Growing in Grace

There was a significant lack of knowledge in the early years of the church. The cross and resurrection changed everything, resulting in the elimination of a covenant that had been in place for centuries. Consider if a Jewish person who believed in Jesus after the cross ... but still also believed the law of Moses was still to be applied for all Jewish people ... just exactly what did that mean for them? How did the blood of Jesus fit into that compared with the continued attempts to be doers of that old word? And what did it mean for Gentiles who never had the law?

When encouraging them to work at fulfilling that law, faith alone would be considered insufficient for salvation and justification. Righteousness would continue to be pursued by works plus faith. It formed a mindset that people such as Abraham and Rahab were not justified by believing, but by works being added in order to make faith perfect. How is this much different from the legalistic mumbo jumbo many of us have heard in works-based churches for so long? Let's take a closer look at the Rahab factor in the context of being justified.

--Available on Amazon - "Clash of The Covenants: Escaping Religious Bondage Through the Grace Guarantee" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0713ZSKY7

A lawyer was intending to challenge Jesus publicly to test Him with a bit of a trick question: "What Shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Keeping in mind that the Mosaic law was still being applied to Jewish people who were under it before the cross, Jesus referred him to that law for the answer to his question. In short, Jesus said in order to find the life he was seeking, all he would need is to do what the law says. That was not the good news of the gospel. It sounds simple but Jesus had a way of showing His audience how difficult it is to accomplish such a monumental task.

In a new and better covenant, the way to life isn't found in what one does. Faith is not made alive by works ... and faith is not made perfect by works. Justification, salvation, forgiveness, and righteousness are gifted by God—not by a written word of the letter—but through the living Word ... Jesus Christ.

--Available on Amazon - "Clash of The Covenants: Escaping Religious Bondage Through the Grace Guarantee" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0713ZSKY7

The law that came to the Jewish people through Moses was considered to be a word that they believed was able to save their souls and result in attaining righteousness. The only requirement was for them to do it—all of it. After the cross, even Jews who came to believe in Jesus lacked an understanding about a new and better covenant ... as they continued to pursue a relationship with that law of works.

The difference in gaining life is found in Christ by faith. Under the law in Deuteronomy 30, "The word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it." It is referencing the word of the law. Paul quoted this reference in Romans 10 but brought a needed revealing of the gospel ... "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."

The word of law that demands doing vs. the word of faith that results in justification by believing ... the difference is as far as the east is from the west.

--Available on Amazon - "Clash of The Covenants: Escaping Religious Bondage Through the Grace Guarantee" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0713ZSKY7

It is difficult to give to others what we do not have ... or do not understand that we have within our possession. This is true when it comes to the love of God. Even many believers in Christ have doubts about God's love for them. The Bible defines or identifies God as One who *is* love. The world is filled with people who want to know what love is through personal experience. It begins with God.

Love can be considered the most powerful dynamic as it relates to God and His creation. Comprehending the love of Christ surpasses knowledge but brings strength to our inner being by His Spirit. Knowing this love is a revolutionary game-changer, not only inwardly, but in our response towards others—including the good, the bad, and everything in between.

--Available on Amazon - "Clash of The Covenants: Escaping Religious Bondage Through the Grace Guarantee" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0713ZSKY7

Many of us were indoctrinated with "popular and mainstream" church sermons which included many things straight out of the Bible ... but the Kool-Aid we were drinking left us thirsting for more. Works-based ideologies and concepts that suggest our eternity is going to be secured based upon what we do after coming to faith and getting saved will leave even the most dedicated of doers in a place of uncertainty and despair.

For those who manage to escape that kind of spiritual and emotional prison, we often hear from people who are euphoric over their newfound discovery of God's unchangeable love and perfect grace rooted in what Jesus did once for all. But it's not unusual to get the question of "what do I *do* now?" Those who have been mostly limited to having a relationship with religious duty and obligation are trying to figure out how to live the Christian life from a grace perspective.

We can't live it—not on our own. Our life is not our own, but it is the life of God through Christ in us that will lead and guide us by His Spirit. Does this mean we don't seek to do *anything* or perform actions that are profitable and helpful? Of course not. But a change of mind will change the motivation, and it's a place of rest, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

--Available on Amazon - "Clash of The Covenants: Escaping Religious Bondage Through the Grace Guarantee" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0713ZSKY7

Hollow religion tends to focus more on our actions—good or bad—instead of the work of Jesus and the blood He shed. Even the most passionate of grace people may end up sliding down a slippery slope of diet legalism if they take their eyes off of the prize ... while contradicting themselves about the gospel and the New Covenant, established and guaranteed by God. It often occurs through a misinterpretation of a few Bible verses ... combined with not understanding their identity as a child gifted with an inheritance. You are not defined by whatever label someone else wants to put on you, especially as it relates to good or bad actions.

Under the Old Covenant, Jews pursued a specific ministry of works through a holy and righteous law, thinking it would help them to lay hold of an elusive righteousness they could never attain. It was a very specific bundle, spelled out in writing through a package of 613 commands. All they needed was to do it. But all fell short and it left them in a place of sin consciousness—wondering what else they needed to do to inherit the kingdom.

