📖 Post 7: The Gift of God – Eternal Life, Not a Reward

📖 Post 7: The Gift of God – Eternal Life, Not a Reward

by | Jun 6, 2025 | Not of Works Series | 0 comments

Series: Not of Works – A Series on the Gospel of Grace

 

Anchor Text: Romans 6:23

 

Salvation is not a paycheck for good behavior.
It’s not a reward for perseverance, obedience, or fruitfulness.
It’s a gift.

 

And if it’s a gift, it’s not earned—it’s received.

 

🎁 What Does the Bible Say?

 

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
 —Romans 6:23

 

There’s no footnote.
No conditions.
No fine print.

 

Eternal life isn’t granted at the end of a faithful life. It’s given the moment a sinner believes the gospel.

 

🛑 The Danger of Treating the Gift Like a Reward

 

Many preachers often redefine grace like this:

 

“Salvation is by grace alone… but you must prove it’s real by the way you live, or you won’t receive eternal life.”

 

That’s not grace.
That’s wages.

 

“Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.”
 —Romans 4:4

 

If you’re trying to prove, earn, or finish your salvation—you’ve left grace behind.

 

✅ A True Gift Has No Strings Attached

 

“Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
 —Romans 3:24

 

“It is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
 —Ephesians 2:8–9

 

There is no holiness quota.
No fruitfulness clause.
No secret performance standard.

 

The gift of eternal life is offered freely—paid for by the blood of Christ.

 

All God asks is that you believe.

 

🗝️ Key Takeaway

 

Eternal life is not the reward of the righteous.
It is the gift to the guilty.

No striving. No proving.
Just believing.

 

Explore the Full Series

 

📖 Post 6: Ministers of Righteousness – Satan’s Strategy

📖 Post 6: Ministers of Righteousness – Satan’s Strategy

by | Jun 6, 2025 | Not of Works Series | 0 comments

Series: Not of Works – A Series on the Gospel of Grace

 

Anchor Text: 2 Corinthians 11:13–15

 

⚠️Many denominations—especially in America—preach some form of “final salvation.”
Over the years, I’ve met countless people who didn’t even realize they were trusting in a faith plus something gospel.
Whether it’s faith plus fruit, obedience, baptism, law-keeping, or perseverance, the result is the same:
They weren’t resting in faith alone in the finished work of Christ on the cross. But in another gospel!

‘But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. ‘

Galatians 1:8

 

Satan’s strategy has never been to deny religion—it’s to corrupt it.

 

He doesn’t just appear in sin and darkness. He shows up in pulpits. In churches. In robes and suits and smiles. And the message he promotes sounds very holy.

 

“Live right.”
“Pursue holiness.”
 “Faith alone isn’t enough—you must finish strong.”

 

It sounds biblical. But it’s another gospel—a deadly mixture of grace and works.

 

👔 Not What You’d Expect

 

Paul warned the Corinthians about false apostles who preached a gospel that sounded good—but was anything but grace.

 

“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.
 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.
 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness…”
 —2 Corinthians 11:13–15

 

Satan doesn’t show up saying, “Reject Jesus.”
He shows up saying, “Follow Jesus better… or else.”

 

🔥 A Gospel That Demands Holiness to Be Saved

 

The modern “gospel” being preached today sounds like this:

 

“You’re justified by faith alone—but only finally saved if your life proves it. You must bear fruit. You must pursue holiness. You must kill sin—or you won’t get in.”

 

It sounds like light. But it’s bondage in disguise.

 

“Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?”
—Galatians 3:3

 

This is Satan’s strategy: distort the gospel, elevate human effort, and make you trust in your performance rather than the finished work of Christ.

 

❌ These Are Not Minor Errors

 

Paul doesn’t say “be careful” with these teachers.
He says they are accursed (Galatians 1:9).

 

Why? Because they turn the good news of free salvation into a system of religious performance.

 

🗝️ Key Takeaway

 

Not all who preach righteousness are preaching the gospel.

 

Some are Satan’s ministers, preaching a message of condemnation dressed up as holiness.

 

But the true gospel is simple:

 

Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose again. Believe it—and you are saved.

