Articles by Paul Ellis

How To Tell if Your Commentary is Grace Based?

April 18, 2024 // 3 Comments

Do you know how to stay free? We stay free by testing everything. We test the spirits to see whether they are from God (1 John 4:1). We test teachings to see if they align with scripture (see Acts 17:11). And we test our Bible commentaries to see if they fully proclaim the gospel of Christ. I have fully preached [...]

What If I Deny the Lord?

April 11, 2024 // 7 Comments

List all the verses that scare people and this one would be near the top: “If we deny him, he will deny us” (2 Tim. 2:12). Having been raised on a diet of Chick Tracts, I used to worry that I might lack the courage to maintain my faith in the face of persecution. As an occasional Bible smuggler, I [...]

The Two Books Your Pastor Reads

March 14, 2024 // 16 Comments

My dad was a pastor and when he died young I inherited all his books, Bibles and commentaries. When I became a pastor, I bought more Bibles and commentaries. I have quite the library. Your pastor might not have a lot of books, but I can almost guarantee that there are two books he reads regularly; his favorite [...]

Keywords of Grace and Law

March 7, 2024 // 16 Comments

Every Bible teaching, sermon or message you have ever heard has been one of three kinds: law-based, grace-based, or a mixture of grace and law. A law-based interpretation puts the emphasis on you and your works, while a grace-based interpretation puts the emphasis on Christ and his work. Law- and grace-based [...]

The Old vs the New Covenant

February 22, 2024 // 12 Comments

Are you familiar with Biblical covenants? Reading the Bible without understanding covenant is like going to a medicine cabinet when you are ill and swallowing whatever pills you find. You might get better, or you might get sick and die. All medicine is good, but not all medicine is good for you. In the Bible [...]

What is the New Covenant?

February 15, 2024 // 5 Comments

Imagine going through 12 years of school and never being taught how to read or write. Your teachers taught you maths, music and physical education, but they neglected to teach you the basics of reading and writing. That would be a serious oversight. You would leave school illiterate and ill-equipped for life. You [...]

Why Do I Still Sin If I Am Saved?

February 8, 2024 // 16 Comments

Saint, you don’t have a sinful nature. The old sinner you used to be has been crucified with Christ. One with the Lord you have his heart, his desires, his spiritual DNA, his mind, and his holy nature. “So why do I still sin?” This is a great question. So are these: “If I’m 100% holy in Christ, how come [...]

The Dangers of Taking Bible Verses out of Context

January 18, 2024 // 15 Comments

Two men go to see the doctor. The first is suffering from advanced cancer and needs immediate treatment. The second is completely healthy and is going for a routine check-up. The doctor is a perfect physician who prescribes the appropriate treatment in each case. However, the pharmacist bungles the prescriptions [...]

Why Read the Seven Letters to the Churches?

January 11, 2024 // 3 Comments

Did you know that Jesus sent letters from heaven? I suspect 90% of people do not know, and many of those who do know dismiss them as irrelevant. “The seven letters to the Revelation churches are not for me.” That’s not true. The letters from Jesus were sent to the first-century churches of Asia, but they [...]

Two Lists

December 21, 2023 // 20 Comments

I want to show you a list of 7 names. Count how many you recognize: Leonardo da Vinci Johann Sebastian Bach Ludwig van Beethoven Johannes Brahms Rembrandt George Gershwin Jackson Pollock I’m guessing you may be familiar with most of the names on that list. Maybe you recognized 6 or 7 names. Now I want to show [...]

King Herod and the Christmas Giveaway

December 14, 2023 // 2 Comments

Update: This Giveaway has ended. Subscribe to E2R to be notified of future giveaways. Looking for something fun and Biblical and Christmassy to do with your friends and family? As a special treat for E2R readers, I’m giving away free copies of my script “Herod and the Gift.” What is it? “Herod and the [...]

The Real Seven Deadly Sins

December 7, 2023 // 8 Comments

Every year on my birthday, my wife makes a delicious gumbo. It’s so yummy I usually have a second helping. And by second, I mean third or fourth. It’s that good! But according to some theologians, I am sinning when I eat my wife’s gumbo. Why? Because gluttony, which is defined by some as “eating too [...]

