Simply By Grace Podcast

Many people struggle with the assurance of their salvation. It is a huge problem. Some Christians teach that it is good to have doubts about your salvation using 2 Corinthians 13:5. But that is not at all what that passage teaches. 

You will see that there are many reasons why people may doubt their salvation. Doubts are spiritually crippling, but assurance is essential to the gospel and to growth in Christ. When we understand the gospel of grace, we will have assurance. It is not helpful to look at our works or try to evaluate our faith. We have to keep our eyes on Jesus Christ. First John 5:11-13 and Romans 8:31-39 are important passages that help those in doubt.

Jesus is Lord of all, but how does that relate to salvation? What's the difference between the objective lordship of Christ and the subjective lordship of Christ? Charlie examines some of the issues with the Lordship Salvation view and compare it to the gospel of God's free grace. You will hear about the lordship of Jesus Christ in relation to salvation in Acts 16:31. Also, you will hear what it means to confess Jesus as Lord in Romans 10:9-10. The lordship of Christ is essential to Christ's saving work, but that does not mean that someone must make Him master of all of his life in order to be saved. Salvation is through faith in Jesus who is Lord, but sanctification is by submission to Jesus as Lord and Master of one's life. 

We must distinguish between justification truth and sanctification truth and between the condition for salvation and the conditions of discipleship. The Bible has examples of those who believed for salvation, but did not fully confess Jesus as Lord or submit entirely to Him.

What is the content of gospel? What is the condition for salvation? A look at the issues in Galatians 1 and First Corinthians 15 make clear the content and the condition of the gospel. There are distortions of the gospel, so beware. Make sure your gospel is clear! 

The apostle Paul explained in Galatians 1 how he received the gospel directly from God and warned about false gospels. Then in 1 Corinthians 15 he declares the two great propositions of the gospel--the death of Christ for our sins and His resurrection. He reminds the Corinthian church that this is what he preached and what they believed unto salvation. You will hear about four different gospel presentations. One is based on works, another on faith plus works, another on faith that works, and finally faith alone.

About 2000 years ago, the apostle Paul (with his co-laborer Silas) answered a frightened prison guard’s question, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” He answered simply, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your household.” Since then, that simple answer has generated debate about its meaning.

Charlie discusses his latest GraceNotes regarding some common misunderstandings of Acts 16:31 which can be found here.

What is your motivation for serving God? What is your story? Why do you serve God? 

Many come from an illegitimate perspective where they are motivated by status, power, popularity, or money. These stem from pride. On the other end of the spectrum, Lordship theology looks at things you should be doing to prove you're saved or to prove you're one of the elect. But can you really serve out of a pure selfless heart when this is your motivation? Is this really motivation out of love for God?

But why study motivation in the first place? Charlie found that there wasn't much written on this, especially from a free grace perspective. Grace is tied to the answer, we don't serve God in order to be saved, we serve God because we have been saved. Charlie focuses on legitimate motivations for serving God which includes things like love, gratitude, duty, and rewards. 

For further reading checkout Charlie's Gracenote on this topic and be sure to share it with your friends!  

Have you ever wondered how GraceLife Ministries got its start and what its purpose is? In this brief episode, Charlie explains how GraceLife Ministries started in response to the need for more teaching on grace and the clear gospel. GraceLife makes disciples how grace around the world who are making disciples of others. Hear how this is done in multiple ways.

For more information on GraceLife and resources available visit https://www.gracelife.org

Who is Dr. Bing? When was he saved? When did he become Free grace? When did he start GraceLife? What is his life verse? ...these questions and more are answered by Charlie in this special podcast episode where Charlie talks about his story and his prayer for you. So check it out and be sure to follow Simply By Grace!

You can also read more about Charlie, GraceLife, and his vision here at GraceLife.org.