Test Yourselves to See If You Are in the Faith: Assurance Based on Our Works? – 2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Prove yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?–unless you are disqualified. John Calvin taught that one should not look to his works for assurance of salvation. He said we should look to Christ, the object of our faith. However, his […]
Self-Sacrifice and Kingdom Entrance – Matthew 5:29-30 (Part 2 of 2)
And if your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut if off and cast it […]
Letters to the Editor: Doctrinal Statement, Not Articles, Represents the GES Position
I received two letters in the past month from readers wanting to know if views expressed in GES News articles represented the GES position. The answer is no. The GES doctrinal position is laid out in our doctrinal statement. If an issue is not covered, GES has no official position on that doctrine. We feel, […]
Evangelism: You Make the Call
The National Football League is upon us once again. If you have ever seen an NFL TV broadcast, you probably have seen a segment named, “You Make the Call.” In these segments they show a play and ask you how you would rule if you were the referee. I have found this a helpful exercise […]
Self-Sacrifice and Kingdom Entrance – Matthew 5:29-30 (Part 1 of 2)
And if your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut if off and cast it […]
A Good Message Deserves Good Manners: Living Graciously
By J. Kevin Butcher It’s one thing to preach grace; it’s another thing to live it. Most of us who believe that eternal life is a gift of absolute grace have very little trouble relating that fact to others in our conversation. When an opportunity presents itself, we’re glad to share with co-workers, neighbors, children, […]
Are There False Professors? If So, How Can We Identify Them?
Recently I received a friendly letter from a GES News reader who wondered about my view of false professions. Below is an excerpt from his letter and my reply. “Do you believe that there is such a thing as a false profession of faith in Christ, and, if so, how would you recognize one […]
Election and the Gospel — Can Only the Elect Accept Christ?
A few weeks ago I was on a radio talk show. One of the hosts asked me, “Do people choose to become a part of the family of God?” A short time later I received a phone call from a GES News reader who wondered what GES believes about the doctrine of election. I will […]
Are All Things Lawful for Believers? – 1 Corinthians 6:12
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. (1 Cor. 6:12) Some people charge those of us who hold to the Free Grace position with antinomianism. That is, some say we promote sin and […]
Is Faith a Gift of God? – Ephesians 2:8 Reconsidered
by Gary L. Nebeker From various theological quarters it has been argued that the NT teaches that saving faith is a gift of God. One of the favorite passages cited in this connection is Ephesians 2:8: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of […]