Why Does the Virgin Birth Matter?

November 30, 2023 // 21 Comments

One of the questions asked at Christmas is, “Was Jesus really born of a virgin?” Is this an important question? Some say no. They say they do not need to believe that Jesus was born of a virgin to believe that he is the Savior. But the virgin birth matters a great deal, for at least three reasons. First, the [...]

Watch Out for the Holiness Preachers

November 16, 2023 // 10 Comments

As a teenager, I didn’t need anybody to tell me what to do. As an adult, I wish somebody would. Life is big and confusing. It’s full of anxiety, uncertainty, and questions that have no answers. And this is why some people prefer law to grace. They’d rather live under the old covenant than the new. Back [...]

What is the Whole Counsel of God?

November 2, 2023 // 23 Comments

Tell people the good news of God’s unconditional love, and I can guarantee that some will chide you for not preaching the whole counsel of God. Tell people about the goodness of God, and some concerned person will say: “You’ve got to preach the whole counsel of God, brother.” What they mean is, “You [...]

What Does it Mean to be Alienated from God?

October 25, 2023 // 4 Comments

Perhaps you know the story of Lieutenant Hiroo Onoda of the Imperial Japanese Army. When WW2 ended, it was a time of great joy and celebration. Prisoners were set free, and millions of soldiers went home to their families. But not Lt. Onoda. The dutiful Onoda did not believe broadcasts announcing the end of the [...]

You are not a Doorkeeper in the House of God

October 19, 2023 // 10 Comments

“I am a bondservant of the Lord.” So said Paul and every other New Testament epistle writer. Works-preachers ever since have been saying that we are God’s servants who serve so get busy serving. And the result is a flesh-powered, fatigued and fruitless church. You are not God’s servant. You are his [...]

Will I Lose My Salvation if I Keep Sinning?

October 12, 2023 // 22 Comments

I’m just gonna say it: it is not God’s will for you to live in sin. “Wait, Paul. I thought you were a grace preacher. Aren’t you supposed to accept people just as they are? Aren’t you supposed to be inclusive and forgiving like Jesus?” Look, I get it. Grace attracts sinners. Why do you think tax [...]

An Early Look at Paul’s Next Book

October 5, 2023 // 7 Comments

My next book is a labor of love. I have been working on it for seven years and it’s time to let you know. It’s about a subject near and dear to my heart – the parables of Jesus. The parables of Jesus are the world’s most popular stories. Millions of people know them. Each week, the parables are taught [...]

Why We Are Not a Red-Letter Church

September 28, 2023 // 20 Comments

“What kind of church are you?” I wasn’t sure how to answer the question. The lady who had rung my office was thinking of attending one of our Sunday services, but she wanted to know more about us. Were we evangelical, charismatic, Baptist, Lutheran or what? It was a tricky question because we were all of [...]

Are All Sins Forgiven – Past, Present and Future?

September 21, 2023 // 15 Comments

Are all your sins forgiven, past, present and future? This is one of those questions that sounds hard but is easy to answer, provided you have the right definition. What does forgive mean? Biblical forgiveness To forgive means to send away or dismiss. It means you are no longer holding onto an offense or a hurt. [...]

Tough Love for Drunks and Sinners

September 14, 2023 // 15 Comments

The late Brennan Manning once told a story about a new patient admitted to an alcoholic rehabilitation clinic. The patient, Max, appeared to be a healthy and respectable citizen. When grilled by the counselor over his drinking habits, Max described his behavior in a way that indicated he had no problem with [...]

What is the Law of Liberty?

September 7, 2023 // 10 Comments

There are several types of law in the Bible, and if you don’t know which is which, you could get confused. Or worse. Follow the wrong sort of law and you could fall from grace and cut yourself off from Christ. The laws in scripture There’s the Law of Moses and the Law of Christ. There’s the law written on [...]

How to Rightly Divide the Word of Truth

August 31, 2023 // 20 Comments

Ever read something in the Bible that seemed to contradict something else in the Bible? I used to be confused about those apparent contradictions, but now I love them. I know that if I dig a little, I will likely uncover a gem. The entire Bible is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in [...]

