Good News vs fake news: Redefining Grace, repentance, and what it means to be saved.

15 Now let me remind you, brothers, of what the Gospel really is, for it has not changed—it is the same Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then and still do now, for your faith is squarely built upon this wonderful message; 1 Corinthians 15:1 TLB

13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do. Mark 7:13 NKJV

 Greetings in the matchless name of Jesus Christ. We've been in an extended study as of late distinguishing between the absolute Good News of Jesus Christ and the absolutely, terrible, fake news of religious tradition. As we've established, people aren't our enemy. God isn't mad at anyone. His unconditional love and goodness are for the religious opposers of Grace as well as you and me.

 I really must reiterate that last point again. This week I caught a video of a well-known minister sharing his views of how much the Church is missing it in conveying the Gospel. Unfortunately, his message was a different gospel and not the Gospel of the Grace of Jesus Christ.

 His view was that we need much more emphasis on repentance.  He charged that we were simply pushing "easy believism." His printed articles on the subject pushed the need for people to submit to the Lordship of Christ. In essence, he was simply pushing Lordship Salvation just using catchy phrases to masquerade it. 

What is Lordship Salvation and why should I care?

 I've mentioned this insidious false gospel in times past but perhaps I need to finally address it fully. Lordship Salvation is the counterfeit to the Gospel of Grace. Allow me to sum up this effort rooted message.

 In a nutshell, Lordship Salvation declares simply trusting in Christ alone as Savior is insufficient to receiving salvation. In other words, faith alone in Jesus as Savior isn't all that is required, there are other stipulations and prerequisites to receiving eternal life.

 Under the Lordship banner, one must not only trust in Christ alone. You must also meet one or more of these conditions: turn from all your sins, be willing to turn from all your sins, commit your life to Christ, obedience, and persevering in the faith. 

 As for assurance of your salvation and security in Christ, you can't find them in the Scriptural promises alone. You must also seek assurance in your performance and your daily devotion and commitment to the Christian life. Sin weakens assurance. If you're in sin your assurance is uncertain and your security in Christ is resting on the shaky ground of human sinfulness and unsteadiness. 

 Scriptural principles like Lordship, repentance, and even Grace carry different definitions than how the Scriptures define them. Repentance now means to cease from all sins and turn from them. If you are struggling with sin you've not sincerely repented. Lordship means you are wholly committed to Christ in all areas of life and obedient to Him in all ways. If any area of your life isn't perfectly submitted, then you haven't sincerely made Jesus Lord, and if He isn't Lord of all, He won't be Lord at all. Grace is redefined to simply an empowerment to follow God's many commands.

 So what must we do to be saved? That question is the most important we can ask. Paul the Apostle of Grace was asked this question. 

30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:30-31 NKJV

 Take note, Paul didn't say, "now brother, you need to repent of each and every sin. You must commit to changing your life right now. You must make Jesus the supreme ruler of all your life right now. Are you willing to stop each and every one of your sins, drop all your bad habits, lay aside all weights right this moment? If not you won't be saved!" 

 Paul gave the Jailer the Gospel of Grace. He understood salvation was us placing our trust in Christ and simply receiving a free gift. Why do so many miss this simple truth? I believe it's because people have a theology of "sight seeing" and not faith believing. They see the faults and failures of many Christians so they desire to frontload the Gospel with restrictions and requirements. 

 This faulty theology gives place to false definitions to Biblical truths. It starts with the redefinition of Grace. Grace becomes a simple empowerment. When we see Grace as only an empowerment we are subtly reinforcing a works and performance mentality. This redefining of Grace gives way for Law-keeping, self-efforts, and the keeping of man-made traditions. It doesn't do away with performance and ritualistic Christianity but rather reinforces it.

 Some have actually read the four Gospels and created a concept that under Grace God's commandments are stricter than Law. They say things like under Law adultery was a sin, but under Grace even looking at a woman is adultery. See how "harder" the commandments are under Grace? Grace demands much more of you, tradition says. Don't fret they say, Grace empowers you to fulfill these harder commands. 

