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Digger Doug’s Underground Rocks by Apologetics PressDigger Doug’s Underground Rocks by Apologetics Press Songs written and performed by Caleb Colley. Digger Doug’s Underground Rocks is not for worship/devotional use. Join Digger Doug and Iguana Don for a rockin’ treat! Digger Doug’s Underground Rocks, a new music CD from Apologetics Press, is a collection of fun songs about science for kids. Twelve original songs...

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Headed to the Office by Glenn ColleyHeaded to the Office by Glenn Colley Spend just thirteen weeks investing in future elders in the body of Christ. This study, great for guys classes or individual study, is designed to make our young men want to be church leaders and to give them practical tools to develop the characteristics of elders listed in Titus 1 and I Timothy 3. Rich in scripture, sound...

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Pure on Purpose by Cindy and Hannah ColleyPure on Purpose by Cindy and Hannah Colley Designed for girls ages 11 and over, their moms and mentors, this series, together with its study guide makes 13 very practical lessons for girls who want to do life God’s way. Topics range from purity of thought to guarding sexual purity. It’s the lessons we’ve prayed about and worked toward for several years. Recommended...

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Amazing Migrating Animals, Designed by God by Caleb ColleyAmazing Migrating Animals, Designed by God by Caleb... For ages 7-9 Parents and Grandparents, get ahead of the game! Your kids can know the answers before their faith in God is challenged. This selection from Apologetics Press' "Advanced Readers" series explains how animal migration demonstrates God's design in nature. The 32-page book includes vivid images, fun descriptions...

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Picking Melons and Mates by Cindy ColleyPicking Melons and Mates by Cindy Colley Here it is! The children's book that's for toddlers and teens about choosing wisely. It's especially about using godly wisdom when it's time to choose a mate for life. The best thing about this book is that it has a three-week Family Bible Time Guide in the back that any parent can easily follow. The first in a Family Bible...

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A Biblical View of Grace

Posted by Ben Giselbach | Posted on 06-12-2011

Category : Bless Your Heart

Tags: , , , , , ,

Most are familiar with the words of the old gospel hymn: “Amazing Grace – how sweet the sound – that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found – Was blind, but now, I see.” The concept of God’s grace is both humbling and fascinating. It is the greatest and most majestic theme in the New Testament, and perhaps is the ‘key’ to unlocking its mysteries. One may know every word of the New Testament by heart, but unless the concept of God’s grace is understood, one can never fully comprehend the profound truths of the Gospel.

The English word ‘grace’ comes from the Greek word charis, and various forms of the word are found 157 times in the New Testament. Charis, or grace, has been commonly defined as “undeserved kindness” or “unmerited favor.” These definitions, however, fail to reveal the full extremity of the meaning of grace.  Grace is not merely “undeserved” or “unmerited.” Rather, grace is the exact opposite of what is deserved or merited. When we declare our unworthiness of God’s grace, we are actually saying we are worthy of the exact opposite of God’s grace!

This is highlighted by what Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:1-10. In verses 1-3, we are described as having been “dead in our trespasses and sins,” “following” the “sons of disobedience,” “carrying out the desires of the body and the mind,” and “were by nature children of wrath.” However, in verses 4-6, Paul tells us that God mercifully put aside the “wrath” that man deserved, because of His great love for us.

It is God’s love for us, or more specifically agapē love for us, that prompted God’s merciful grace toward mankind. Agapē love is willful love; love that is not characterized by emotion or gratitude, but by a willful desire to do what is best for the one being loved. It is love that merely says “I love you,” not “I love you because…” or “I love you if…”

We deserved “wrath” and death (Rom. 6:23), but received the opposite, namely, ‘love’ and ‘life.’ This is the definition of God’s grace. “By grace [we] have been saved” (Eph. 2:5). It is both undeserved kindness and an expression of God’s agapē love. What did God’s grace accomplish? It “made us alive together with Christ” (v. 5), “raised us,” and “seated us in the heavenly places in Christ” (v. 6). Paul tells us that our faith, through baptism (Col. 2:12-13), is how God’s grace is administered in one’s life (v. 8).

What God’s Grace Means

God’s grace has been made manifest in Christ. When we only deserved wrath and death (Eph. 2:1-3), God – because of His agapē love – sent His Son into the world, “that the world might be saved through Him” (John 3:17). Therefore, we have been bought at a price (1 Cor. 6:20; 7:23). An enormous price, I might add. We no longer belong to ourselves. When one believes and were baptized, he or she puts to death their former self (Rom. 6:4) and becomes a new person under new Ownership. As Jesus said to Nicodemus, we have been “born again” (John 3:3, 5). We “have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God” (Rom. 6:22).

