Growing in Grace

In his letters to Timothy, Paul talked about people with itching ears who would pursue myths and fables as they strayed from sound teaching. Have you ever had someone from the legalistic side of the fence make the accusation it is a reference to those 'hyper-grace radicals?' So ... who are these people Paul mentions with mosquito bites on their ears? :) Suffice it to say that it wasn't people who embraced unlimited and overflowing grace—but some might be surprised to discover it was quite the opposite.

YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/b5TdeeX2EKI

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

In spite of whatever ups and downs you've had on this planet ... whatever inconsistencies and broken promises you've lived or experienced from others ... no matter what the struggles ... we have a guarantee. It's Jesus. While the religions of the world (often including Christianity) will tend to focus on 'our' doing, our methods, our efforts and our good deeds to be seen by others—God made an oath with Himself that you and I can't invalidate. Therefore, neither can He—because He is the one true Promise Keeper.

Behavior improvements are beneficial for us and those around us. But you are not identified by performance and what you're "doing for God." Our eternal redemption is not established on improvements but is based on 'being' perfect through an act that a Savior did for us. God will not relate to you on the basis of good or bad performance. On the other side of that coin, true peace and freedom will be more fully experienced when we stop relating to Him on the basis of our performance and begin to embrace our righteous identity that has been gifted to us by grace.

YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/qbhBOh2Ymrw

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

"Backsliding." If you've been enjoying the message related to the gospel of grace for a while, you may not have heard the word for a long time. On the other hand, it is probably a regular part of one's vocabulary if surrounded by a legalistic landscape. "Backsliding" will have various implications that are defined very broadly amongst the denominational spectrum. How does a person come to be defined as a "backslidden Christian"? Does it mean a backslider is in God's doghouse? Is divine punishment hanging over their heads waiting to fall? Could it possibly mean one is in danger of losing their salvation that was found through belief in Christ—apart from works?

Let's look at this from a New Covenant perspective and scratch off one more worry from the legalistic list.

YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/_mwUoDYaEdY

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

There are no chapters in the Bible specifically dedicated to the word legalism ... but the concept can be found throughout the pages. In a nutshell, it's the human effort to acquire God's acceptance and approval while being rewarded with eternal life and other blessings. There can be varying degrees of legalism, sometimes mixed with at least trace elements of the gospel of grace. But a little bit of leaven (religious law) will affect the entire lump of dough. Whether it's subtle or overwhelming, grace and law were never meant to be mixed.

How does one escape such a monster of a phony gospel message when it seems to be everywhere in a mixed-covenant culture? What is the cure for such a contagious epidemic? Just reading the Bible won't get it done. It will need to go beyond "solid grace teaching" and contextual understanding from the Bible ... which changes with the weather. It is by revelation from the Spirit of God, who assists in helping to grow in our understanding of grace and the Savior who will not allow us to take any of the credit for what He has done.

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

Most church customers who believe in Jesus have been taught they are just sinners (saved by grace) with unclean hearts ... and need to keep seeking a renewed forgiveness from God whenever they fail or fall short. This often becomes a heavily embedded routine that isn't exactly going to strengthen one's true identity as a person who is declared to be righteous and holy, apart from works. It keeps Christians in a state of a sin consciousness—similar to Jewish people under the sacrificial system of the Old Covenant—bringing a continuous reminder of sins day to day and year to year.

The gospel of grace has revealed forgiveness by God has been completed through the blood of Jesus, once for all, and many centuries ago. God remembers sins no more in a new and better covenant. They were taken away! Now we begin to see the inconsistencies of the 'Christian religion' insisting we remind God for personal sins that He said would no longer be remembered.

Christ fulfilled forgiveness forever, having thrown sins as far as the east is from the west. With that in mind, how does one 'kick the habit' of confessing every single wrongful thought or action that they can't possibly keep up with? How does a believer in Christ respond when tempted ... and is it possible to overcome unhelpful habits that are not really a part of who you are in Him? The answer is yes, we are well equipped to receive supernatural assistance.

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