In our religious culture today, the church corporation may neglect specifics when it comes to works and deeds which they think are the deciding factor as it relates to faith being dead or alive. *That* is where the law-minded person will come from. Neglecting to supply a *precise* list of do's and don'ts is a big piece to leave out of the puzzle. Fortunately, the gospel is far better than this.

--Available on Amazon - "Clash of The Covenants: Escaping Religious Bondage Through the Grace Guarantee" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0713ZSKY7

Maybe you've seen it in church buildings where it is declared one is saved by grace through faith, not by works ... and then comes the "but." It's what we call the dreaded and confusing 'Grace-But Ministries.' One of the "buts" is that the faith that saves requires good works as proof or evidence that faith is alive and not dead. They will tout that without this outward evidence of works that are designed to be seen by others, then faith is dead (and maybe they were never really saved in the first place ... in spite of their belief and profession of faith in Jesus Christ).

Even the most passionate grace folks can also slip down a legalistic slope without realizing it. As is usually the case, it can be traced back to misunderstanding a few scattered Bible verses without the revelation of a New Covenant context. Watch out when it's grace one minute and "but" the next.

Let's talk about it…

Are works a requirement for faith to come to life or to remain alive? If so, you'll have something to boast about while God owes you a debt for something you've done.

In legalistic camps—and sometimes grace circles—specifics are almost always omitted, leaving you to guess which works are needed and how much.

Works and fruit are often mistaken for the same thing.

Jesus cautioned against performance for the purpose of being seen by others.

Faith is the evidence of what is *not* seen (that which is eternal). It's more than a mouthful, which is why two mouths are better than one!

--Available on Amazon - "Clash of The Covenants: Escaping Religious Bondage Through the Grace Guarantee" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0713ZSKY7

Although we may not fully understand the specifics of what is ahead of us when it comes to heaven and eternity in general, sometimes it's interesting to wonder out loud and talk about it. However, at times, we might discuss such things almost in the form of a fairy tale, myth, or fable. It's understandable because we're living in our current reality of what we know while trying to imagine something we're unfamiliar with ... something that may be more real than the world in which we now live. (What is physically seen was created from that which is not seen).

In our current state, it's not unusual to see a type of "celebrity status" being given to the people we read about in the Bible. In some religious circles, it may even be an unhealthy, worship-like obsession. Of course, it's natural for us in the here-and-now to wish we could have a conversation with some of these people. After all, we have a lot of questions and much curiosity about things that may be difficult for us to understand. So we might begin to think we'll look forward to the day when we can ask some of those same questions to individuals we now consider spiritually famous.

Let's dive into this swimming pool with no water ?? and speculate as to whether this is likely to occur and if it will even be a desire once we arrive at our destination.

--Available on Amazon - "Clash of The Covenants: Escaping Religious Bondage Through the Grace Guarantee" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0713ZSKY7

When we started back in the year 2005, it wasn't exactly the long-term plan to have our 20th anniversary land on our 1000th podcast. In fact, when someone invited us to participate in a new launch of an "Internet Radio" channel, we had no idea if we would do a few programs or if it would go a while longer. But here we are. We just couldn't stop yapping about the good news of grace that has been vastly overlooked in so many popular corners of corporate Christianity and the religious educational institutions who have influenced them.

We hope you'll take a listen as we reflect on the unlikely partnership between two regular guys whose paths crossed in a radio station studio in 1994 and grew into a what would become a seemingly supernatural like-mindedness when it comes to the gospel of grace ... while attracting many thousands of listeners from around the world who have desired to hear such a message of love, assurance, forgiveness, and peace.

The takeaway from this week's program will hopefully bring confidence that God is orchestrating so many things through you—things that you may come to realize at times ... but often will never know in this life. Trust Him to live through you in both the biggest and smallest of ways that will have a significant impact on many you will never meet.

Thank you for your encouragement through the years and for sharing the podcast with someone you know. Your "word of mouth" has resulted in bringing something very special to many hurting people.

--Available on Amazon - "Clash of The Covenants: Escaping Religious Bondage Through the Grace Guarantee" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0713ZSKY7

The Apostle Paul could have competed with anyone in the boasting department when considering his background as a Jewish person who was born under the law. He was dedicated to it—even to the point of persecuting and executing Jews who believed in Jesus.

But he counted it all as loss and rubbish after gaining Christ, not having his own righteousness through dead works but attaining God's righteousness by faith in Christ. Again—faith ... not works. This led him to a special place and heartfelt desire to *know* Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection.

What does this look like? How can it happen for us? Is the focus based on proper Bible teaching and interpretation? Sound doctrine? Depending on the correct belief system which may change and evolve? Our program this week is meant to bring a reminder and encouragement that God lives in us and His Holy Spirit is very real. Sadly, He is sometimes forgotten to a degree and even considered a thing of the past—even by those who consider themselves ministers of the gospel ... which is not contained within pages containing words and letters ... but is found within a Person who is very much alive.

--Available on Amazon - "Clash of The Covenants: Escaping Religious Bondage Through the Grace Guarantee" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0713ZSKY7