Spiritual Gifts – An Incomplete List

August 24, 2023 // 0 Comments

Do you know your spiritual gifts? Every believer has spiritual gifts (see 1 Pet. 4:10), but not every believer has put their gifts to work. Have you? Spiritual gifts are special abilities God gives us that enable us to experience his divine life and reveal his heart to others. Everything God gives us – [...]

Faith Without Works Is Dead

August 17, 2023 // 30 Comments

There is perhaps no more controversial scripture in the Bible than this gem from James: What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? (James 2:14) Since this seems to contradict what Paul says – “We’re not justified by works, but faith alone” (Gal. [...]

10 Things that Distract you from Christ

August 10, 2023 // 13 Comments

The best lies are the ones that have a little truth mixed in. They sound convincing, they make sense, but like medicine mixed with poison, they can be deadly. This is why you need a clear and undistorted view of the gospel. Not a vague idea, but a solid one, lest you end up like these poor fellows: I am amazed [...]

How to Get Wisdom from God?

August 3, 2023 // 10 Comments

Wisdom is the ability to make good decisions and sound judgments. Wisdom is knowing how to walk in the favor and will of God. We all need wisdom, especially when we come to the crossroads of life. “Which way should I go?” “Should I take this job?” “Is s/he the one for me?” Wisdom protects us from [...]

A Grace Commentary for Every Believer

July 26, 2023 // 3 Comments

The Grace Commentary in your pocket
Imagine a world where every believer knows how to read scripture through a new covenant lens. Imagine they have a study guide that is simple, beautiful and free from mixture. Something like this: The Grace Commentary is a study guide that will help you grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Our goal is [...]

3 Reasons Why You Need the Grace Commentary

July 20, 2023 // 4 Comments

A new generation is rising – men and women who eat, drink and breathe undiluted grace. They are done with dead works and mixture. For them, it’s grace or nothing. If this describes you, here are three reasons why the Grace Commentary is the study tool you’ve been waiting for. 1. It’s 100% grace The Grace [...]

What Does it Mean to be Righteous?

July 13, 2023 // 12 Comments

When I was a kid, my favorite moment in the school year was the minute the last exam finished. “Time’s up, pens down. Please remain seated until your paper is collected.” Can you remember the sweetness of that moment? All the work and the study were behind you; all the tests had been done. Into your mind [...]

What does it Mean to Abide in the Vine?

July 6, 2023 // 14 Comments

Abiding in the vine is the antidote to independence, and the remedy to barrenness. Every believer knows these words of Jesus. “Abide in me, and I in you” (John 15:4). But what did he mean and how do we do it? Jesus gives us this word-picture: I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in me and I in [...]

Who Are the Grace Preachers?

June 29, 2023 // 17 Comments

A map of grace churches
Can you recommend a grace-based church in my area? I get asked this question a lot. What people want to know is, where are the grace preachers? Or who are the grace preachers? As if there was a special directory of those preaching grace. Who are the hypergrace preachers? I usually recommend Paul, John, Peter, [...]

Special Fathers’ Day Giveaway

June 15, 2023 // 2 Comments

Update: This giveaway has ended. Don’t miss out on future freebies. Sign up today and be the first to know. Hi friends, This Sunday is Fathers’ Day in many countries. If you are looking for something special to do with your family why not try a table reading of my script “The Good Father”? What? [...]

Are You Wearing the Full Armor of God?

June 8, 2023 // 18 Comments

One thing pastors like to do is dress up as Roman soldiers and preach on the armor of God. “You need to wear the full armor of God,” they say as they bash their gladii (swords) against their scuta (shields). It’s a lot of fun. But does it work? Apart from the memory of Pastor Frank’s paunch poking out [...]

Law + Works + Grace = ?

June 1, 2023 // 21 Comments

The stories we tell ourselves shape our lives. For example, if you buy into a narrative that says, “The Bible is a book of rules we must obey,” you will find laws to obey on every page. If you believe, “The Bible teaches us to work for God’s favor,” you will find long lists of things to do. But read the [...]

