The Gospel of Grace

[RichardBurger]

The Gospel of Grace: --- All scriptures from the NKJV

After studying the Scriptures for over 60 years and writing many articles contradicting the writings of those that place their faith in their religions and religious practices, I have concluded that most will not believe what I write here. However, I am going to write what I believe to be the true Gospel of God’s grace based on the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

The true Gospel of Grace is that God has now concluded ALL men are hopelessly lost and are continually sinful in the flesh. Since that is true, based on the law, then God is totally fair in offering salvation based on the work of His Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross. The blood of His Son, Jesus Christ, covers ALL the sins of anyone that will place ALL their belief, faith, trust, confidence, and hope in the work of God on the cross. These are betting their eternal life on the work of God and are made children of God in Christ.

It makes me sad to understand that most men/women do not really do this. They seem to place their salvation on religious activities and their works. They believe in the “social/moral gospel†taught by religions. In reality they place their trust in what they do, not what God has done. They cannot deny themselves and follow Jesus. They will not relinquish control of their salvation to God and, instead, place their bets on what they “do for God“, not on what God has done for them.

The following Scriptures show us that it is the work of God that saves.

2 Cor 1:20-22
20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God,
22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

Rom 8:35-39
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written:

"For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,
39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 Tim 1:8-12
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,
9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,
10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

1 Peter 1:3-5
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 Cor 15:56-58
56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

1 John 5:4-5
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith.
5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

All those that place ALL their belief, faith, trust, confidence, and hope in the work of God on the cross are kept by the power of God, not by their own power. Many do not believe this and I, personally, believe them to be hopelessly lost.

Now will come the religious quoting James and saying “faith without works is dead.â€

 

[smaller]

The Gospel of Grace: --- All scriptures from the NKJV

After studying the Scriptures for over 60 years and writing many articles contradicting the writings of those that place their faith in their religions and religious practices, I have concluded that most will not believe what I write here. However, I am going to write what I believe to be the true Gospel of God’s grace based on the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.


Now will come the religious quoting James and saying “faith without works is dead.â€

Both Paul and John have the same position as James.

1 Corinthians 13:2
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

1 John 3:17
But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

Sorry that after 60 years you missed that simplicity.

s

 

[RichardBurger]

Both Paul and John have the same position as James.

1 Corinthians 13:2
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

1 John 3:17
But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

Sorry that after 60 years you missed that simplicity.

s

I didn't miss anything. Your reply would have been fine and neutral except for your comment about me personally.

Since you say we must love others, where is your love for me? You, and others, show animosity towards me very evident and yet you claim you have love. If you claim it show it.

I have been telling everyone that people believe they have love but that they don’t. When Jesus told the story about the “good Samaritan” religious people say to themselves “Oh! I do that ALL THE TIME when in fact they know they don’t. They are only fooling themselves.

Every child of God that I know of does some good works at times but they are not on forums trying to tell everyone that they are only saved if they do good works as if they really do them all the time. I show my good works by telling everyone, that will listen, about the salvation that God has provided for those that can not do good works all the time. But many want to lay a burden on others that they do not carry themselves.

Luke 18:19-23
19 So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.
20 You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Honor your father and your mother.'"
21 And he said, "All these things I have kept from my youth."
22 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
23 But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.
NKJV

Those that say they do good then do as Jesus said.

Look at the rest of the story.

1 Corinthians 13
The Greatest Gift 13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

This is what real love is;
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
NKJV

 

[Michae1]

Both Paul and John have the same position as James.

1 Corinthians 13:2
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

1 John 3:17
But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

Sorry that after 60 years you missed that simplicity.

s

Well I have only been looking at your post for about five minutes and i do not see how those two scriptures you quote have anything to do with James saying "faith without works is dead", unless you really read into it.

I believe that would not be a proper way to interpret the Scriptures.

 

[smaller]

I didn't miss anything. Your reply would have been fine and neutral except for your comment about me personally.

Sorry. Can't help but to show that both Paul and John are clear that A. Faith without love leaves the person with faith as nothing, and B. John says that one can say they whatever they want about these matters BUT if they see a brother in need and are without compassion works how does the love of God dwell in them.

Make of it what you will.

Since you say we must love others, where is your love for me? You, and others, show animosity towards me very evident and yet you claim you have love. If you claim it show it.

I don't doubt your eternal security whatsoever so pass on that deal. And secondly when any person makes a claim it is subject to measure and testing. There is no offence available in the discourse of examinations. That is the fun part of theology. IF however you command ALL to bow to your understanding and yours only, then I may say...hmmm...maybe I'm not into worship of your particular construct because I've already been down that trail and came up empty handed...so consider an alternative just for kicks.

I have been telling everyone that people believe they have love but that they don’t. When Jesus told the story about the “good Samaritan†religious people say to themselves “Oh! I do that ALL THE TIME when in fact they know they don’t. They are only fooling themselves.

