand obedience or unleash trouble and turmoil in one's life. Religion's concept of Lordship means He places burdensome rules, regulations, and requirements on our lives. 

 Jesus' Lordship is not about our performance or behavior. Jesus' Lordship is about who He is and what His triumphant work of Redemption accomplished. Because of His Finished Work, He is Lord of all creation, all the powers of darkness, and over the curse. 

 Jesus is Lord over healing and wholeness. Jesus is Lord over prosperity and provision and blessing. Jesus is Lord over deliverance and freedom. He is Lord of all! Jesus' Lordship recognizes who He is, what He accomplished, and what He is doing today through the power of the Word and the Holy Ghost. 

 Grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and live upright lives (Titus 2:11-12). It transforms us from the inside out, making true holiness possible—not through rules or fear, but through a relationship with the One who has already made us holy. To embrace grace is to embrace the fullness of Jesus, and to suggest it’s ‘too much’ is to misunderstand the Gospel entirely. Grace isn’t just enough—it’s more than enough because it’s the unending, all-sufficient gift of Jesus Himself.

 Again this Grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and the desires the world seeks after. These are not the Lord creating rules, but maximizing our life here. Adultery, addictions, and abusing our bodies with chemical substances have lingering consequences that dishonor the Lord and impact our personal lives negatively. 

Remember God isn't punishing us for our sins. Jesus paid the price in full with His precious shed blood. We have been forgiven of all our sins past and present and future. Our sins are already forgiven. God isn't imputing sins to the Righteous ever again. To claim God is punishing a believer for sin is to disregard and make nothing of Jesus' Finished Work.

 I can understand staying centered and not wrongly teaching truths from the Scriptures. For instance, teaching healing is good, but is wrongly applied if we tell people to never go to a doctor. That said, we can never over-emphasize Grace or have too much Grace.

 We can never over-emphasize Faith. Faith is how the believer lives. Faith is how we please God. Grace can never be over-emphasized. Grace is the person of Jesus. Grace is the Gospel of Christ. We are saved by Grace through Faith. These truths of God can never be over-emphasized.

 I liken this whole over-emphasis argument to the human anatomy. Can you imagine a physician saying you are focusing too much on your heart? The body needs the brain, the lungs, the kidneys, the heart, etc to live healthy and sustain life. So it is in Christ. We need Faith, we need Grace, we need Love, we need hope in order to live, spiritually speaking. 

 When religious tradition claims we focus too much on grace, it reveals a fundamental misunderstanding: Grace isn’t a doctrine to balance—it’s the person of Jesus Christ. Grace is the Gospel itself. Can we ever have too much of Jesus, the One who embodies grace and truth? To say there’s 'too much grace' is to undermine the very essence of the Good News and the life-transforming power it carries. Grace isn’t just sufficient—it’s everything.

Living the Victorious Christian Life: Established in the Gift of Righteousness

But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 corinthians 15:57 AMPC

But thanks be to God, who is always leading us in triumph in · Christ, and through us is making known the fragrance of the knowledge of him in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:14 MOUNCE

 Winning, who gets tired of winning? Seeing your team or favorite athlete win stirs excitement and jubilation. I have some good news. In Christ, we have already won the victory.

 We have been delving into the truths we must know to walk in victory this side of Heaven. We have seen how wisdom, hope, Faith, and understanding the creative power of words assures us victory. Today, I want to continue and look at a vital truth for believers to walk in continuous victory.

  For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.  Romans 5:17 NASB

For if because of one man’s trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God’s] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). Romans 5:17 AMPC

 When we receive of the Gift of Righteousness, we will reign in this life as a King. What does a king do? He rules and reigns. He stands upright and fearless not shrinking back with fear or timidity.

 What is Righteousness? Righteousness is God's beautiful and perfect gift that gives permanent right standing with the Father. It is that gift where one can stand in the presence of the Father without any sense, feeling, or impression of fear, guilt, shame, or inferiority. It is that gift where we have been accepted and approved by the Father. It is that gift David himself spoke of, where sin is never again imputed to us. 