The Study Bible You’ve Been Waiting For

May 24, 2023 // 0 Comments

The Grace Bible - James
Do you know how to use a Bible commentary? A commentary is a kind of explainer. It tells you what the scriptures mean. Or to be precise, it tells you what the commentator thinks they mean. Which means if your commentary was written by someone with an old covenant mindset, you’ll get an old covenant [...]

What’s With the Head Coverings?

May 4, 2023 // 24 Comments

Woman wearing scarf
When I wrote my book about women in the church, my aim was to examine every verse that has been hijacked to oppress and silence women. I wanted to show that contrary to what many of us have heard, woman are in no way inferior to men. In the new covenant of grace, women can preach, teach, and lead, and do anything [...]

“You Shall Surely Die”

April 26, 2023 // 45 Comments

Once upon a time you were spiritually dead. Then you met Jesus and now you are spiritually alive. Or so the story goes. Like many religious phrases the idea that we were spiritually dead makes sense until you start asking questions like “what is spiritual death?” and “why isn’t spiritual death mentioned [...]

Is it God’s Will for You to Suffer (1 Peter 4:19)

April 13, 2023 // 14 Comments

“Paul, why are you writing a Bible commentary? There are so many.” It’s true. There are many Bible commentaries out there. But as far as I know, there are no grace-based commentaries. Instead, there are commentaries that mix grace with works leaving you confused, anxious, and uncertain. Let me give you an [...]

Do we need a New Covenant Study Bible?

April 5, 2023 // 9 Comments

The Bible contains the most beautiful, life-giving words. Yet many don’t see them because they’re reading scripture through the wrong lens. Consider the following verse: If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your [...]

How to Test the Spirits

March 30, 2023 // 11 Comments

Spirit, soul, and body – do you know the difference? Your spirit is that inner part of you that connects you to the spiritual world; your body or flesh is that external part of you that connects you to the physical world; and your soul is that part of you that chooses whether you are going to walk after the [...]

How to Walk in the Spirit

March 23, 2023 // 14 Comments

You were designed to be spiritual. You were created to walk in the spirit. Yet many people walk after the flesh. They make judgments based on what they hear, see, and understand, rather than listening to what their spirit is sensing the Lord is saying. To be led by the Spirit is to live with our eyes fixed on the [...]

What Does it Mean to be Spiritual?

March 16, 2023 // 10 Comments

What comes to mind when you think of the word spiritual? In scripture, we are exhorted to desire spiritual gifts, sing spiritual songs, and pray spiritual prayers. We are to walk in the spirit and live a spiritual life. Sounds good. But what does it mean? Here’s what spiritual does NOT mean: Spiritual does not [...]

Duck Church

March 9, 2023 // 4 Comments

Kirkegaard_Duck_Church
Søren Kierkegaard, the Danish existentialist, used to tell a story about Duck Church. It goes something like this: Once upon a time there was a town of ducks. On Sunday morning all the ducks came waddling out of their houses and waddling into church where they squatted in their pews. After they sang their duck [...]

Six Reasons Why Original Sin Cannot be True

March 2, 2023 // 74 Comments

Original sin says we were born bad to the bone. From the moment we drew our first breath, we were inclined towards sin, utterly depraved, and hostile towards God. Since beginning this series, I’ve received messages from readers who defend original sin by quoting Romans 3, 5, and other scriptures that say we are [...]

Are your Children Natural Born Sinners?

February 16, 2023 // 22 Comments

A few years ago, the Babylon Bee published a satirical article entitled “Woman Finally Accepts Doctrine of Total Depravity Now That Daughter Is Two.” The article was about a young mother who became convinced about the doctrine of total depravity after her child became a toddler: “I had the hardest time [...]

E2R Turns 13 and It’s Time for a Change

February 2, 2023 // 40 Comments

I used to write about grace and nothing but grace. When I started writing Escape to Reality 13 years ago, I wrote about forgiveness and the unconditional love of God and how the cross changed everything. I wrote about eternal security and eternal rewards, healing and holiness, repentance and righteousness. But [...]

Can you Trust ChatGPT to Teach You about Grace?