 This is the danger of redefining Biblical truth in favor of tradition. Grace is turned into a works program. Repentance becomes a tool to strip away assurance. Christ's Lordship is twisted into a weaponized form of condemnation used to measure your Christian success. 

 Some may say brother what about Peter's words in Acts 2? He told the people to repent and submit. Did He? Reading it in context what did he say? To answer, we must think of the audience being addressed. These were those of the Jewish sect who were given Law and not Grace. In the literal Greek, this passage is so beautiful. Peter tells these Jews to change your mind about Christ, accept His free gift, get baptized and receive the baptism in the Spirit. 

 Peter wasn't giving some stipulations or requirements to receive a free gift. Some would also argue that Paul in Romans 10 laid out the Lordship position. Again in context, how is Paul laying out rules and prerequisites to receiving a free gift? Oh because he stated confess the Lord Jesus? Some translations say confess Jesus as Lord. I think the NKJV said it perfectly and clearly explains what Paul was conveying.

 When we come to Christ, we are acknowledging He is the Lord. We can't make Him Lord by our confession or promises to obey. He is already Lord. Jesus is Lord of Heaven and Earth! What are we acknowledging? That He is the Lord, that salvation and new life is only found in Him. This is not about a commitment to do better and live perfectly.

Right believing produces right fruit

 Right believing equals right thinking which produces the right fruit. Defining Biblical principles and the Gospel correctly produces right believing. This, in turn, will produce the truth in our hearts that will produce real fruit.

 Grace is not simply empowerment. Grace is the unearned, undeserved, unmerited favor of Almighty God. When received fully it will produce an empowerment. Repentance is the change of mind. We change our thinking for His thinking. We accept what He says about us and our circumstance and our position in Him regardless of our present behavior. Lordship is acknowledging the truth of who Jesus already is. 

 When we receive the free gift, His love is shed abroad in our heart. This fruit is what transforms our lives from the inside out if we let it. So is Lordship a requirement for eternal life? No, but it is of great benefit in doing things God's way because He is so much wiser and has more insight than we ever could on our own, and because He loves us and always has what's best for us in His plans and purposes.

 What if one receives this free gift and goes back to doing things their way? What if they aren't submitting to God's ways? They are just a wayward sheep whom God loves dearly, but sadly, they will experience a harder life. They will reap the consequences of poor choices but this doesn't alter their eternal address. God in His love will send correction to get their attention. Not in the form of sickness, disease or tragedy though. He's a good Father.

 In summation, receive the Good News and be aware of the subtle fake news of tradition. When someone is adding stipulations and prerequisites to the Gospel stay clear of those works rooted messages, they only produce bondage and burn out. Receiving salvation is receiving a free gift of Grace. It isn't something we have to bargain God for with promises of endurance and commitments to behavioral improvements. 

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Good News vs fake news: He alone is Holy?

15 Now let me remind you, brothers, of what the Gospel really is, for it has not changed—it is the same Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then and still do now, for your faith is squarely built upon this wonderful message; 1 Corinthians 15:1 TLB

13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do. Mark 7:13 NKJV

 We've been in an extended study as of late. We've been contrasting the Good News of Jesus Christ with the fake news of religious traditions. In doing so, I must continually emphasize that people are not our enemy. God isn't angry at anyone. The same over the top Grace He's shown us He also has for the religious minded ones rejecting Grace and the goodness of God. 

 In our last study, we struck a nerve. We addressed the issue of the sin nature. We established that believers no longer have a sin nature but rather, are made alive in Christ, made a completely new creature and are made the very righteousness of God in Christ. This didn't sit well with some. I understand it cuts cross grain to religious tradition.

 With this in mind, I sensed the need to again address the believers standing and position in Christ Jesus. With so much interest in the article, it proves this is a much-needed issue to discuss. The way religion sees the believer and the way the New Covenant does are strikingly different. 

 For instance, religious tradition says things like;
"We are just sinners saved by Grace."
"Righteousness is what He did, holiness is what you do."
"He alone is holy."

