Simply By Grace Podcast

What does a dying criminal, with no opportunity to be baptized, do good works, reform his life, or prove his faithfulness, teach us about salvation? In this episode of Simply by Grace, we look at one of the clearest and most powerful pictures of God’s grace in the New Testament—the salvation of the thief on the cross. As Jesus hung dying between two criminals, one continued to mock Him, while the other recognized his own guilt, acknowledged Jesus’ innocence, and turned to Him in simple faith: “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Jesus responded with an astonishing promise: “Today you will be with Me in Paradise.” What did this man do to receive eternal life—and, just as importantly, what did he not do? His story strips away many of the requirements people sometimes add to the gospel and brings us back to the simplicity of God’s grace. The thief could offer Jesus nothing but faith, yet Jesus offered him everything in a future with Him. His story reminds us that no sinner is beyond the reach of God’s grace and that salvation is available to anyone who believes in Jesus Christ as Savior.

The Apostle Paul gave a simple answer to the question "What must I do to be saved? Simple enough, but many have managed to add their theology or misinterpretations to it. Some say it is sufficient to save anyone anywhere. But this doesn't take into account the pre-knowledge someone might or might not have about Jesus or the gospel. Others say it is not enough to save anyone because it omits repentance and commitment. Still others say that it means someone must submit totally to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Then there are those who take it as a promise that if one family member believes and is saved, that guarantees that their whole family will be saved. Charlie clears up these misunderstandings while comparing it to the simple gospel of God's free grace.

Sometimes--often--the world and life doesn't make sense. This is our perspective as those who live "under the sun," as Solomon puts it in Ecclesiastes. This introductory message from chapter 1 explains the viewpoint of Solomon which leaves him thinking that life looks meaningless, or is "vanity," in his words. Life leaves us puzzled by its endless cycles of life and death, seasons, and work, What do we do when we do not have the key to life? We trust the Lockmaker. The honest assessment of Ecclesiastes shares the feeling many of us have about the mysteries of life. Things may look meaningless "under the sun," but there is One who sees all things from above and the answers lay with Him, so we have to trust the Lord.

A proper understanding of what it means to be justified keeps the gospel clear and the believer assured of salvation. In this GraceNotes episode, Charlie talks about the word and its background. It is important to distinguish justification from sanctification to keep the gospel free from works and give full assurance of salvation. He discusses some erroneous views of justification including the Roman Catholic view, the initial/final justification view, and N. T. Wright's perspective. This is a critical doctrine in our understanding of the gospel and the basis of our sanctification.

People sometimes wonder how much faith they need to be saved. Did they believe hard enough? The Scriptures show different degrees of faith, but Jesus taught that the smallest amount was enough to move a mountain. This tells us that the object of faith is what saves us, not technically our faith. Faith is just the means that gives us access to the Savior. So faith is the instrument but Jesus Christ is the gournds of our salvation. A strong faith in an unworthy object will not save, but a weak faith in a worthy object will save. This message encourages us to look to Jesus and His work rather than to our faith.

This passage in 1 Corinthians 2:16-3:5 speaks of four kinds of people in this order: The spiritual person, the natural person, the carnal Christian, and the newborn Christian. It is God's desire for believers to be spiritual, meaning mature and discerning of God's truth. The key to becoming spiritual is the Holy Spirit: walking in the Spirit and being filled with the Spirit. This is what should be the normal Christian life. While the gospels emphasize the conditions for becoming a disciple, the epistles, while never using the word disciple, explain how Christians can become spiritual disciples. Much is said and written about disciples and discipleship, but it is not often enough connected to the epistles' explanations about how to become a spiritual disciple. This message will challenge listeners to make spiritual maturity the goal of discipleship.

Jesus offered rest to those who come to Him (Matthew 11:28-30). This is a rest that comes from trusting in Him rather than the works of Law. In Hebrews 3:1-4:16, the author also speaks about rest. He is not talking about salvation but the reward in the coming Kingdom that faithful believers can enjoy. But the author of Hebrews seems to make rest something that can also be enjoyed today by faithful Christians as a foretaste of their future reward. This happens when the believer stops trying to earn God's favor by doing good works instead of trusting or resting in Christ's finished work. The example of this in the Old Testament is Israel in the wilderness. They hardened their hearts in unbelief in God's promise and did not have rest then and never fully received God's rest in their future. One day, faithful Israel and Christians will rest fully as they enjoy their reward in the Kingdom. This message will encourage you to live by faith and continue to grow as Christians until we receive our final reward of rest.

Dr. Bing examines Matthew 7 and 12 to show that "you will know them by their fruits" refers to teaching and words, not merely behavior. He explains repentance as a change of mind (metanoia), clarifies the nature of saving faith, and addresses common confusions about faith, works, and assurance.

Topics include tests for false prophets, James on faith and works, Lordship Salvation debates, and practical pastoral concerns about legalism and assurance of salvation.

More can be found at our website, gracelife.org.

Dr. Bing explains Free Grace theology: salvation is God’s free gift received by simple faith, distinguished from views that add works, sacraments, or lifelong proof to be saved. He contrasts Free Grace with Arminian and Calvinist perspectives, emphasizes assurance of salvation, and separates justification (A-truth) from sanctification and discipleship (B-truth).

This can be found at our website, gracelife.org.

Those who preach a simple gospel of free grace are sometimes accused of preaching "easy-believism." Charlie shows how this is really a false accusation and provides a clear understanding of the difference between the ideas of "easy" and "simple." It is not easy to believe, but it is simple--just believe. Why would a God who loves everyone and wants all to be saved make salvation difficult? This episode reflects the content of GraceNotes no. 107.