Richard, I understand what you are saying. NONE of us can love as God loves. We all know that. That does not mean we just throw up our hands and say forget it ENTIRELY. Love is good. Love makes me happy inside. I love to love, don't you? I don't care about the consequences one way or another or attaching that to my eternal destiny. Love HAS to be proved 'on the ground' we current stand on to SEE if it is any GOOD. It is only GOOD when we see God Involved with us in these matters. Fwiw, no matter what we may discuss, I have no issues with you for whatever position you currently hold as a person, having held more than my share myself. It's not like you're the only one who has contemplated these matters. If someone else comes along and GOD has shown them something that fits for me, I will test it first and more than likely accept and incorporate their TRUTH. That's how sharing works. It is a BENEFIT.

Every child of God that I know of does some good works at times but they are not on forums trying to tell everyone that they are only saved if they do good works as if they really do them all the time. I show my good works by telling everyone, that will listen, about the salvation that God has provided for those that can not do good works all the time. But many want to lay a burden on others that they do not carry themselves.

Let me be the first to say that there are no excuses available for me nor are there any personal justifications. I gave up on that measure long ago because I can NOT compete with God. Nor would I expect any other person to. Yer OK with me no matter what.

Luke 18:19-23
19 So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.
20 You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Honor your father and your mother.'"
21 And he said, "All these things I have kept from my youth."
22 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
23 But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.
NKJV

Those that say they do good then do as Jesus said.

Look at the rest of the story.

1 Corinthians 13
The Greatest Gift 13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

This is what real love is;
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
NKJV

Love is of God. Everyone who loves knows God and is born of God. (synop. of 1 John 4:7)

s

 

[Nathan]

Since you say we must love others, where is your love for me? You, and others, show animosity towards me very evident and yet you claim you have love. If you claim it show it.

I am not going to argue what you feel. Feelings are real. Love is not quiet, however. Love is definitely not sarcastic, and I apologize for all sarcastic comments I have made. Please forgive me.

Love does care enough to reach out and develop a relationship with another. It doesn't insist on its own way, but it cannot succumb to the way of error.

 

[francisdesales]

Well I have only been looking at your post for about five minutes and i do not see how those two scriptures you quote have anything to do with James saying "faith without works is dead", unless you really read into it.

I believe that would not be a proper way to interpret the Scriptures.

citing 1 Cor 13:2 clearly refutes the idea that one is saved by faith alone. It means the same thing as "faith WITHOUT works (of love) is dead". Paul does not agree with the Protestant notion of the automatic conveyor belt where faith always provide love. Having a TREMENDOUS amount of faith CAN be WORTHLESS without something else...

Thus, faith alone is dead.

Regards

 

[Nathan]

citing 1 Cor 13:2 clearly refutes the idea that one is saved by faith alone. It means the same thing as "faith WITHOUT works (of love) is dead". Paul does not agree with the Protestant notion of the automatic conveyor belt where faith always provide love. Having a TREMENDOUS amount of faith CAN be WORTHLESS without something else...

Thus, faith alone is dead.

Regards

No. Faith alone......but if your faith is fruitless...then your faith is dead, and the faith you have will be worthless when it comes time for Him to replace it with white robes and salvation.

1Peter 1:6-9 "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

Trials come to test and see if our faith is genuine. Not necessarily so that God can see it, but that we can see it. If we go through hard times and nothing but hatred, anger, disgust, jealousy, envy, and lack of self control (to just name a few) come out of us then it is a good indication of what is in us. Where as if we see love, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness, and goodness we can then glorify God for the work He is doing in us, and have confidence before Him.

Trials are good things.

Faith alone in the promises, ALL THE PROMISES, of God, is what will be invaluable in the Kingdom. The outcome of that faith is our salvation. What we often try to do is put the cart before the horse. Scripture and New Testament writings are very clear that salvation is awaiting us on that day He comes to set up His kingdom. That salvation is free, it can never be "repaid" or "earned".

Romans 4:16 "That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring--not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all."

So is it just faith in a dieing man on a cross? No sir. If you want to hold fast to the teachings set forth in Romans chapter 4 you must hold to all the teachings.

Romans 4:22-25 "That is why his faith was"counted to him as righteousness." But the words "it was counted to him" were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in Him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification."

All to often we want to leave out that last part. He was raised for our justification that we might walk in newness of life. If we choose to not walk in newness of life we in effect deny the very faith that Abraham had. We say, "God is not capable of living in me and producing righteousness in me".

Romans 5:18-21 "Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

A "Lord" is not just a fanciful name we give to Jesus. He is either our Lord, or He is not. If He is, then we are subject to Him. If we choose not to be subject to Him, He cannot be our Lord.

There is an extreme argument/debate that takes place between Jesus and the scribes and pharisees in the 8th chapter of John. Suffice to say that Jesus was trying to get them to understand that the one and only true faith that will save is a faith that is based in the finished work on the cross, but that includes the work that He does in us. He does not hold back but shows them with tangible examples that the "works" they do "show" that they are not of the faith of Abraham.