 What we are really dealing with is the lowly view many have of the believer. When we say we are made the righteousness of God in Christ, we rejoice but religion treats this as just some doctrine of justification and it doesn't really translate into how they see themselves. They rather focus on the holiness issue. They don't see believers as being holy. Or if they acknowledge that we are "positionally sanctified" this is some "low grade" holiness. God's holiness is special and unique. We can never be like Him.

 The truth is many have a concept, a philosophy, a view that is so deeply rooted, so ingrained within, that it is developed into a stronghold. This concept or view is that the believer in Christ is still a wretched, lowly, unworthy sinner. This is the deep root that must be uprooted in the hearts and minds of Christians. We must relinquish tradition, and unlearn what they drilled into our thinking.

Sinners saved by Grace?

 Christians are not sinners. Being a sinner is an identity it is not actions. Identity determines actions, not the other way around. A sinner is one who is spiritually dead, cut off or separated from God. This means no matter how moral a person is it doesn't save them. Only becoming a new creation is what brings salvation. 

 The truth is we were sinners. We then received the Good News of Jesus Christ. We Were then saved by Grace. Now we are the very righteousness of God in Christ. Stop labeling yourself with an old identity that is dead and gone. Christians are not "saved sinners."

He alone is Holy?

 This is a major stronghold. People see God as perfect and holy and Christians as receiving some inferior righteousness and holy standing before Him. We hear it in worship anthems and such. The claim that He alone is holy. Does this mean that believers aren't holy? "Oh, brother wait the Scriptures say God alone is holy." Does it?

Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested.” Revelation 15:4 NKJV

 I am so glad to expound on this powerful passage. In fact, many atheists use this passage to try and prove the apparent contradictions in the Bible. For why would God say be holy in 1 Peter but then in Revelation say only God is holy? Obviously, there is no contradiction when we rightly divide the Word of God.

 I believe the original King James words this passage best. When reading Revelation 15:4 in the KJV it makes it clearer what John was saying. The passage is reciting a praise of God. It is saying that God you're only holy. Meaning that you're only holy, not partially holy and partially sinful. Young's translation brings an even bigger truth out.

4 who may not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? because Thou alone [art] kind, because all the nations shall come and bow before Thee, because Thy righteous acts were manifested.' Revelation 15:4 YLT

Young's doesn't use holy but kind. What gives? Because this word translated holy isn't the Greek word Hagios which is the Greek word most associated with purity and holiness and sanctification. The word in this passage is entirely different. 

 The word translated holy in Revelation 15 reveals the character of God. It's actually the Greek word hosios. It really speaks of God's purity and goodness. In other words, this word reveals why we know there is no darkness in God. This word reveals why we know God won't say one thing and do another. This passage is praising God's perfect character. He is sinless and pure. He is kind and loving. He is good through and through. 

 With that stated, we now understand there is no contradiction. This passage isn't saying God is the only one holy. It is just revealing the one true character of God, perfectly pure, and wholly good and loving. This means that when He made us new in Christ, He also made us righteous and holy. This isn't some low-level holiness either.

10 For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time. Hebrews 10:10 NLT

14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified Hebrews 10:14 NASB 

 It is crystal clear. He has not only declared us righteous but made us righteous. In the Finished Work, He also perfected us and made us holy, once for all time. We are already holy. We are already sanctified. Holiness isn't what we do but what He made us once for all time in the Finished Work.

 What about progressive sanctification? I mean we sure don't always act holy. True, but we aren't striving to become what we already are. That is the problem with religion. They wish for us to struggle and strive to attain something that has already been freely given. 

 The truth is we are already made holy. The growth process is simply progressive maturity into who we already are. Imagine, what a paradigm shift would occur in most churches if instead of preaching to Christians they need to strive to arrive, achieve to receive, to pursue holiness, they were instead told you're already holy? What if they were told just be who you already are? 

In summation, are Christians simply sinners saved by Grace? No, we're the righteousness of God. Is God the only one holy? No, He made Christians holy once for all time in the Finished Work. Is this holiness some third rate, low-level holiness? No, He made us as holy as He is. Set apart by His precious blood and made forever acceptable before our Father. Don't see yourself as lowly or unclean. We are cleansed by the blood, made righteous and set apart forever in Christ. This is the true Good News of Grace. This is your new identity. 

