A gracEmail subscriber writes: "What you say are Bible truths but they are not all of the truth. In addition to belief, immersion is necessary for salvation. To preach a half truth is to preach a lie. I am sorry for all the elders who invite you into their flock. I pray for those who will be subjected to your false teaching. There comes a time when a man needs to be rebuked and reproved. I am trying to do that in a spirit of love and concern as your very soul is at risk." * * * I do appreciate your concern for me and your desire to speak in a spirit of love. However, I fear that you are … [Read more...]
Archives for 2012
GRACE-ONLY NOT CLUTTER
A gracEmail subscriber complains that I am "cluttering up" his email with my "grace-only teaching." * * * I do not use the term "grace only," but I am glad that you did, because it states an important truth. That truth is that we sinners cannot, through any amount of effort, obedience, good intentions or good works, ingratiate ourselves to God, place him in our debt, or create a situation which requires God to treat us well because of something we did first (Rom. 11:33-36). In this most elementary sense, we are set right with God on the basis of "grace only" -- both now and in the Day of … [Read more...]
WHAT IS THE ETERNAL PUNISHMENT?
An agitated Christian Church preacher responded as follows to a notice about my book, THE FIRE THAT CONSUMES. "Jesus made a pronouncement of sorts about hell, and I suggest that you and this growing number of 'scholars' you mention familiarize yourselves with it. It's found in Matthew 25:31-46 in the New Testament, a book written by God. What is it about the word aionios [eternal] that you don't understand?" * * * The purpose of THE FIRE THAT CONSUMES (the title comes from Hebrews 12:29 and Deuteronomy 4:24) is to search the Scriptures, and it examines about 1,000 verses from Genesis to … [Read more...]
A CRITIC HAS HER SAY
A Christian sister responds to a recent gracEmail as follows: "You claim to be a member of the Church of Christ but often have much different views, many closer to certain denominations. I'm curious as to why you claim to speak as an expert, as if you somehow have your finger on the pulse of all of the autonomous sections of the Church of Christ. If you don't agree with the beliefs of the Church of Christ, instead of stirring up arguments, why not find a denomination that is better suited to your own personal beliefs? You are not the judge of anybody. I am a child of God and your criticisms … [Read more...]
CONFESSING & BELIEVING
Romans 10:9-10 says that "if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Since we can add nothing to Jesus' saving work, a gracEmail subscriber asks whether this is a formula for gaining access to heaven. * * * This gospel promise concludes a discussion concerning the uselessness of seeking right standing with God through our own efforts rather than by trusting in what God has done for sinners in Jesus Christ. The first approach pursues God's approval (righteousness) "by works"; the second pursues it "by … [Read more...]
INVITING JESUS IN
A gracEmail subscriber asks: "I often hear ministers speak of 'inviting Jesus into your heart' in order to receive God's forgiveness and grace. Others speak of 'praying the sinner's prayer.' Still other preachers say neither expression is taught in Scripture. Will you please comment?" * * * The metaphor of asking Jesus into one's heart comes directly from Revelation 3:20, where Jesus says to the unfaithful Laodicean church: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me." Today, most … [Read more...]
FOLLOW ME (2)
There is a time to analyze, to study, to reflect. There is also a time to respond, to move, to act. Mark's Gospel is intended for the second occasion. It is 65-67 A.D. Nero is Emperor in Rome. He has just beheaded Paul and crucified Peter upside down. Now he is unleashing a wave of lethal persecution against Jesus' followers in the imperial capital. Some he ties to stakes, drenches in oil and burns as human torches. Others he dresses in animal skins and exposes to killer beasts. Others he crucifies. Jesus' followers remember the master's challenge: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him … [Read more...]
FOLLOW ME (1)
Most likely, the earliest Gospel was written by John Mark of Jerusalem, helper to both Peter and Paul. The time was probably A.D. 65-67 and the purpose was to inspire believers in Rome against whom Emperor Nero had unleashed a wave of horrific persecution after having executed the two apostles mentioned above (see Acts 12:12; 2 Tim. 4:11; 1 Pet. 5:13). Mark's is the only canonical Gospel with a title: "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God" (Mark 1:1). Early church tradition says that Mark wrote what Peter preached. Peter himself hints at plans for something like that (2 … [Read more...]
THE JESUS AGENDA
It is Thursday night before Easter. Eight adults and teenagers from our Sunday night support group meet at the Grace Theater in Houston to see "John, His Story," by Jeannette Clift George. In this play, which has been performed Off-Broadway as well as in this A.D. Players home arena, the ensemble cast of four actors and actresses play twenty-five different characters who tell the stories of the supernatural signs reported in John's Gospel (as Jeannette describes it) "in terms of ordinary people confronting extra-ordinary miracles." It is powerful drama that elicits chill-bumps, chuckles and … [Read more...]
WE KNOW
In this shaken world so full of uncertainties and fears, our souls long to grasp something solid and secure. We do not know what tomorrow will bring, but we know the large picture that encompasses earthly history and beyond. If you are trusting in Jesus as Savior and Lord, let your heart feed on these eternal certainties and be comforted. * * * Looking to the past, in faith, we know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who became poor that we might be made rich (2 Cor. 8:9). We know that we were redeemed by Christ's precious blood, not by destructible, earthly money (1 Pet. 1:18).We know that … [Read more...]
