Simply By Grace Podcast

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

Dr. Charlie Bing returns to Point of Defense to explain the gospel, define "lordship salvation," and defend the free grace view. He clarifies what it means to believe, how repentance should be understood, and responds to common objections like "easy believism" and "make Jesus Lord."

This episode offers a straightforward invitation to trust Jesus for the free gift of eternal life and practical guidance for listeners navigating church teaching and discipleship.

A question on the mind of many is how good they must be to get to heaven. Many people have the idea that if they do enough good things, or their good things outweigh their bad things, then they will be saved eternally. One error in this thinking is the failure to understand the absolute standard of God's goodness. He is perfectly good and therefore cannot tolerate any imperfection in His presence. Another mistake people make is thinking that their behavior is good enough to get to heaven. But they fail to understand that if they resort to performance such as keeping the law, they must have a perfect record or they fall under the curse of failure. It is also a mistake to think that behavior alone can be good enough to get into heaven. Our problem is not sins, per se, but sinfulness. We are sinners who need to have the root of the problem taken care of, and it is sin. The good news is that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to live the perfect life we could not live, and to pay the penalty of our sins, which we could not pay. So we conclude that we can get to heaven based on what Jesus did, not on what we do. Charlie challenges all who see this episode to trust in Christ's righteousness alone in order to get to heaven. That's a message worth hearing and sharing. We trust you will share this, like it, and leave a comment, especially if you place your faith in Jesus as your Savior. #FreeGracegospel#Savedbygrace#Howtogetto heaven#faithnotworks$simplybygrace

Everyone likes a new book. Dr. J. Paul Tanner has blessed us with two. The latest is called "Salvation: The Most Incredible Gift from the Most Magnificent God." It is a comprehensive book on soteriology, which is also available as a course book called "God's Free Gift of Salvation: A Coursebook for the Study of the Biblical View of Salvation." Dr. Tanner's deep scholarship is evident behind the pages of this book, but it is written at a level usable by anyone. All subjects related to salvation are covered. You will appreciate his gentle tone and irenic spirit as he writes on the difficult words and ideas that a study in soteriology must cover. But that is not his only recent contribution. He has written a commentary on Hebrews, which is also accessible to anyone. He believes it is written to believers, the warnings also. Charlie talks about both books with Dr. Tanner. In addition, you can find many more resources and scholarly articles on his website at www.PaulTanner.org. His books can be ordered from his website or from Amazon. Also, check out his commentary on Daniel, a comprehensive study that took him many years.

Charlie explains the Free Grace perspective: salvation is an undeserved, complete gift received by simple faith in Jesus Christ, not earned by works. He addresses common objections about Lordship, repentance, assurance, and whether grace promotes license, grounding his answers in Scripture and practical examples.

The episode highlights how grace motivates godly living, the role of the judgment seat of Christ, and how believers can have full assurance of salvation. 

Charlie explains eternal security and assurance of salvation, grounding the message in Scripture and addressing common objections.

He shows how understanding God’s unshakable grace changes fear into confident, joyful service, using biblical proof, real-life stories, and the sealing of the Spirit as guarantees of our secure future in Christ.