When we try to understand God’s grace, we must recognize that it is something to which we are by no means entitled. Though we live in a society where many feel ‘entitled’ to everything (i.e. government handouts, healthcare, security, etc.), the last thing we are entitled to is God’s grace. Though it is a “free gift” (Eph. 2:8), it is not cheap. We must hold on to our gracious salvation (1 Cor. 15:2) with both an attitude of humble submission to God and an eager spirit to selflessly serve His Son (Jas. 2:17). Without an attitude of humble submission and thankfulness for God’s grace, we will fall (Gal. 5:4).

Compare Denominational Views of Grace to the Biblical Teaching of Grace

Now that we have an understanding of God’s grace and what His grace means for us, let’s examine how the Biblical teaching of God’s grace compares to what mainstream Christianity teaches. Notice some common questions that many have asked concerning God’s grace:

“Will all men automatically be saved?”

Salvation by grace does not mean that all men will be saved. God’s grace makes possible the salvation of all men. Consider this: the mere possession of medicine will not make a sick man well. He must first consume that medicine. The mere possession of food will not make a hungry man full. He must first eat the food if he wishes to be filled. The same is true about God’s grace. Simply because the grace of God has appeared to all men (Tit. 2:11) does not mean that all men will be saved. All who wish to be saved must first do what is required. Jesus asked, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” As Paul wrote about Christ’s return, he warned that Jesus will inflict “vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel” (2 Thess. 1:7-9).

“Do I have to do any kind of work to go to heaven?”

Paul said we are not saved by works (Eph. 2:9), but James said we are saved by works (James 2:24-26). Since the Bible contains no contradictions, being the Word of God, there must be two different kinds of works. In Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul is teaching that works of merit are excluded from salvation. In James 2:24-26, James is teaching that works of obedience are required for salvation. We are expected to be faithful to God if we wish to benefit from God’s grace and enter into heaven (Matt. 25:14-30; 2 Tim. 4:7-8).

“Will God overlook my sins on the day of Judgment?”

Many abuse the idea of God’s grace by believing that their salvation does not require any effort on their part. God’s grace does not mean that we may continue sinning after we have been baptized into Christ. Paul said, “Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Rom. 6:1-2). The Bible is full of passages warning Christians of an eternal death if they fail to live a faithful life. John wrote,

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death. (Rev. 21:8)

Once we have repented of our sins (Lk. 13:3) and have been baptized into Christ (Rom. 6:4; Acts 2:38), God expects us to remain faithful to Him (Rev. 2:10). Jesus said,

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Matt. 7:13-14)

Obviously, there will be many whose sins are not overlooked. We must be sure that we “run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus” (Heb. 12:1-2).

Conclusion

We don’t deserve God’s grace. We deserve the opposite. Yet, because of God’s abounding mercy (due to His agapē love), He offers mankind His grace. When we are baptized into His Son, we become the beneficiaries of His grace by entering into eternal life. However, we must remember that in order to continue receiving the benefits of God’s grace we must also continue following His commandments.

Man’s salvation does not come by God’s grace alone, but comes in two parts. There is God’s grace, which is His part, and there is obedience, which is our part. God has already done His part, and now it is our turn to do ours. God’s grace is a free gift to all, but it is not cheap. It gives men liberty from sin, but not a license to continue in it. God’s plain simple grace is beautiful, and it can be understood by everyone.

Why Some Christians Fall Away

Posted by Ben Giselbach | Posted on 17-11-2011

Category : Bless Your Heart

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It is a sad thing – a dreadful thing – to watch someone spiral out of control spiritually. We've all seen it happen. Perhaps it was a family member who left the Faith, or a fellow church member who slowly stopped coming to worship, or maybe even a spiritual role model who left his or her first Love. Despite the popular idea of ‘once saved – always saved,’ the fact is that Christians can – and regrettably some do – fall away from Christ (Gal. 5:4; 1 Cor. 10:12; Heb. 6:4-6, 10:25-31). Paul warns those who think they are immune to the efforts of Satan should “take heed,” otherwise they will fall (1 Cor. 10:12).

I do not believe that spiritual backsliding occurs ‘over night.’ Yes, we may be shocked by the outward manifestation of this terrible sin, but the process of falling away from Christ is usually the result of small changes in the heart over a long period of time. It is a gradual process of Satan ‘chipping away’ at one’s Christian stamina. The author of Hebrews warns Christians to pay close attention to their faith; otherwise they will “drift” from it (Heb. 2:1). ‘Drifting’ isn't a fast process; it happens slowly.

