Simply By Grace Podcast

"Silver is purified in fire and so are we.  It is in the most trying times that our real character is shaped and revealed." ~ Helen Keller 

All of us go through difficult times at one point or another. How do we react to those times and challenges?  The truth is, our true character is often revealed in the way we respond to those challenges. Do we play the victim and pass the blame to others, or do we seek out the positives of the situation and become a victor?

In today's podcast, Charlie looks at Philippians 1:12-18, in it, Paul, who is imprisoned, takes advantage of the horrible situation and proclaims the gospel. Through his actions it not only keeps his spirits alive, but he also recognizes that it emboldens others to do the same. 

So how will you respond to your challenging situation? 

The Bible is really a miracle when you think about it. There are 66 books with over 40 different authors; and each of those authors their occupations range from kings to shepherds, rulers to fishermen. It was also written over a period of 1600 years in different cultures, times, and places. There are various themes as well including nations, the future, etc.. but it's all brought together because there's only one divine author.

In it, there's one practical goal and there's also one story in the Bible. In this weeks' podcast, Charlie talks about this story. What is the story you ask? You'll have to listen to find out!

Ever been accused of "easy believism" or "antinomianism"? Ever wonder how to respond when you are asked to defend your faith...from other Christians?  In this podcast Charlie is at the FGA 2020 conference and addressing common objections to "free grace".  Other accusations include..

• How can Free grace can reject Christ as Lord but still be saved? aka the "no Lordship view".
• Free grace doesn't teach that one must "repent" in order to be saved, how can that be?
• If salvation is free, what prevents a Christian living however they want?

Our hope is that as you encounter objections you are better equipped to share grace graciously with other believers and keep he gospel clear for unbelievers. In other words, share the gospel of grace with the unsaved, and the grace of the gospel with the saved.

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