 That is, no sin we commit is charged to our account. This gift brings non-imputation of sin. This is why Paul tells us in Romans 5:17 that those who receive abundant Grace and receive OF the Gift of Righteousness reign as Kings in this life. We must receive of this Gift of Righteousness to benefit from it.  

 When we receive of this gift we walk in peace. Romans 5:1 tells us we have peace with God because we are declared Righteous. The work of Righteousness is peace. Peace brings us to a place of certainty and surety.

 Peace brings rest to our souls. We have the confident assurance we are loved by our Father. It brings security, anchoring us in the ever-present reality of abiding in Him, and He will never let us go or forsake us.

 Receiving Righteousness reminds us that we are accepted and approved by God. This is all because of His Righteousness, not our performance. Often, we engage in all kinds of activity to gain a sense of acceptance or approval. 

 When we receive of the Gift of Righteousness we begin to understand we don't have to do something to become approved. We begin to come to God based on Christ's work, not our own. We can come to our Father knowing He is always pleased with us.

When we receive of this Gift of Righteousness, we will not cower under the pressure of condemnation, accusation, and guilt. We will walk free from the lies of the enemy. The enemy accuses us of never measuring up and says we need to do more to gain God's approval.

 The beauty of receiving of the Gift of Righteousness is that we hold on to the truth that we are already accepted, approved, and pleasing to the Father, all because of Jesus. We can't become more loved, more approved, or more accepted. Our actions, deeds, and performance don't make us more approved or loved by our Father. The Father is already pleased with Jesus' Finished Work; what more can we add to a finished work? 

 How do we then receive of this gift? We receive of this Gift of Righteousness by Faith alone. We can't earn it, we can't work for it, and we can't eventually achieve it. It is a gift, a free gift, and a gift can only be received. 

 If we can earn it, achieve it, or work for it, then it is no longer a gift but a wage earned. Righteousness is a free gift—a gift we can't work for; it is only received by Faith. To take full advantage of the gift, we must fully understand what it is, meditate on its truths, and actively lay hold of what is already ours because of Jesus. 

 Beloved, remember righteousness is not something you earn, but a gift you receive. It’s a divine exchange—Christ took your sin and gave you His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). Imagine standing before God, completely unashamed, fully confident in His love for you. That’s the reality of righteousness in Christ.

Today, make this truth your anchor. Declare boldly, 'I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus! I reign in life because of His abundant grace and righteousness!' Watch as this revelation transforms your walk with God, bringing peace, joy, and victory every day

  In summation, receiving wisdom, His wisdom, clinging to hope, walking by Faith, speaking in agreement only with Christ's redemptive work, all that He provided for us through Grace, and receiving of the Gift of Righteousness is how to walk in victory. This is the victorious life in Christ. 

Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay

Living the Victorious Christian Life: Words

But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 corinthians 15:57 AMPC

But thanks be to God, who is always leading us in triumph in · Christ, and through us is making known the fragrance of the knowledge of him in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:14 MOUNCE

 Who doesn't like winning? We wouldn't follow a sports team very long if all they did was lose every single game they played. It's the same in the spiritual arena. In Christ, we have reason to celebrate. We who have received the free gift of Grace are now victors in this life. We are winners, champions, and triumphant, all because of Jesus.

 Living a life of victory is what Christ provided for us in this life as well as the one to come. He has given us the provision, tools, and keys, if you will, to be victorious in life. Delving into this victorious life, we have seen wisdom, hope, and Faith as important factors in living victorious lives. 

 Today, I want to go further into these areas by looking at the words we speak daily;

For the word of a king is authoritative and powerful, And who will say to him, “What are you doing?” Ecclesiastes 8:4 AMP

 Words are powerful and creative. Words are containers. They either contain life, goodness, Grace, and Faith or death, cursing, unbelief, and condemnation. In desiring to live victoriously, we must ask ourselves what are we speaking? What are we saying?

