by Jamie Pantastico | Jun 5, 2025 | Not of Works Series |
Series: Not of Works – A Series on the Gospel of Grace
Anchor Text: Romans 5:1
The popular claim today is that justification is just step one—a sort of “legal standing” that must later be confirmed by fruit, holiness, and endurance.
According to this logic, you’re not truly saved yet. You’ve only started the journey. Final salvation, they say, comes later—if your life proves it.
This is nothing more than salvation by works with new labels.
And Paul demolishes it.
✅ Justified by Faith, Saved Completely
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
—Romans 5:1
The moment you believe, you are:
- Justified (declared righteous)
- Reconciled to God
- At peace with Him
- Sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13)
- Complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10)
Justification is not phase one of a two-step process.
It is salvation.
🩸 Justification Means the Debt Is Paid
You are not waiting to be cleared at a future judgment.
“Being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”
—Romans 5:9
Your sin debt was paid in full at the cross.
There is nothing left to prove, earn, or complete.
❌ A “Justified But Not Yet Saved” Gospel Is Another Gospel
Satan is subtle.
If he can’t get people to deny grace outright, he’ll dress up works as part of the process.
This is how people end up believing they are justified by faith—but will only be saved if they live a holy enough life.
That’s not assurance. That’s bondage.
And it’s not what Paul preached.
“But to him who does not work but believes… his faith is counted for righteousness.”
—Romans 4:5
🗝️ Key Takeaway
Justification is not the beginning of salvation.
It is salvation.
You are not waiting for confirmation.
You are not being weighed and measured.
You are complete in Christ the moment you believe the gospel.
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by Jamie Pantastico | Jun 5, 2025 | Not of Works Series |
Series: Not of Works – A Series on the Gospel of Grace
Anchor Text: Galatians 1:6–9
One of the most dangerous distortions in Christendom today is the teaching that justification by faith is only “phase one”—that you’re declared righteous by grace, but you won’t receive final salvation unless you persevere in holiness, love, fruit, and obedience.
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. And that’s what Paul calls another gospel, a false gospel.
It’s a clever lie.
It sounds spiritual.
It sounds serious.
But it’s another gospel—and Paul said anyone who preaches it is accursed.
“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel—
which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
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 1:6–8
❌ What Is “Final Salvation”?
The term doesn’t appear anywhere in Scripture.
It’s a theological invention used to describe an imagined second tier of salvation—a future reward based on works.
Here’s what this false gospel claims:
- You are justified by faith…
- But you are finally saved by a life of holiness, fruit, and obedience.
That’s not salvation. That’s probation.
And it puts the burden of heaven back on the shoulders of man.
✅ Justification Is Salvation
Paul doesn’t separate justification from salvation.
He doesn’t treat it as the start of a process with an uncertain outcome.
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
—Romans 5:1
“But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.”
—Romans 4:5
The moment you believe the gospel—you’re saved.
Sealed. Forgiven. Righteous. Reconciled. Redeemed.
Not on probation. Not waiting for final approval.
🔥 The True Danger of “Final Salvation”
Here’s why this lie is so destructive:
- It places the assurance of salvation on your performance—not Christ’s finished work.
- It causes fear, confusion, and insecurity in the believer’s heart.
- It makes fruit and obedience conditions for salvation, not results of salvation.
- It shifts the glory from Christ to man.
- It’s exactly what the enemy wants: a Christless, cross-less gospel that sounds right but condemns.
And Paul saw it coming:
“Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?”
—Galatians 3:3
🗝️ Key Takeaway
There is no such thing as “final salvation.”
You’re either saved or you’re not.
Salvation is not a reward for good behavior.
It’s a gift—purchased by the shed blood of Christ, received by faith alone.
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by Jamie Pantastico | Jun 5, 2025 | Not of Works Series |
Series: Not of Works – A Series on the Gospel of Grace
Anchor Text: 1 Corinthians 15:1–4
When the Bible warns us about “another gospel” in Galatians 1:6–9, it presupposes that there is one true gospel—and only one.
That gospel was not revealed during Jesus’ earthly ministry.
It was revealed later, by the risen, glorified Christ, directly to the apostle Paul (Galatians 1:11–12).
Paul calls it “my gospel” (Romans 2:16) and “the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).
So what is it?
✅ The Gospel Defined
Paul declares the gospel plainly in 1 Corinthians 15:
“Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand,
by which also you are saved…
that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
and that He was buried,
and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”
—1 Corinthians 15:1–4
But it’s not just that He died—it’s how He died and what His death accomplished.
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”
—Ephesians 1:7
It was the shedding of His blood—the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice—that satisfied God’s justice.
“Without shedding of blood there is no remission.”
—Hebrews 9:22
✝️ The Essential Components
- Christ died for our sins – as a blood sacrifice to pay our sin debt.
- He was buried – proving His death was real and complete.
- He rose again – the proof of our justification (Romans 4:25).
This is the finished work. Nothing more is needed.
Faith in His death, burial and resurrection is all that saves.
‘that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ‘
Romans 10:9
❌ What Paul’s Gospel Is Not
- It is not “believe and behave.”