January 27, 2023 // 20 Comments

ChatGPT, an A.I.-based chatbot that was released in November 2022, may be the biggest technological breakthrough to affect the church since the invention of the printing press. What does it do? It answers questions and writes essays. It also writes sermons, lessons, prayers, lyrics, dissertations, movie scenes, [...]

30 Ways Your Flesh Reacts to Trouble

January 20, 2023 // 17 Comments

You arrive at a moment of crisis. Perhaps you are in your boss’s office or the medical clinic. You’re fighting with your spouse or you’ve heard bad news. The heat is on and the pressure’s rising. What do you do? The smart thing to do is take five, lean into God, and see what he says. Let him guide you [...]

What Happens to Unbaptized Infants Who Die?

January 5, 2023 // 35 Comments

If the doctrine of original sin is true, and everyone is born with a sinful nature and a rebel towards God, what happens to babies who die? Do babies go to hell? Do they go to heaven? Do they go someplace in between? Augustine of Hippo said babies go to hell for eternal punishment, but added that they get a mild [...]

Feeling knocked down this Christmas?

December 21, 2022 // 13 Comments

What will be your highlight of 2022? I’ve got a bunch, but one that tops the list happened in September. It ranks right up there with Lazarus rising from the dead. Almost. We had received the sad news that a family friend had suffered a crippling stroke and was in a bad way. It was a real shock because [...]

What Does it Mean to Keep His Commandments?

December 8, 2022 // 14 Comments

Jesus smiling
Here’s a verse that can trip you up: For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. (1 John 5:3a) What commandments is John talking about? If you have not learned to read scripture through a new covenant lens, you might think he’s talking about the Ten Commandments or the Law of Moses. If so, [...]

Out today The Grace Bible: 1–3 John & Jude

November 30, 2022 // 10 Comments

If you have ever wondered, How do I read this scripture through a new covenant lens? The Grace Bible is for you. In The Grace Bible every verse is explained from the perspective of grace. While other study Bibles can leave you feeling like you’re not doing enough for the Lord, The Grace Bible reveals how much [...]

Patriarchy is not God’s Plan for Your Marriage

November 17, 2022 // 20 Comments

A man with a crown
God intended for marriage to be between one man and one woman, but the fall of man opened the door to two evils; polygyny and patriarchy. Polygyny replaces partnership Adam’s offspring took multiple wives, a practice known as polygyny. (Polygyny is a kind of polygamy. The other kind—having multiple [...]

Has Original Sin Made you a Bad Parent?

November 10, 2022 // 11 Comments

One of the strangest things I had to get used to as a young father, was my children freely admitting to their sins. Adam and Eve hid when they sinned, but my kids bragged about it. One time I discovered crayon drawings all along the hallway wall. “Who drew on this wall?” I asked. “I did!” replied the [...]

The True Meaning of Holiness

November 3, 2022 // 16 Comments

When I was a teenager, I was involved in a band with some church friends. There were four of us in the band and I played the keyboard. One day, I got in an argument with the guitarist. It was an argument that Christian musicians have been having for centuries. My friend: “We’re a Christian band. We should [...]

How to Have a Perfectly Good Conscience

October 19, 2022 // 9 Comments

A kid eating cake
Many people struggle with guilt on a daily basis. They feel guilty for not spending more time with their kids and for not calling their parents. They feel guilty for working too hard, not working hard enough, and not working at all. They feel guilty for getting up too late, giving into cravings, taking meds, not [...]

Do Christians have a Sinful Nature?

October 6, 2022 // 43 Comments

Ever heard the one about how you have two natures wrestling inside you and the one that dominates is the one you feed the most? It’s not true. Christian, you do not have a sinful nature. One with the Lord, you have a new heart and a new mind with new desires (1 Cor. 2:16). As a new creation, you get to share in [...]

What is the True Significance of the Virgin Birth?

September 29, 2022 // 16 Comments

One of the central tenets of the Christian faith is the miracle of the virgin birth. Jesus had no earthly father but was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born from the Virgin Mary (Matt. 1:23, Luke 1:30–35). What is the significance of the virgin birth? The traditional explanation is that a virgin birth meant [...]