 Most believers are familiar with the passage in Proverbs that says death and life are in the power of the tongue. What is more powerful is reading it in the context of the previous verse. 

From the fruit of a man's mouth is his belly satisfied, From the increase of his lips he is satisfied. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those loving it eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:20-21 YLT

 Words continually spoken reveal where we are in our thinking and what we have been feeding on consistently. Words of doubt, fear, worry, and anxiety show that we are feeding on and giving attention to the symptoms, the problem, the lack, and the current circumstances we face. 

 It's not that we should ignore what we are going through. It's not that we should pretend nothing is wrong or deny what is happening or what we face. Walking in victory means we shift our focus, thinking, and belief onto God's provision and promise. 

 Look at an athletic event for example of what I am speaking of. Say it's the 4th quarter with 5 minutes left to play and the team is down 14 points. Does this mean it's over? No hope of winning the game? 

 That depends on what the players and coaches are giving attention to. If they only see the deficit on the scoreboard, the abilities of the opposing defense, and their own deficiencies, they will not overcome the odds. Champions look not at the circumstances but at the possibilities of victory. 

 In other words, they have hope, they don't quit. They have positive expectations to overcome the deficit. They exercise wisdom in calling and executing plays. They believe they can and they act on their belief and go for it. 

 So what are we feeding on? What are we giving attention to? If we feed on the Word of Christ, what He has done, what He has provided, and what the Father promises, our beliefs and thinking begin to align with what is written and what He accomplished. Our words then begin to agree with God and not disagree with Him.

 We can talk ourselves out of the promises and provisions of God. I know that cuts cross grain the hyper-sovereignty view so many preach about God. This is not God withholding from us. This is not God saying no I won't bless you now because of poor performance. 

 This is us disagreeing with God and unwittingly telling Him no. He will not override our will. Jesus said out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 

 Words are a powerful force in the universe. God created the whole universe by speaking to it. Faith and confession, or agreement, are inseparable truths. Faith is released by words. We got saved by words spoken. Now we didn't cause the salvation but words made it real in our lives. 

 By faith [that is, with an inherent trust and enduring confidence in the power, wisdom and goodness of God] we understand that the worlds (universe, ages) were framed and created [formed, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose] by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. Hebrews 11:3 AMP

 Our words are framing our own world. If we agree or disagree with God, we will see our lives framed by that which we speak. If we believe He holds our sins against us and speak that out, our lives will be framed with guilt, shame, inferiority, and condemnation. On the other hand, if we agree with God that we are forever forgiven and made Righteous, our lives will be framed with peace, confidence, and freedom.

 Faith's confession agrees with the reality that Grace already made. Faith's confession creates that reality in our own life. Speaking in alignment with Christ and the promises of the Father frames our world with Faith, hope, victory, and wholeness in every area of life.

 Abram spoke in agreement with God and manifested the promise. God changed his name to Abraham. That means father of a multitude. He called him the father of a multitude when he currently wasn't. Abraham kept agreeing with God, calling himself the father of a multitude, and soon after Isaac was born. 

 So let me ask what are you saying? The Word doesn't let the weak say I am weak. it says to let the weak say I am strong. What are you saying? 

 "God can't forgive me, I have sinned so terribly."

 "God won't forgive me this time, I have committed this sin once too often!"

 "There is no way God can help me. This situation is impossible."

  "I can't receive healing, this is incurable."

 "God can't provide for me, this is too big for even God."

 In summation, words are one of the most powerful forces in the universe. Let's add our agreement with the Grace of God, the Finished Work of Christ, and God's Word. Let's speak out in agreement with God and not the situation. Let's consider Jesus and the Father's great Love for us and not the problem. Let's embrace the victorious Christian life with the words we speak. 

 I declare victory, hope, healing, power, and blessing over every area of your life in Jesus' name. 

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay