Ten Is a Good Round Number (The Word “Called” in Romans)
One could argue that there is no need to write this blog. Shawn Lazar wrote a great book on the subject, called Chosen to Serve. But I decided to write it because I have done a number of blogs on how certain words are used in the Book of Romans. I have done nine words […]
What Does God Specifically Call Good Works?
Today while reading Matthew 26, I came across the words good work. See Matt 26:10. A woman anointed Jesus’ head with “costly fragrant oil.” Interestingly, Jesus own disciples “were indignant” and indicated that they considered this act a very bad deed. But after they railed against what she did, the Lord Jesus told them not […]
How Many People Did Jesus Lead to Faith in Himself?
In a recent blog I mentioned in passing that the Lord Jesus only led around 500 people to faith in Himself. Brett then emailed in this follow-up question: “Can you tell me where you came up with the figure that 500 were saved during Christ’s ministry? Had you written that about 5,000 came to Christ […]
Don’t Put Your Brother Down (James 4:11)
George Harrison once passed a church billboard that read, “Gossip: The Devil’s Radio… Don’t Be a Broadcaster.” That message hit home. Because he was a Beatle, the press gossiped about him constantly, and it hurt. It inspired Harrison to write the song “Devil’s Radio.” Isn’t it interesting that even a non-Christian can understand and be […]
How Does Eternal Security Relate to Christian Leaders Who Renounce the Faith?
A friend of Sharon and me and of GES, Diane Boring, sent me an article from Christianheadlines.com entitled, “‘It Feels Really Good’: Former Desiring God Writer Renounces Christianity.” You can read the article here. Diane asked me if I knew the writer in question, Dr. Paul Maxwell, and then she concluded with this insightful comment […]
Lenient Lordship Salvation is the Real “Cheap Grace”
The Free Grace position is often mischaracterized as “cheap grace.” That’s totally false. To say something is “cheap” implies it costs something, no matter how little. But eternal life does not cost you anything. The only condition to have everlasting life is to simply believe in Jesus for that free gift (cf. John 3:16; Eph […]
How Do I Know If I Am Saved or Not?
P.J. asks that very question in a handwritten letter from prison. He says: I am writing in response to your article, “Works Salvation Does Not Work” in the March-April 2021 issue of Grace in Focus Magazine. I am kind of confused. How do I know I am saved or not? Maybe I have believed the […]
Is Salvation by Faith + Desire?
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of ways to deny or to confuse the message of faith alone in Christ alone for everlasting life that cannot be lost. I recently heard a new one. Someone who identifies as Free Grace recently told me this (I am paraphrasing): You can believe that John 3:16 is true […]
Can False Teachers Keep People from Being Born Again? (Matthew 23:13)
Brett has a great question that I’ve not ever been asked: I am hoping someone there can help resolve a problem passage that is found in Matt 23:13. In this verse the surface level seems to teach that people who desire to go to heaven can be prevented by unbelievers. How can it be that unbelievers […]
Should Christians Kiss One Another? (1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; Romans 16:16; 1 Peter 5:14)
I grew up in a French city where it was customary to greet people with a double-cheeked kiss. At least, that was normal among my French relatives. Meanwhile, my British/English circles preferred a firm handshake or nod of the head—or, if they felt especially informal, a quick hug. I have been studying the many “one […]