Sadly, when one falls, it is usually permanent. The book of Hebrews warns about the rarity of someone realizing their error once they have left the Faith (Heb. 6:4-6). Peter warns that “it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them” (2 Pet. 2:20-22). Interestingly, Peter wrote those words. He understood the reality of backsliding; he had 'been there, done that.' Though starting out as a dedicated disciple of Jesus, his faith slowly deteriorated to the extent that he flat-out denied his Savior. Let us carefully examine the characteristics of Peter’s process of falling away from our Lord, learning from his example:

1. Pride. On the eve of His crucifixion, Jesus prophesied that all of his disciples would “fall away” (Mk. 14:27) from Him for fear of persecution. Peter, ignoring the Lord’s divine prophecy, boastfully said he would not fall away (v. 28). In so doing, he took the first step in his spiritual backsliding: being prideful. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18). Many Christians have given themselves to their pride and the call of popularity, which leads to the next step.

2. Laziness. As Jesus was “distressed and troubled” (Mk. 14:33), praying to God in Gethsemane immediately before He was arrested, Peter was caught falling asleep (v. 37). Not once, but three times – even after Jesus asked him to keep watch (v. 34). Peter’s pride lowered his guard and therefore he failed to prepare himself for the difficult times that would soon follow. Thinking he was strong, he became lazy. The same can happen to you and me. As we begin thinking we are great and therefore don’t need to mature (1 Pet. 2:1-2), we begin to pray less, study less, do less, and become less than what God intended. Such a mindset easily leads one to the next step of falling away.

3. Cowardice. As Jesus was being led to the high priest, Peter followed Him “at a distance” (Mk. 14:54). Due to the unpopularity of Jesus, Peter stood far enough away so as to not be identified with Him. It turned out he was unprepared to face the ridicule and persecution a faithful disciple would have to endure. Without preparation, we too can become guilty of Peter’s cowardice. We can become ashamed to be seen carrying a Bible, praying before a meal at a restaurant, or even to be seen with other Christians. Some may resort to ‘watering down’ Biblical teachings, so as to not receive any flack from society. When we become afraid to teach truth because of its unpopularity, we shouldn’t teach at all. Note the words of Jesus:

For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. (Mk. 8:38, ESV)

But as for the cowardly… their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death. (Rev. 21:8, ESV)

4. Worldliness. Still keeping his distance from Jesus, Peter went into the courtyard of the high priest and sat with the guards and warmed himself with them by the fire (Mk. 14:54). He found it natural to associate with the very people who were responsible for incarcerating his Master. Christians who are ashamed to be seen with Christ find it easy to mingle with those of the world and enjoy their comforts. Can we have such close fellowship with those outside of the body of Christ and not become increasingly vulnerable to sin? The Bible tells us in no uncertain terms not to love the world and the evil things in it (1 Jn. 2:15-17). When we love the world, we become an enemy of God (Jas. 4:4). Because the world wallows in wickedness (1 Jn. 5:19), how can those in its company withstand its influence (1 Cor. 15:33)? By the time we become ‘friends with the world,’ it can only be a short time before we fall away completely.

5. Denial. When accused three times of being a disciple of Christ, Peter denied it every time (Mk. 14:66-71). Away from Christ, enjoying the comfort of the world, Peter found himself denying His Lord and Savior! In so doing, he put himself in grave danger. Consider the warning of Jesus:

So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. (Matt. 10:32-33, ESV)

Though we may never verbally deny Jesus, we can easily fall away to the point of denying Him in our lifestyle and actions. We are called to worship Him, but make excuses why we cannot. We are called to serve Him, but give Him little or no service. We are called to carry His cross and suffer for His name, but stand afar off in the world’s comfort.

When we deny Christ, our falling away is complete. Unless we repent, the only thing left to do is face the Lord on the Day of Judgment where we will fully realize the error of our ways. Luckily, Peter realized his sin when the Lord looked at him in the courtyard and when he heard the rooster crow (Lk. 22:60-62). Imagine the feeling of guilt and shame in Peter’s heart as his Savior’s eyes pierced his soul!

Years later, Peter wrote about how we can prevent ourselves from making the same mistake. He warns us to guard against “pride” (1 Pet. 5:5-6), “laziness,” (1 Pet. 5:8-9), “cowardice” (1 Pet. 4:16), “worldliness” (1 Pet. 2:11-12), and “denial” (1 Pet. 3:15). We would be wise to learn from the experience of Peter, lest we fall away ourselves – and in so doing deny our Savior.

You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. (2 Pet. 3:17-18, ESV)