God Is Gracious

There are many ways in which God’s grace is revealed and demonstrated throughout the Bible, both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. Unfortunately, the idea of “grace” has often been perverted and misrepresented by false teachings, implying that there is a conflict between the concept of God’s grace and that of obedience to his commandments.

One reason that some turn aside from God is that they don’t really believe that God is gracious. Some believe in God just enough to have a morbid fear of what might happen to them, but they don’t have enough faith to really believe that God can or will forgive their sins and save them from death. The Old Covenant God made with Israel at Mt. Sinai was predicated on grace, as shown in Exodus 34:5-7. But God in his love and mercy also is a just God, and in his mercy and love for mankind he requires obedience to his laws which are given to us for our benefit. In God mercy, grace, longsuffering, and truth are united with holiness and justice. Like the Old Covenant, the New Covenant is also predicated upon grace, and it is through grace that we are ultimately saved (Acts 15:11; Romans 6:23; II Timothy 1:9).

God knows our frame, our weaknesses and our inherent sinfulness, but he is always ready to pardon us upon repentance, and his plan is not a plan of destruction for mankind but one of salvation. In this message, I point out some ways in which God’s grace towards all mankind, including you and me, is demonstrated. And also, specific things you can do to enjoy the fullness of God’s grace.

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What Is the Gospel?

You’ve probably heard of “the gospel.” But what is the gospel? Do you really know what the gospel is?

Does it matter? Yes, it really does matter, in the most profound way!

Why? Because Jesus Christ commanded us to believe the gospel (Mark 1:15). Jesus Christ said those who believe the gospel, which also implies obedience, would be saved, but those who reject it are subject to punishment (Mark 16:15-16; cf. Romans 1:16; 10:16; II Thessalonians 1:8; 2:13-14; I Peter 4:17-18).

But to believe the gospel you must know what it is. And there is a great deal of confusion about what the gospel actually is.

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The Law of Liberty

Is the law revealed in Scripture a curse, bondage, not relevant for a Christian because it’s been replaced by Christ? Are the ten commandments outmoded “Old Testament” law that can be safely ignored, as many believe? The Bible speaks of the commandments as the “law of liberty.” Which is it? The law of liberty, or of slavery?

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Unlocking the Mystery of Mankind’s Destiny

As human beings our lives are largely consumed by those things that we think are important at any given time. In reality, however, those things we think are so important are really of fleeting significance, and will soon be forgotten. Those things that truly are important, however, and that are of lasting significance, are commonly given scant attention. Mankind’s destiny is not only a subject about which most people know almost nothing, but it’s also a subject to which most people give little thought or concern.

As Christians, however, we are instructed by our Master, Jesus Christ, to make God’s Kingdom not an afterthought, but the central focus of our lives (Matthew 6:25-34). Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 15:50). The revealing of what is indeed a mystery, something unknown to most people today and throughout history, mankind’s destiny, the destiny God has in mind for every human being who is willing to meet his terms, and in particular the destiny he has in store for us if we remain faithful, is the subject of this article.

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