 

Explore the Full Series

 

📖 Post 5: The Role of Holiness (and What It Isn’t)

📖 Post 5: The Role of Holiness (and What It Isn’t)

by | Jun 6, 2025 | Not of Works Series | 0 comments

Series: Not of Works – A Series on the Gospel of Grace

Anchor Text: Hebrews 12:14 (rightly divided)

 

One of the most misused verses in Scripture is Hebrews 12:14:

 

“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”

 

It’s often quoted to claim that holiness is a requirement to get to heaven—as if eternal life is granted only to those who maintain a life of ongoing purity and godliness.

 

⚠️Many denominations—especially in America—preach some form of “final salvation.”
Over the years, I’ve met countless people who didn’t even realize they were trusting in a faith plus something gospel.
Whether it’s faith plus fruit, obedience, baptism, law-keeping, or perseverance, the result is the same:
They weren’t resting in faith alone in the finished work of Christ on the cross. But in another gospel!

‘But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. ‘

Galatians 1:8

 

But is that what the verse really teaches?

 

Let’s take a closer look.

 

🔎 Who Was Hebrews Written To?

 

The book of Hebrews was written to… Hebrews.

 

Specifically, Jewish believers who were being tempted to return to Judaism and abandon the faith, and to Jews that were on the fence about Jesus being the Christ. The entire letter is an about what came before was good but now after the cross it is better. The book of Hebrews is also an exhortation to remain in the truth, not a gospel tract outlining how to be saved.

 

Hebrews 12:14 is an encouragement to walk worthy—not a condition for salvation.

 

✝️ Holiness Is a Result, Not a Requirement

 

Holiness is not what gets you into heaven.
It’s what God produces in you once you’ve been saved.

 

“For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.”
 —Hebrews 10:14

 

“But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption…”
 —1 Corinthians 1:30

 

You don’t pursue holiness to get saved—you pursue holiness because you are saved.

 

⚠️ The Danger of Twisting Hebrews 12:14

 

To say that holiness is a condition for entering heaven is to:

 

  • Add works to the gospel
  • Strip the believer of assurance
  • Turn sanctification into a salvation requirement

 

It replaces grace with effort, and it preaches fear instead of freedom.

 

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”
 —Galatians 5:1

 

🗝️ Key Takeaway

 

Holiness matters. But not as a ticket to heaven.
It is the result of the Holy Spirit’s work in you—not the basis on which you are accepted by God.

 

‘I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”’

Galatians 2:21

 

We are saved by grace through faith in Christ’s finished work—not by our personal holiness.

 

Explore the Full Series

 

📖Why Hebrews Not a Gospel Tract: A Call to Believe, Not a Warning About Losing Salvation

📖Why Hebrews Not a Gospel Tract: A Call to Believe, Not a Warning About Losing Salvation

by | Jun 6, 2025 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

Rightly Understanding Its Audience, Warnings, and Purpose

 

The book of Hebrews is often misunderstood and misapplied—used to instill fear in believers or to support the false idea that salvation can be lost if one doesn’t maintain enough fruit, holiness, or faithfulness.

 

⚠️Many denominations—especially in America—preach some form of “final salvation.”
Over the years, I’ve met countless people who didn’t even realize they were trusting in a faith plus something gospel.
Whether it’s faith plus fruit, obedience, baptism, law-keeping, or perseverance, the result is the same:
They weren’t resting in faith alone in the finished work of Christ on the cross. But in another gospel!

‘But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. ‘

Galatians 1:8

 

But when we examine the context carefully, it becomes clear:
Hebrews is not a gospel tract. It’s a powerful exhortation directed specifically to Jewish audiences standing at a spiritual crossroads.

 

🧍‍♂️ Who Was Hebrews Written To?

 

The letter was addressed to two overlapping groups:

 

  1. Jewish believers in Jesus Christ, who were under immense pressure to return to the Mosaic Law, temple worship, and the Levitical priesthood.
  2. Unbelieving Jews who were intellectually persuaded that Jesus might be the Christ but had not placed their faith in Him.

 

The danger wasn’t that these people would lose their salvation by not doing enough. The danger was turning back from the truth altogether—rejecting the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ and returning to a system that could never save.