The Gospel in Ten Words – Tenth Anniversary

September 15, 2022 // 23 Comments

Ten years ago this week, my book The Gospel in Ten Words was released. To mark the anniversary, I thought I’d answer a few questions nobody ever asked, such as… Why did you write The Gospel in Ten Words? I blame readers. When I began writing Escape to Reality, readers would ask me, “When are you going to [...]

Is a Silent Wife a Gift from the Lord?

September 8, 2022 // 11 Comments

Recently in New Zealand, there was a job advertisement calling for a couple to manage a holiday camp. According to the ad, the ideal wife would have knowledge of Microsoft Office, know how to work the telephone, and be “of a quiet disposition.” The implication was that vocal or outspoken wives would not be [...]

How to Get Paul’s New Book Before It Goes on Sale

September 2, 2022 // 1 Comment

“You’re being selective with scripture.” Ever heard that one? Tell people about the unconditional love of God and you’ll hear things like: “You’re cherry-picking verses. You’re forgetting (insert tough scripture here).” There is a perception that we who love grace ignore inconvenient scriptures. [...]

Judged for Our Work and Living in Fear

August 25, 2022 // 22 Comments

A reader asked me how to read the following verse through a new covenant lens: If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth. (1 Peter 1:17) Hmm, sounds scary. Didn’t Jesus say something about having to [...]

New Testament Scriptures Used to Support Original Sin

August 18, 2022 // 31 Comments

Augustine’s doctrine of original sin says you were born bad to the bone and hostile to God. You inherited Adam’s rebellious and sinful nature and your kids are going to hell. Contrary to what you may have heard, original sin is not Biblical. This manmade teaching comes straight out of Judaism and was [...]

Old Testament Scriptures Used to Support Original Sin

August 16, 2022 // 23 Comments

Since publishing my article refuting the doctrine of original sin, several readers have asked “What about this scripture?” Some people seem to think Augustine’s doctrine of original sin is biblical. It isn’t. Original sin is an old Jewish teaching wrapped up in Christian jargon. Augustine taught it, not [...]

The Religious Origins of Original Sin

August 11, 2022 // 52 Comments

For 2000 years Augustine’s doctrine of original sin has taught that you were a natural born sinner, stained with Adam’s sin. From the moment you drew your first breath, you were hostile to the things of God and hardwired to sin. My strong view is that this teaching about original sin is unbiblical and [...]

Original Sin is Unbiblical

August 3, 2022 // 243 Comments

The doctrine of original sin is one of the most damaging lies ever inflicted on the human race. Developed by Tertullian and popularized by Augustine, original sin says we all inherited Adam’s fallen nature. There is no question that sinners have a sinful nature and that we all need to be saved from sin, but [...]

Why Does Jesus Hate Divorce?

July 21, 2022 // 17 Comments

In the modern church we think we treat women well. We tell ourselves that we are enlightened, educated and respectful. But in the very next breath we tell women they can’t preach or teach and it would best if they remain silent in our services. What’s wrong with that picture?! God made Eve a queen, yet we [...]

What to do When You’re Facing Death

July 7, 2022 // 9 Comments

If you are facing a sentence of death – a bad report, a scary diagnosis, the loss of a business – you would do well to read Christ’s letter to the church at Smyrna. It’s the shortest of the seven Revelation letters, yet death is mentioned three times in four verses. (Bonus fact: the name [...]

Introducing The Grace Bible

June 28, 2022 // 11 Comments

For years, people have been asking me, “Paul, what’s your favorite Bible?” That’s a tough question, like asking me to pick my favorite child. What people really want to know is, “Which Bible is free from mixture and will help me grow in grace?” There hasn’t been a good answer to that question… [...]

How Do We Keep the Word of His Perserverance?

June 21, 2022 // 7 Comments

You know that warning about not adding words to the Bible? I think of it whenever I read passages like this: You have kept my command to endure patiently… (Revelation 3:10a) That’s from the NIV translation and it conveys the idea that you have been commanded to endure life’s struggles with fortitute [...]

Who has Authority in a Marriage?