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Good News vs Fake News: God is Holding Your Sins Against You

15 Now let me remind you, brothers, of what the Gospel really is, for it has not changed—it is the same Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then and still do now, for your faith is squarely built upon this wonderful message; 1 Corinthians 15:1 TLB

13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do. Mark 7:13 NKJV

We're in a series of study distinguishing between the Good News of the Gospel of Grace and the fake news of religious tradition. As we have stated, religious people are not our enemy. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ. Their eyes haven't yet opened to the glorious full Gospel of the Grace of Jesus Christ. 

 In our last study, we began dealing with the issue of sin. We began addressing the areas of tradition surrounding the subject of sin. So far we've seen that God isn't punishing us when we sin. Today, I want to look at another aspect of this subject of sin.

Is God holding our sins against us?

 When we sin is God holding that against us? Is God charging it to our account? In more simpler terms, is God keeping score? Is He tallying up each and every time we blow it? Is He tracking our "good" days and "bad" days? 

 Does God see our sin and then tell the angels, to step away from us? Does He tell the Spirit to depart from us temporarily? Does God withhold His presence and power and provision? 

 The answer depends on who gives it. Tradition would say absolutely. Tradition may say "ok, God isn't literally punishing you for sin, but prayers and provision are hindered until you repent and confess." Grace says otherwise. God isn't accounting our sins against us. 

 A lack of fully understanding the New Covenant and the Finished Work of Christ is why there seems to be some confusion among many Christians. Any rational believer will agree and conclude sin isn't fulfilling and takes us further than we want to go and often ends up costing us more in the long term. Grace isn't about celebrating sin. It's about victory over sin, freedom from addictions, and mercy and goodness extended to those still struggling. 

 Think about it. When we are in a hurry, and cut someone off in traffic or don't let somebody merge into our lane, later on, we realize that wasn't very kind of us and not very loving to another. When we allow anger to dictate our reaction, lust to overtake us, or bitterness to alter our mood we wish we could take back our words or actions. Now in these moments, where is God? Is God saying I wanted to lead you and guide you but you've failed? I wanted to bless you but now my hands are tied?

 Tradition would say God's hands are tied. He can't help or heal until you repent and confess. Why? Because of not rightly dividing the New and Old Covenant. There is a passage that trips them up.

If I regard wickedness in my heart, The Lord will not hear; Psalm 66:18 NASB

 See? Religion says. It's clear Scripture. How do you hyper-grace preachers spin this? If we have sinned He won't hear. The understanding of this passage is again by sticking to context.

 The Psalmist is writing under the inspiration of the Spirit under the Old Covenant. There is no mediator between God and man at this time. Sin was merely covered for a year. This is an Old Covenant principle. Secondly, allow the very passage to interpret itself.

 The Psalmist doesn't say if the Lord regard wickedness or sin, He won't hear. The Psalmist states, if I regard sin, He won't hear me. What is he actually saying? If the Psalmist himself sees his own sin God won't hear him. The Psalmist is disqualifying himself. He lacks the confidence to receive from God because He is seeing his own sin. When we look at ourselves instead of Jesus we too will lack the confidence to receive.

 Tradition is once again not rightly dividing between the Old and New. Under the Old, seeing our sin and without a Finished Work, and mediator between God and man sin was a barrier between God and Man. Under the New Covenant, Jesus became sin and paid the full price for the forgiveness of all sin. Jesus already dealt with the sin issue.

 Is God holding your sins against you? Allow the New Covenant to Answer.

19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:19 NLT

2 He is the one who took God’s wrath against our sins upon himself and brought us into fellowship with God; and he is the forgiveness for our sins, and not only ours but all the world’s 1 John 2:2 TLB

17 And then he adds, “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.” Hebrews 10:17 TLB

Is God holding your sins against you? How could He? How could our God charge your sins to your account when He said your sins I will remember no more? How can He keep track of your failures when He declared He is no longer counting people's sin against them? Did Jesus tell a lie? Was Father God fibbing? Tradition seems to think so.

