Simply By Grace Podcast

Have you found your new life?

There are some people who teach that disciples are born not made...in other words every Christian is a disciple, thus in order to be a Christian, you must first meet the conditions of a disciple. The problem is that this removes grace and takes away what God has done and focuses on what we must do. It in effect, makes salvation a work. But what we find is that scripture teaches disciples are made not born. 

In this podcast, Charlie focuses on the conditions for discipleship focusing on Peter and new Christians in the Bible who are looking for answers. Charlie defines what is required for salvation and contrast's that with what is required for discipleship.

What you'll find is that the condition for discipleship is first to be a believer, and then to follow in the footsteps of Christ finding your new life in Him.

For further reading, checkout Charlie's GraceNotes, Are Disciples Born or Made?

Ever had a problem trying to figure out certain passages in scripture where it seems to indicate work for salvation?  Hebrews 6 comes to mind or Philippians 2:12-13; there are numerous examples of difficult passages. The key to helping one understand this is context of course and understanding that scripture makes a distinction between salvation and discipleship; one is freely given, the other requires work.

In this weeks' podcast, Charlie breaks this down into A Truth vs. B Truth and helps us see distinctions between salvation and discipleship. Without understanding and making this key distinction eternal life salvation becomes something that must be earned as opposed to a gift. In addition, scripture  can also be very confusing as it will seem to contradict itself.  

For more information on this topic checkout Charlie's Gracenotes #23, Are Disciples Born or Made?  and you can also follow-up with his book, Grace, Salvation, and Discipleship (also available in Spanish).

Mark Twain once said the difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug. 

What if you don't understand the difference between diesel fuel and regular gasoline? What about the difference between salt and sugar; one could easily make a cup of coffee enjoyable, while hilarity would ensue with the other in coffee.  Biblically speaking what if we don't understand hellfire in the Bible to potentially mean hell or simply an image of God's wrath? What about the word salvation?  

This is important because in our podcast today, Charlie will focus on the Judgement Seat of Christ (JSOC), not the Great While Throne of Judgement. Many mistakenly believe that only unbelievers will be judged. But The Judgement Seat of Christ focuses on the believer.  

Charlie helps us understand the JSOC and how it is important to the Christian in our daily walk and how we can better understand the scriptures.

George Barna did a survey some years ago, and 48% of those who claim to be born again Christians agreed with the following statement: "If people are generally good, and do enough good things, they will earn a place in heaven."  

When we come to a passage like Matthew 7:15-23, we find it's often used to express judgement on someone's salvation. But when we look at the passage is that what it's teaching? Certainly  there's a recurring idea about fruits...but what is "fruit"?  How much "fruit" is necessary?  Can we know if someone is saved by their "fruit"? ...and are we to be "fruit" inspectors?

This passage is often used to support the idea of works for salvation.  So it's pertinent we understand what it is teaching and maybe more importantly, what it's not teaching. 

Charlie expounds on this in this weeks' podcast. For further information checkout Charlie's GraceNotes #51, Fruit and False Prophets

Perseverance of the saints?  Is this biblical?  Can we rely upon our works to prove we're truly saved?

The concept of Perseverance of the Saints has been a part of various Christian theological systems from early Christianity. Simply stated, this teaching says that a true Christian will persevere in faith and good works to the end of life and so proves he or she is eternally saved. If a professed Christian does not persevere to the end of life, it proves that person was not a true Christian after all.

Charlie breaks it down for us in this episode. For more information and further reading, checkout Gracenotes #49 Perseverance versus preservation

Charlie shares a message on Col. 2:16-23 and gives examples of how churches fall from grace into legalism. Many churches create rule after rule squeezing out grace. Paul warned of these types of churches and warned not just about legalism but to not be swayed by anything other than Christ. 

So what is your attitude about the Law (Mosaic Law) and how does it apply in your life today? Are you still trying to earn God's favor and righteousness by doing things like keeping rules? If you're in a legalistic church, what can you do, where should your attitude be? How should we respond to legalism?  

Uncertain of where you'll go after you die? Questioning whether you have enough faith or the right kind of faith? Many people, after they believe in Christ and are saved, question their faith and question their salvation. Eternal security is a central part of the gospel message and many in the church do not understand this and try to live a good life in order to prove their salvation or so they won't lose salvation. This is why at GraceLife Charlie shares the gospel of grace with the unsaved, and the grace of the gospel with the saved.  Charlie helps us understand that we are secure in God's hand and by His grace. 

For more information checkout Charlie's related gracenotes entitled Eternally Secure 

In this podcast, Charlie is preaching on Ecclesiastes chapter 5 starting at verse 8 where the focus is on being wise with our wealth. How should we view our wealth, things that we have and things that we don't have? Recall that we're not to love the world nor the things in the world. One of the dangers about being wealthy is that we neglect our spiritual needs.  

Charlie expounds on this providing practical application and helping you keep your eyes and focus on your treasure in heaven. 

Life has been different for all of us. GraceLife is no different and has had to adjust and trim some travel, but this hasn't stopped how GraceLife reaches the lost. Life goes on and there are many things to find joy in.

But there are many people in this world who are just miserable. Carl Young once said many people live a life of quiet desperation. Many have wealth, power, popularity, but they can't enjoy what they have because they desire what they don't have. 

So what would it take to make you happy in life today?  Are you enjoying life the way God intended you to enjoy it?  Solomon, a wealthy king, reflects on his life in Ecclesiastes from a human perspective. In it he asks the tough questions we've all had and what we find is that the rest of the Bible answers them.

But the fact is, we can enjoy life and enjoy it abundantly. Listen to this snippet from a series as Charlie walks through Ecclesiastes chapter 6.

In many churches you won't hear about rewards. It's actually a vast study and much of it is ignored. It permeates Christ's teaching and Paul's teaching. There is a day coming where our works will be tested by fire and we'll be rewarded...or not. The Christian does have accountability, and comes down to what Jesus pronounces at the Judgment seat of Christ. This is not a judgement about whether we go to heaven or hell. This is a judgement for rewards not salvation.  

Some of the things we'll be judged for is our treatment of others, for our service, our use of money, our leadership, etc.. In this podcast Charlie takes us through our opportunity where we make account for how we live in this life. What foundation have we laid and how do we build on it? Are we serving to gain? 

Be sure to checkout Charlie's GraceNotes on a related topic:

Why Teach About Rewards?