Jhn 8:28-44 [edited for brevity] "So Jesus said to them, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He...As he was saying these things, many believed in him. So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.[free to do what?] "They answered him, "We are offspring of Abraham [faith] and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, 'You will become free'?" Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free[free from a life of sinning!!] indeed.I know that you are offspring[not faith] of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father." They answered him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did...You are doing the works your father did." They said to him, "We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father--even God." Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me...You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires..."

Ok, so there are no works...right? Nope. Just a love for Christ.

Ahhh....is love something that is hidden? Or can it be tangibly seen? Do I really need to answer that question?

John 14:15 "If you love me, you will keep my commandments."

John 14:21 "Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him."

John 14:23 "Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."

John 14:24 "Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me."

Explain it away if you will, its your choice, but loving and keeping are action words. Plain and Simple.

 

[Michae1]

citing 1 Cor 13:2 clearly refutes the idea that one is saved by faith alone. It means the same thing as "faith WITHOUT works (of love) is dead". Paul does not agree with the Protestant notion of the automatic conveyor belt where faith always provide love. Having a TREMENDOUS amount of faith CAN be WORTHLESS without something else...

Thus, faith alone is dead.

Regards

I am probably not going to change your mind but 1 Cor 13:2 was Paul talking about gifts, and the greatest gift being "Love". He was not talking about works at all. It looks like you are inserting it.

I sense that your heart is in the right place but you may have inadvertently taken Scripture out of context. Contextual interpretation involves always taking the surrounding context of a verse/passage into consideration when trying to determine its meaning.

 

[smaller]

I am probably not going to change your mind but 1 Cor 13:2 was Paul talking about gifts, and the greatest gift being "Love". He was not talking about works at all. It looks like you are inserting it.

I sense that your heart is in the right place but you may have inadvertently taken Scripture out of context. Contextual interpretation involves always taking the surrounding context of a verse/passage into consideration when trying to determine its meaning.

We know that unbelievers will be judged by their works. Why would we expect any less from believers who know better?

This from the Apostle of GRACE:

Romans 2

3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

 

[Nathan]

I am probably not going to change your mind but 1 Cor 13:2 was Paul talking about gifts, and the greatest gift being "Love". He was not talking about works at all. It looks like you are inserting it.

I sense that your heart is in the right place but you may have inadvertently taken Scripture out of context. Contextual interpretation involves always taking the surrounding context of a verse/passage into consideration when trying to determine its meaning.

Yes, but not only the surrounding text, but all text.

Example being the temptation of Jesus by satan. Satan quoted Scripture and he quoted it correctly, but the motive was wrong. Jesus refuted it with additional Scripture that was not in the surrounding text, but applicable because it delt with the situation at hand.

The Bible as a WHOLE must be taken into context.

 

[francisdesales]

I am probably not going to change your mind but 1 Cor 13:2 was Paul talking about gifts, and the greatest gift being "Love". He was not talking about works at all. It looks like you are inserting it.

My friend, do you REALLY believe that explanation???

Everything we receive from God is a gift. That includes "faith" as well...

Faith and Love are used in the same sentence in the same way. You are casually brushing aside Sacred Scriptures to defend a cliche (sola fide) when the Bible very clearly tells us that we MUST LOVE!!!

Your explanation is an example of taking things out of context - for what you do with Love must be done with Faith, as well, in context. They are both gifts. Thus, there is no invented category here...

Regards

 

[Michae1]

My friend, do you REALLY believe that explanation???

Everything we receive from God is a gift. That includes "faith" as well...

Faith and Love are used in the same sentence in the same way. You are casually brushing aside Sacred Scriptures to defend a cliche (sola fide) when the Bible very clearly tells us that we MUST LOVE!!!

Your explanation is an example of taking things out of context - for what you do with Love must be done with Faith, as well, in context. They are both gifts. Thus, there is no invented category here...

Regards

I must respectfully say "No." You are the one who is taking scripture out of context. I explained it, and all anyone has to do is read the surrounding scripture to see that what I said was true. I am done. This is a futile discussion. I guess I am just irritated at being accused of taking scripture out of context, when clearly I have not.

Good day.

 

[francisdesales]

I must respectfully say "No." You are the one who is taking scripture out of context. I explained it, and all anyone has to do is read the surrounding scripture to see that what I said was true. I am done. This is a futile discussion. I guess I am just irritated at being accused of taking scripture out of context, when clearly I have not.

Good day.

Is faith a gift or not?

Sorry, your explanation makes a mockery out of what Paul writes in 1 Cor 13. That "Paul was just talking about gifts" (regarding love) is silly, since Paul calls faith a gift in Ephesians 2. They are both gifts, so your explanation makes no sense, it just is a lame attempt to defend the cliche sola fide.

Now, that you are irritated and feel the need to bail, that is a good sign that you are wrong but don't want to admit it...

Regards