June 9, 2022 // 5 Comments

Couple reading a map
Who has the authority in a marriage, the husband or the wife? For much of human history, the men were in charge, and their wives were considered little more than property. Strangely, Paul seems to support this archaic arrangement when he tells the Corinthians: The wife does not have authority over her own body, [...]

Two Lies About Sin

June 2, 2022 // 9 Comments

The worst disease to ever afflict the human race is not Covid or cancer, but sin. Sin is not merely breaking the rules or acting immorally. Sin is much more serious than that. God offers us his divine life but we fall short. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). The gap between [...]

Doers of the Law Will be Justified?

May 19, 2022 // 16 Comments

Was the Apostle Paul confused when he wrote Romans 2:13? Because this verse doesn’t seem to belong in the Bible: For it is not the hearers of the law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. (Romans 2:13) Doers of the law will be justified?! Was Paul having a senior moment? Did he [...]

What is the Sin Leading to Death?

May 12, 2022 // 16 Comments

There are different types of sin, and some more serious than others. Apparently we should pray for those who do the lighter sins, but not waste time praying for those who do the bad ones. Ever heard that? It comes from this verse: If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and [...]

What Does it Mean to Fall from Grace?

May 5, 2022 // 12 Comments

“Did you hear about that celebrity pastor and his secretary? What a fall from grace!” The fall-from-grace phrase is sometimes used to describe famous people who have fallen into sin, but that is not what fall from grace means in the Bible. When you sin you don’t fall from grace but into grace. It’s [...]

What is the Biblical Definition of Sin?

April 29, 2022 // 62 Comments

What is sin?
What is sin? Some define sin as transgression of God’s law. “We need to keep the law because ‘sin is lawlessness’” (see 1 John 3:4). Okay, but which law? “We have to keep all of the commands.” Including the ones about not wearing poly-blend clothing or eating bacon? “Well, not those ones. But at [...]

What is the Modern Grace Message?

April 13, 2022 // 13 Comments

A man once asked me a question: “I want to show my friends that the gospel of grace is not the latest fad. Can you direct me to some early church teachings on grace?” I replied, “How about the New Testament? Much of what I know about grace comes straight from the life of Jesus and the teachings of the [...]

Last chance to get “The Happy, Wondrous, Divine Exchange”

April 9, 2022 // 0 Comments

Just a gentle reminder that you have about 24 hours to take advantage of our special offer. “What special offer?” Sign up as a patron by Saturday and you will receive my latest ebook, The Happy, Wondrous, Divine Exchange. My book tells the story of the world’s most popular sermon, as told by everyone from [...]

The World’s Most Popular Sermon

April 6, 2022 // 10 Comments

Many years ago I heard a sermon that radically changed my understanding of the cross. The sermon was recorded on a cassette tape in 1987, and it is no exaggeration to say that this was one of the most influential sermons in my journey to grace. And it is this year’s Classic Sermon! Every couple of years or so I [...]

Is God’s Love Unconditional?

March 31, 2022 // 25 Comments

“Is God’s love really unconditional? The phrase unconditional love is not even in the Bible!” Ever heard that one? How about this one: “God’s love is unconditional, but…” Statements like these make me shake my head in wonder. What do you think the word love means? Is God’s love unconditional? It [...]

What is the Hour of Testing Coming on the Whole World?

March 24, 2022 // 13 Comments

Once again, the world seems on the brink of destruction. Pandemics, terrorism, nuclear threats. Could this be the end? It probably isn’t, but it is an excellent time to discuss “the hour of testing” that Jesus mentioned in his letter to the church in Philadelphia: Because you have kept the word of My [...]

What does the Bible Say About the Flesh?

March 17, 2022 // 32 Comments

The flesh is one of the most confusing words in the Bible. What does it mean? And is the flesh good or bad? Why did Paul say he was alive in the flesh but then say he had crucified the flesh? Why does he say the body of the flesh has been circumcised (so it’s gone, right), then say he served sin with his flesh [...]

Are Women Weaker Vessels?