 Traditional religion has yet to grasp the fullness of the goodness and greatness of God's New Covenant. They seek to pepper this New Covenant with a pinch works. A dash of self effort. A sprinkle of performance and achievement. In traditional religion, His presence, power, provision are mere rewards for good behavior. So bad behavior means He can't respond otherwise God is rewarding bad behavior. Thank God the New Covenant is so much better than religious tradition.

 God's provision isn't a reward for good deeds. God's presence, blessings, favor, and salvation are demonstrated in our lives because of His goodness and love, not ours. It's because of the Father's faithfulness and kindness, not our good works. Jesus Finished Work purchased our complete redemption, not our achievements or sustained goodness.

 Thank God for this New Covenant. If God did account our sins we all would be in trouble. Because no one has it all together, (not saying we can't find triumph over temptations and addictions, but reminding us that God's standard is absolute perfection.) Grace has it all together and in this New Covenant, He is the mediator between God and man. He is the covering and cleansing of all our misdeeds and sins. We are complete in Him, lacking nothing. 

 In summation, disregard tradition. God is not keeping track of our sins. He isn't tallying up our good days and bad days. He isn't holding our sins against us and withholding answers to prayers until we get things right. In this New Covenant, we've already been made right. We have a mediator, the person of Grace Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ. Receiving anything from God comes by Grace through faith, not our behavior. When in prayer don't look within yourself to see if you measure up and end up disqualifying yourself and shrinking back. Look to Jesus, He is your completion and He Finished the Work and His blood already purchased the provision. 

Image courtesy of iosphere at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Great Grace: Greatly Refreshed

33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Acts 4:33 NKJV







We've been in an ongoing study of the great Grace of God. We have seen how this Grace is greater than all of our failures. We saw this Grace has freed us from Old Covenant Law. 

 In our last study, we saw two reasons religion adds performance and works to the Gospel. Walking by sight not trusting the Lord to work in His people and Christian guilt. I sense the Lord leading me to further explore the legalism that is weighing down the Body of Christ.

 Law, Lordship Salvation, and legalism add burdensome weight to the life of the believer. God's great Grace brings greater refreshing. What do I mean by Law and Lordship Salvation, and legalism exactly? What burdens am I referencing? 

 Law demands but Grace supplies. Law is that demanding but offering no help or ability to keep the "rules" system. Lordship Salvation is front loading the Gospel message with lists of demands and requirements that one must meet in order to first be saved. Legalism is religious concepts where believers must prove themselves worthy recipients of salvation. 

 Are you abiding by God's commands? Are you committed enough? Are you dedicated enough? How obedient are you? How is your Christian conduct? Careful how you respond? In some circles, it could mean you're not truly or sincerely saved.

 I want to address your commitment, your consecration to Christ. I want to address your obedience, your performance, and perseverance, (take note these words make the acronym COPS, for they represent Law and legality). These are scary words in some circles. They drum up images of our often failures and missteps. Our broken promises and the half measured successes and on and off again commitments. 

 Now, I am not saying this to reinforce some failure mindset. I am not saying this to encourage foolish living. I am just talking plainly about where we've all been. Maybe you're there now. I have been here too many times to mention. The point is we can all if we are honest enough admit that none of us has done exceeding abundantly well in the commitment and performance department. 

 Religion though uses the standards of commitment and obedience as measuring tools to determine our worth and value in the Kingdom. This brings me to another motive or reason for this burdensome performance based faith. Jesus walked this Earth. He was perfectly obedient and fully committed to His Father. Some say He was 100% yielded so a 100% of God flowed through. So these leaders create a religious system for men to follow so they too can one day be 100% yielded. 

 In order to achieve this yieldedness, one must pay a high price. This price is the cutting away from anything natural or carnal. If you are enjoying life then something's wrong.

 Gnosticism was the serious error that was creeping into the Early Church. John dealt with it extensively. They felt all things physical or natural, of the Earth realm, was wicked and therefore no way would God ever become flesh. Flesh is wicked. They believed sin was in this natural arena only and not in the spiritual realm so they denied the existence of sin. That is what 1 John 1 was addressing. What I want to point out is that the Gnostics eschewed this physical realm as wicked and something to avoid at all cost.

