Simply By Grace Podcast

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.

Charlie speaks at the Free Grace Alliance conference about the nature of passion and how God-given purpose fuels wholehearted commitment. Using Acts 20:24 and examples from Scripture, he outlines four characteristics of a godly passion: it is bigger than your life, recognizes God’s unique calling, brings joy, and serves others.

Drawing on personal stories—from writing books that combine hobbies with evangelism to teaching pastors overseas—and the call to action “Let’s roll,” he urges listeners to use their gifts to share the gospel of grace and help populate and prepare people for God’s kingdom.

This episode focuses on GraceNotes number 79, titled Does John’s Gospel Demand Belief in Eternal Security for Salvation? It examines an important theological question: must a person believe in the doctrine of eternal security—the assurance that salvation, once received, cannot be lost—in order to be truly saved?
While the Gospel of John strongly emphasizes eternal life as the result of believing in Jesus Christ, it never expresses the saving message as belief specifically in the permanence of that life. Rather, John presents salvation as faith in a person—Jesus, the Son of God—rather than in a doctrine about what that salvation entails. The Gospel’s focus is on who Jesus is and what believing in Him accomplishes: forgiveness, new birth, light, life, and an eternal relationship with God.
Throughout the episode, the study explores how John’s assurances of eternal security serve to comfort those who already believe, not to describe the initial condition for salvation. It also considers the broader biblical and cultural implications of adding belief in eternal security as a salvation requirement.
Ultimately, this GraceNotes episode affirms that eternal security is a vital and comforting truth—but it is the result of salvation, not its condition. The saving message remains the same: eternal life is received through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

This episode focuses on a vital question about the Scriptures: What is the condition for eternal salvation according to the Gospel of John?
John’s Gospel is unique in that it explicitly states its purpose — to lead readers to eternal life through belief in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. From the opening declaration about Jesus who brings life and light to all people in chapter one to the complementary purpose statement in John 20:31, the message is consistent: eternal life is received by believing in Jesus as Savior.
Throughout the Gospel, the verb believe plays a central role, appearing nearly a hundred times, about half of those indicating the condition for salvation. Those usages show that salvation is not earned through works, turning from sins, or obedience, but is given freely through faith in Christ alone. By trusting in Him, one receives eternal life — a present and permanent possession.
John also illustrates belief with rich imagery — receiving, looking, entering, hearing, eating, and drinking — all simple acts of faith rather than effort. The Gospel’s message is clear: salvation is completely free, grounded only in the grace of God through belief in His Son.
This episode highlights how John presents eternal salvation as both secure and sufficient through faith in Jesus Christ, offering assurance and the promise of life that begins now and lasts forever.

What does it really mean to believe in Jesus Christ—and how simple is the faith that saves? The Bible tells us plainly, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” But for many, that raises important questions. Is saving faith something God gives only to some? Is it a work we perform? Or is faith simply our response to God’s promise?

Welcome to another episode in our GraceNotes series on the Simply by Grace podcast and the GraceLife Ministries YouTube channel—short, focused Bible studies designed to clarify grace, the gospel, discipleship, and challenging passages of Scripture. GraceNotes have long been the most popular resource at GraceLife Ministries, and today’s study gets right to the heart of the gospel message.

This episode is GraceNotes #102, titled “Understanding the Faith That Saves.” In it, Dr. Charlie Bing walks us through what Scripture actually teaches about faith—what it is, what it is not, and why confusing faith with either a divine implant or a human work distorts the simplicity of God’s grace.

As we begin, get ready to take notes—or feel free to download and use this study later. Scripture references will be noted along the way, and we encourage you to share this episode with others and join the conversation. #GraceLifeMInistries#Savingfaith#Salvation#FreeGrace