March 9, 2022 // 11 Comments

Running through the tapestry of human history is a sexist thread that says women are weaker and inferior to men. They are second-born and second-best. This is what the philosophers and rabbis taught, as did the Church Fathers and theologians. John Chrysostom said the women in the Bible were occasionally [...]

Did Paul Preach a Different Gospel?

March 3, 2022 // 10 Comments

Read the New Testament and you might come away with the idea that there is more than one gospel. The very first words of the New Testament in the King James Bible are, “The Gospel According to Matthew.” Read on and you will also find the gospels according to Mark, Luke, and John. In the Gospels of Matthew and [...]

All Your Questions Answered

March 1, 2022 // 3 Comments

Do you have questions about God, the Bible, the church, money, parenting, sin, and life in general? Over the past few weeks I have revamped E2R’s questions page. More than 400 questions are now organized by topic to make it easier for you to find the answers you are looking for. Check it out: [...]

What is a Biblical Definition of Faith?

February 24, 2022 // 36 Comments

A son holding his father's hand
What is faith? We talk about faith all the time, but what is it? Do you know what faith is? Of course you do, right? Are you sure? Maybe a better question to ask is, “Do I have a Biblical definition of faith?” Contrary to what you may have heard, faith is not wishful thinking or some sort of spiritual [...]

Are Women Saved through Childbearing?

February 22, 2022 // 7 Comments

One of the strangest verses in the Bible is found in Paul’s first letter to Timothy: But women will be saved through childbearing – if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety. (1 Timothy 2:15) If there was ever a verse that could be misused to promote patriarchy and dead works, it’s this [...]

What is the Gospel of Grace?

February 17, 2022 // 31 Comments

There are few things in life more important than life itself. You might give your life for a child or a loved one. Maybe you would give your life for your country. The Apostle Paul gave his life for the gospel of grace. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my [...]

Paul’s Review of The Passion Translation

February 9, 2022 // 46 Comments

Review of the Passion Translation
Several years ago, readers started telling me about this new Bible called the Passion Translation. “It’s fresh. It’s brilliant. Check it out.” The buzz reminded me of the excitement we felt when the Message Bible was published in the 1990s. So I went to Amazon and bought this new Bible. Only I got the [...]

E2R’s 12th Birthday and our Biggest Giveaway Ever!

February 5, 2022 // 7 Comments

Man with gifts
UPDATE: This giveaway is now finished. Sign up to be notified of future giveaways: Type your email… Subscribe Today is Escape to Reality’s 12th anniversary. To celebrate we’re having our BIGGEST GIVEAWAY ever! For the next two days you can get one, two, or seven of my books for a special pandemic [...]

What is the Law in the Bible?

February 2, 2022 // 15 Comments

What is the law in the Bible
Pop question: When Jesus said, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are gods’?” what law was he referring to? Was he referring to the Law of Moses or some other law? If you answered the Law of Moses, you are mistaken. Go to the back of the class, and see me after school. Jesus was not quoting [...]

What is the Law of Christ?

January 27, 2022 // 20 Comments

The Law of Christ Galatians 6:2
There are many laws in the Bible. There is the Law of Moses and the Law of God. There is the law of sin and the law of faith. There is the law of righteousness and the law of liberty. But what is the law of Christ? If you don’t know the law of Christ – and many people don’t – you’ll be susceptible to [...]

What is the Royal Law?

January 24, 2022 // 6 Comments

The royal law of James 2v8
What is the royal law? Do you need to keep it and what happens if you don’t? If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. (James 2:8) What is the royal law? It is the commandment to love others as you love yourself. It sounds [...]

What is the Difference Between Mercy and Grace?

January 20, 2022 // 17 Comments

A helping hand
What is mercy and how does it relate to grace? Is mercy the same as grace, or is it something different? Some people miss grace because they think it grace = mercy. They don’t understand the difference. “I need mercy. “Thank you, Lord, for your mercy. “Now that I have mercy, I’m satisfied.” And [...]

What Does 1 Peter 3:7 Mean?

January 16, 2022 // 8 Comments

Loveless marriage
A man recently asked me about a troubling verse. “My wife says my prayers are hindered because I don’t respect her enough.” He was referring to this verse: Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the [...]

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