 

📜 The Central Message: Jesus Is Better

 

The book contrasts the old covenant (which was good and God-ordained) with the new covenant made through Christ’s blood, and makes one resounding point:
What came before was good, but now—after the cross—something far better has come.

 

“But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.”
 —Hebrews 8:6

 

The temple, the priesthood, and the sacrifices were shadows.
Christ is the substance.
To go back is to reject the very One all those things pointed to.

 

⚠️ The Warnings Are Real—But Misunderstood

 

Passages like Hebrews 6:4–6 and Hebrews 10:26–29 are often weaponized to suggest believers can lose salvation. But a closer reading shows these warnings are directed at those who have been exposed to the truth but are resisting full belief.

 

“It is impossible… if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God…”
 —Hebrews 6:6

 

“Of how much worse punishment… will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot… and insulted the Spirit of grace?”
 —Hebrews 10:29

 

These aren’t struggling believers losing salvation—they are those who reject Christ after receiving light, putting themselves under God’s judgment.

 

🧭 Not a Gospel Invitation—A Call to Persevere in Truth

 

Hebrews is not written to explain how to be saved.
It’s written to exhort, warn, and plead:
Don’t turn back. Don’t walk away. Don’t reject Jesus Christ.

 

The letter urges Jewish readers—many of whom had suffered persecution—to stand firm in their faith, not in their works.

 

It points them to the superiority of Jesus, the finality of His sacrifice, and the assurance found only in Him.

 

✝️ In Summary

 

  • Hebrews is addressed to Jews familiar with the Law, the temple, and the sacrificial system.
  • It urges both believers and near-believers not to abandon the truth of Christ.
  • It is not about maintaining salvation—it’s about believing in and standing firm in the one who saves completely.

 

“Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”
 —Hebrews 7:25

 

✅ Final Thought

 

The confusion surrounding Hebrews disappears when you read it in context—as part of God’s progressive revelation, rightly divided.

 

It doesn’t call the believer to strive harder.
It calls the Jewish audience to stop resisting Christ—and to trust fully in His once-for-all sacrifice.

 

 

📖 Post 4: The Danger of Fruit-Based Assurance

📖 Post 4: The Danger of Fruit-Based Assurance

by | Jun 5, 2025 | Not of Works Series | 0 comments

Series: Not of Works – A Series on the Gospel of Grace

Anchor Text: Galatians 3:3 & Romans 4:5

 

We are living in a time where spiritual fruit has become the proof of salvation—not the result of it.

 

If your life doesn’t meet the approved checklist of visible transformation, many say, you were never saved in the first place.

 

“Many denominations—especially in America—preach some form of “final salvation.”
Over the years, I’ve met countless people who didn’t even realize they were trusting in a faith plus something gospel.
Whether it’s faith plus fruit, obedience, baptism, law-keeping, or perseverance, the result is the same:
They weren’t resting in faith alone in the finished work of Christ on the cross but instead it was another gospel.”

 

But Scripture turns that idea upside down.

 

🍇 Fruit Is Not the Root

 

The modern gospel says:

 

“You’re justified by faith, but true faith always produces fruit—and without fruit, you’re not really saved.”

 

Sounds convincing. Sounds holy. Sounds biblical.

 

But it’s not.

 

“But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.”
 —Romans 4:5

 

Paul separates faith and works completely.
He does not say, “You’re justified by faith, which is proven by your behavior.”
He says you’re justified by faith apart from works.

 

⚠️ Why Fruit-Based Assurance Is So Dangerous

 

  1. It shifts your assurance from Christ’s work to your walk.
  2. It causes constant fear, doubt, and introspection.
  3. It leads people to either:
    • Pretend to be something they’re not, or
    • Despair because they’ll never “measure up.”
  4. It adds works to the gospel under the guise of “evidence.”

 

This is not a small error—it’s another gospel.

 

✅ Fruit Comes After Salvation

 

Of course, God desires our lives to be fruitful and holy. But that comes after we’re saved—not to prove it, not to secure it, and certainly not to keep it.

 

“Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?”
 —Galatians 3:3

 

🗝️ Key Takeaway

 

Don’t place your confidence in your fruit.
Place it in Christ alone. The gospel isn’t “faith plus fruit.”
It’s faith in the finished work of Christ—and that alone saves.

 

Explore the Full Series

 

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