 Today we see a diluted but similar viewpoint in religious circles. If you enjoy things of this planet and the World you obviously aren't committed enough. Do you enjoy watching movies or TV? Are you a sports fan? Do you follow a sports team? Well, that is carnal and hinders your consecration. I mean if you have time to watch a ball game you have time to study, to fast, to pray, to witness to someone.

 Religion cringes at the idea of a Christian enjoying their everyday life. Want to go fishing on a Sunday morning? Where is your commitment? Do you enjoy an alcoholic beverage? Do you have tattoos? You have committed the unpardonable sin! You are not truly dedicated!

 You see the burdensome weight of religion? Great Grace brings great refreshing. Grace removes this burden to perform and keep the rules and obligations of man. I probably need to devote an entire blog post to alcohol and tattoos. 

 Let me suffice it to say that enjoying a beverage or getting some artwork inked onto your skin isn't going to interrupt God's fellowship with you or cause Him to love you less. Look there exists no clear passage forbidding alcohol or tattoos in the New Covenant. The issue with alcohol is to use your liberty with wisdom and love. We don't want to cause a weaker brother to stumble so don't flaunt your freedom in their face. On the other hand, alcohol can be unprofitable if you use it as an occasion to gratify the flesh (that mindset that is apart from God), that is using one area of liberty to justify other areas of clear sin. That said, drinking alcohol won't defile you or make you unworthy in God's eyes. Look, God created this Earth for us. In moderation, we can enjoy alcoholic beverages with friends and relax and enjoy each other's fellowship.

Greatly Refreshed

 Where religion and tradition bring crushing burden, Grace brings refreshing. It removes crushing burdens of performance weighing us down. Grace brings refreshing where we can begin to enjoy life and each other and our relationship with our good Father. God isn't looking to see how well you followed up on your commitment. He isn't checking up on your progress, shaming you, saying other believers have grown and overcome in this area why are you still struggling? I can't stress this enough. It is about a relationship, not pledges and promises on our part to do more, do better, get it together, to be more pleasing if we can just have a little more time.

 This New Covenant brings great refreshing and blessing. No longer is it about our work or how well we perform. It's a rest. It's a wonderful life-giving relationship with Almighty God.

Old: Ministry of condemnation
New: Ministry of Righteousness

Old: Ministry of death
New: Ministry of the Spirit

Old: Sins are not forgotten but remembered to the third and fourth generations
New: Merciful to our unrighteousness and our sins and iniquities will He remember no more

Old: Law written in stone
New: Law written in our hearts

Old: If you forsake Him, He will forsake you
New: He will never leave you or forsake you

Religion is about upholding the standard. It is about meeting the requirements. It's about fulfilling all the obligations. Nowhere in this equation is there love and mercy and above all relationship. 

 God is all about relationship. His Grace brings great refreshing. Our Christian walk becomes refreshing and rewarding again when we bring Grace back into the equation. When Jesus is the center of all we do we will experience the peace that surpasses understanding and will find love and acceptance and a rich, more meaningful Christian life.

 Under Grace, we no longer have the crushing burdens of guilt, obligation, and performance weighing us down. We have freedom from shame, fear, and condemnation. With Jesus, we experience the fullness of joy.
You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalm 16:11 NASB
Great Grace has brought to us Great refreshing.

Great Grace: So Great Salvation

33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Acts 4:33 NKJV





 In the recent weeks, we've been engaged in a study of God's great Grace. We've seen that Grace is greater than our failures. We have seen that Grace has freed us from the Old Covenant Law. We have seen that Grace has brought liberty whereof we are not required to observe any special day or partake of any type of ceremony to advance in faith or achieve a deeper spiritual intimacy with God.

 God's Grace is greater than we can fathom. Grace is so far reaching and knows no boundaries. It turns the hardest and coldest hearts. His Grace stoops to the lowest most undeserving one offering hope and new life. His Grace has appeared to all men in the person of Jesus Christ.

