Bible

James 2:24

September 20, 2010 // 32 Comments

In this study on James chapter 2, we have been comparing works done under law with works done under grace. Understanding this distinction is essential if we are to reconcile Paul, the preacher of grace, with James, who said this… You see then that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. (Jas [...]

What are the Works of Abraham? (And Why Should We Do Them?)

September 16, 2010 // 34 Comments

If we are saved by faith in Christ alone, why does James insist that our faith must be matched with works? How can you balance the grace of God with the works of man? You can’t! In Part 1 of this study we looked at how James appears to contradict much of what Paul teaches about faith. If you hold James 2 [...]

What About James? (Are We Really Justified by Works?)

September 14, 2010 // 32 Comments

Whenever you preach the 100% pure gospel of God’s grace, someone will inevitably ask, “What about James?” The gospel of grace that Paul preached declares that we are saved by faith alone. But James said that faith is not enough, that we need works as well. Consider the following sound bites from these two [...]

Bill Johnson on the Goodness of God

August 29, 2010 // 13 Comments

One of the most thrilling messages I’ve ever heard was preached just a few nights ago. In the middle of the Manifest Presence conference, Bill Johnson preached on the goodness of God. He started with this scripture: The law and the prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the [...]

Top 20 Bill Johnson Quotes from Manifest Presence 2010

August 27, 2010 // 4 Comments

It’s the morning after Manifest Presence 2010. Bill Johnson preached again last night and it was really something. I have never seen anything like it. I know some of you will be reading this because you want some kind of conference review. I’m not going to give you one because I don’t want to diminish with [...]

How do we pervert the Gospel of Christ?

August 17, 2010 // 64 Comments

If you were on a sinking ship and had a choice of going into the water holding an anchor or a life preserver, which would you choose? Silly question? Yet this is the same choice we make when we choose which gospel to be believe. Choose a gospel? Isn’t there only one? Many so-called gospels are preached, but [...]

Exodus 4:11

August 13, 2010 // 73 Comments

A little while ago we looked at a sincere lady in the Bible who mistakenly believed that God gives us things like death and poverty. As I explained in that post, God does not give us bad gifts. Not ever. But what about Exodus 4:11? This time it’s not a misguided person speaking, but the Lord himself: “Who [...]

“Unmerited Favor” by Joseph Prince

August 9, 2010 // 36 Comments

Have you ever noticed how the wisdom of the world and the old covenant sound much alike? If you do good, you get good. You reap what you sow. What goes around, comes around. Both perspectives advocate self-effort. Both preach self-dependence and reward based on merit. In contrast, the gospel of grace says it’s [...]

Joseph Prince on Prosperity and Success

August 8, 2010 // 149 Comments

What would you think if you turned on your TV and spotted a preacher wearing nice clothes, preaching to thousands of people inside a well-furnished building on the subject of prosperity and success? If you’re like me, you might shake your head at the shameless preaching of the so-called “prosperity gospel” [...]

Does God Give Bad Gifts?

July 26, 2010 // 27 Comments

Does God give us sickness, poverty, and recessions? Should earthquakes, tsunamis and acts of terrorism be interpreted as his divine judgment on a sinful world? Does God kill babies? Are these dumb questions? You might think so except that many sincere Christians believe all these terrible things are from God. In [...]

The Gospel Comes to Laodicea

July 15, 2010 // 10 Comments

UPDATE: This is an old article. An updated and expanded commentary on this passage can be found in Paul’s book Letters from Jesus. Mention the Letter to the Laodiceans to a random Christian and they may respond with, “isn’t that the one where Jesus says we have to be on fire for God or he will vomit us [...]

Nothing but the Blood of Jesus: Five Reasons to Thank Him

July 1, 2010 // 22 Comments

The gospel of grace is underwritten by the most precious commodity in the universe – the blood of Jesus. Some have lost sight of an important truth, possibly the most important truth, which is this: no blood means no salvation. And no redemption, no forgiveness, no sanctification, and no future. Without the [...]