- It is not “faith plus fruit.”
- It is not “start by grace, finish by effort.”
Those are counterfeit gospels—and Paul says those who preach them are accursed (Galatians 1:8–9).
⚖️ The Gospel You Believe Matters
Paul says in Romans 2:16 that God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ—according to his gospel. Not Peter’s gospel of the kingdom. Not a blended gospel.
Paul’s gospel of grace—centered on the cross, the blood, and the resurrection.
‘in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.’
Romans 2:16
This is the gospel that saves today. The only gospel.
Anything more… or anything less… is another gospel.
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by Jamie Pantastico | Jun 2, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
Being Filled with the Fruits of Righteousness
“Being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”
— Philippians 1:11
The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians opens with one of the most powerful prayers in all of Scripture—a prayer rooted in thankfulness, joy, and the shared bond of the gospel. Paul is writing to a group of believers who were not only united in their love for him, but also standing firm in the gospel of grace. His prayer (Philippians 1:3–11) is rich with affection, confidence, and encouragement.
And verse 11 brings that prayer to its magnificent conclusion.
The Overflow of a Christ-Centered Life
Paul prays that the Philippians would be “filled with the fruits of righteousness.” This isn’t a call to religious activity or moral performance. These fruits are not human accomplishments—they are the visible evidence of a life rooted in Christ and yielded to the Spirit of God.
- “Being filled” implies abundance, completeness, and ongoing growth.
- “Fruits of righteousness” refer to the spiritual character and conduct that flows from a heart transformed by the gospel: humility, love, integrity, faithfulness, patience, purity, and truth.
These are not occasional actions, but the natural byproduct of Christ’s life within the believer.
By Jesus Christ—Not By Ourselves
Paul immediately qualifies the source: these fruits are “by Jesus Christ.” They do not come through self-effort or striving to follow religious rules. Righteousness is not something we produce; it is something we receive and then bear through the indwelling presence of Christ.
- Our righteousness is imputed (credited to us by faith) and then imparted (produced in us by Christ).
- As Jesus said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
- And by Jesus said “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
This is liberating truth! The same Jesus who saved us is the One who now lives in us, empowering us to bear the kind of fruit that pleases God.
To the Glory and Praise of God
The ultimate goal of the Christian life is not self-improvement or recognition. It’s this: “to the glory and praise of God.”
When we walk in love, truth, and righteousness—not in our strength, but in His—we become living testimonies of God’s power, grace, and faithfulness.
- Others see Christ in us.
- God is glorified.
- And the world gets a glimpse of the One who transforms lives by grace.
This is what Paul longed for in the Philippians—and it’s what God desires for every believer today.
A Word of Encouragement
If you’re in Christ, you have everything you need to live a life that bears righteous fruit. It’s not about trying harder. It’s about abiding deeper—resting in Christ, renewing your mind in His Word, and yielding daily to His Spirit.
Let your life be filled with the fruits of righteousness—not for your name, but for His glory.
by Jamie Pantastico | Jun 1, 2025 | Israel |
Unbreakable: God’s Promises to Israel and the Coming Kingdom
For your encouragement and edification
‘“God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?’
Numbers 23:19
God’s Covenants Are Unbreakable
At the heart of God’s relationship with Israel is the word “covenant.” It is one of the most powerful and binding terms in all of Scripture. A covenant is a divinely initiated agreement between God and man, in which God makes promises that are often accompanied by specific obligations. These are not mere contracts—they are sacred, binding commitments rooted in the character and faithfulness of God.
The Lord made six covenants with the nation of Israel:
- The Abrahamic Covenant – the foundational promise of a nation, land, and blessing to all nations (Genesis 12, 15, 17).
- The Mosaic Covenant – the giving of the Law at Sinai, conditional on obedience (Exodus 19–24).
- The Sabbatic Covenant – God’s promise of rest and blessing through observance of the Sabbath cycle, both weekly and in the land (Exodus 31:12–17; Leviticus 25–26).
- The Palestinian (Land) Covenant – a reaffirmation of the land promise, with blessings for obedience and consequences for disobedience, but ultimate restoration guaranteed (Deuteronomy 29–30).
- The Davidic Covenant – the eternal promise of a king from David’s line to rule over Israel (2 Samuel 7).
- The New Covenant – a promise of spiritual renewal, forgiveness, and God’s Spirit written on the hearts of Israel (Jeremiah 31:31–37; Ezekiel 36).
Why This Matters
For centuries, many have claimed that the Church has replaced Israel, and that these promises were either conditional or forfeited. But Scripture tells a different story. God is not finished with Israel. His covenants—some conditional, others unconditional—are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). What He began with Abraham, He will fulfill through Christ.
This series will walk through each of these six covenants, showing from Scripture how they unfold, where they stand today, and how they point to the future literal Kingdom of God on earth. We will also examine how the prophets, Jesus, Paul, and the book of Revelation all confirm that God’s promises to Israel remain intact—and unfulfilled in their fullness—awaiting a future glorious fulfillment.