 In spite of this great Grace being revealed so many still only see Grace as a minor portion of the Gospel. That it was only part of the motivation that moved God to pay the price and offer new life. It is only utilized for the Gospel invite but once received it is no longer consequential. Devotion and consecration are what is paramount and is all that is of significance. Personal commitment and devotion and determination are what the Christian life is founded on.

 There is no place for Grace for believers. Think openly and with honesty. We hold our hands out offering hope for hopelessness and light in the darkness. We strive to bring in the multitudes to hear the good news. There is a Savior. There is forgiveness, we proclaim. We are quick to declare there is nothing you have done that will disqualify you from receiving. Then, the lost, the hurting, the sinner hears and responds with open hearts and hesitantly comes forth and receives this good news. 

 Then the lost who is now found sees there is no longer a place for Grace for believers. You've responded, now the open hands with their invitation of unconditional love and acceptance close and a finger comes forth pointing out all your flaws and misdeeds. The open hands become clinched fists angrily preaching about the lack of devotion and commitment among the found. Finally, these open hands sometimes become hands closed clinching stones to throw at the fallen among us.

Freely Given Freely Receive

 The truth is God's Grace is greater than our flaws. His Grace is greater than any achievements we strive for. His Grace is greater than our commitments. Because we try, we promise, we make pledges but we in our fleshly frailness often times come up short. Grace says He is the missing element in any and all equations.

 The Gospel is Grace from start to finish. The Christian life is predicated on the great Grace of Almighty God. No amount of devotion causes His favor or love or mercy or hope to shine more upon us. The way His favor and love and blessings flow upon us in a greater measure is when we simply agree with Him and identify with who we already are, the righteousness of God in Christ.

 The ministers and believers who see Grace as a minor part of the Gospel are missing it in a couple of ways. One, they are walking by sight not faith in God's Word. His Word declared we who believe are righteous and holy and redeemed and eternally secure. Many times they walk by their senses and see the failures and shortcomings of the Church. So they attempt to front load the Gospel. They teach if a believer isn't committed or devoted or persevering to the level they deem acceptable they must not really be saved. I've even heard a minister once say if a professing Christian was caught up in a specific sin or they didn't believe exactly what he did they weren't "true" Christians. They were merely a "believer". They were some type of lower class Christian.

Secondly, they are entrenched in Christian guilt. Because those of us in the West aren't being driven from our homes or being massacred or beheaded for our faith we aren't truly dedicated. The believers who have suffered so much in certain nations hostile to Christians are the real Christians. One theologian that is immensely popular coined this phrase "cheap grace" in this vein. Because Christians don't stand up and allow themselves to be murdered they must not be truly committed.

 They make catchy slogans. Things like Christ died for you will you die for Him? I trust that you can see this Christian guilt. This guilt in my view is what is motivating some of this extreme commitment and consecration and devotion and persevering achievement goals intending to prove one's genuine salvation.  

 The truth is God's Grace freely offers all who will hear and respond new life. We freely receive all He accomplished for us. There is no commitment or obedience requirement to receive salvation. Salvation isn't Jesus plus your commitment to long-term obedience to God. It isn't Jesus plus your achievements and consecration. It is not Jesus plus your bravery and courage enough to suffer and die. It is Jesus plus nothing. Salvation is by Grace through faith. 

 Free your mind from this never ending treadmill of duty and achievement syndrome. Reject any guilt over any blessings and goodness you have because of where you live and what Christ has done. Christ doesn't need our help to perfect us or mature us. Maturity and growth come simply by renewing our minds to our new identity in Him. When we acknowledge as often as we can who we are in Him growth occurs. 

 As for those suffering for their faith, we do all we can to help. We provide aid and support through charitable means. We pray in faith for their protection. What we don't do is create a theology of works to compensate for us not "suffering enough". 

 Brethren, renew your minds to this great Grace. Understand where the "you're not trying hard enough", "there is still much more to do" mindsets originate from. Those looking at behavior instead of trusting God's Word and His Spirit to renew and awaken and bring growth and change. Or it's rooted in those so entrenched in guilt for freedoms and blessings they have. We no longer have to prove our worth. God freely giving us His own Son reveals our worth to our good Father. So simply and freely receive all His Grace has purchased and provided.