“The church needs revival!” It’s a message Christians often hear preached, and the underlying theme is there’s something wrong with the body of Christ. The church isn’t doing enough to please God. Maybe you’ve even heard the church today is “falling asleep” or “dead.” They say the church needs to plead for mercy and show more commitment. This sort of talking down to believers conveys a message of rejection. I don’t think it’s healthy, and I don’t think it reflects how God views the church at all...
Oct 05, 2023•12 min•Ep. 155
Is it OK for divorced Christians to get remarried if their former spouse is still alive? A listener called recently for clarification after his friends said he’d be committing adultery if he were to remarry while his ex-wife is still living. This type of Scripture twisting around divorce and remarriage is damaging, unhealthy, and rooted in a misunderstanding of New Testament instructions. It leaves people feeling controlled by a former spouse instead of free to remarry with a clean slate. In thi...
Sep 28, 2023•15 min•Ep. 154
Throughout the New Testament, the Gospel is clearly announced. It declares that we are saved by faith and not by works. But did you know that James 2 seemingly contradicts this? That’s right. Three times in a row, the apostle James writes the phrase “justified by works”: “Was not Abraham our father justified by works…?” (v 21) “Was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works…?” (v 25) “You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone” (v 24) I’ve literally seen some people sweep ...
Sep 21, 2023•10 min•Ep. 153
The concept of “dying to self” is a widely embraced belief in Christianity, suggesting an internal struggle between good and evil within believers. This teaching emphasizes the importance of eliminating the “negative” part of you that otherwise needs to be overcome daily. However, it’s worth noting that the phrase “die to self” does not actually appear in the Bible. The closest resemblance can be found in Jesus’ words, urging followers to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. Nev...
Sep 14, 2023•11 min•Ep. 152
When you go through seasons where God feels distant, you might think it’s because you did something wrong. A recent caller struggled with not sensing the Spirit and feared it was because she had backslid and wavered in her faith. She asked if doubting was apostasy and if she had lost her salvation. The good news for believers is the Spirit lives in you no matter what you feel. Your rightness with God isn’t based on the strength of your faith, how much time you spend in the Word, or whether you s...
Sep 07, 2023•11 min•Ep. 151
A popular religious teaching claims that if you have enough faith and believe hard enough, you’ll experience physical healing. It’s based on a belief that God’s will is for everyone to be healed. This teaching left a recent caller feeling at fault for not trusting God enough with her cancer diagnosis. Thankfully, she sensed something was off in her pastor’s guilt-inducing message. Whether it’s “name it and claim it,” trust more, or activate more faith, it’s a dead-end formula for healing, and it...
Aug 31, 2023•16 min•Ep. 150
Believers are saved by grace, but we’re also taught that pleasing God means walking in obedience. This might leave us wondering how to balance grace and obedience, or as a recent caller asked, where’s the “fine line” between the two? I loved this call, because it points to a more all-encompassing question: How can you live each day inspired by God’s grace? The answer starts with realizing true obedience is not about cranking out good behavior but about your motivation and focus along the way. Re...
Aug 24, 2023•11 min•Ep. 149
Tithing is a common practice in many churches, but some leaders turn up the pressure by teaching we gain favor with God through our giving. Some even say you’re robbing God and committing a sin if you don’t tithe. A recent caller was struggling with guilt for not tithing to her church and asked if she was a thief who was stealing from the Lord, as her pastor suggested. So, is it a sin not to tithe? Actually, it’s a sin to tithe if we are giving from a law-based motivation rather than giving free...
Aug 17, 2023•8 min•Ep. 148
When we’ve been hurt or wronged by others, certain emotions are only natural. And the more we dwell on these offenses, the more we may gravitate toward the thought of revenge. This was the case for a recent caller who asked for help. The healthy solution when someone hurts you is to forgive them, but that sometimes feels easier said than done, especially when they’re unwilling to acknowledge the damage they’ve inflicted on you. In this episode, I share what forgiving others looks like because of...
Aug 10, 2023•12 min•Ep. 147
Can you lose your salvation? Can you walk away from God? Solid answers to these questions are essential! A recent caller had heard so many different answers from various churches and desperately needed clarity to find peace of mind. Fortunately, I had some great news to share. So check out these five compelling reasons why you can’t lose your salvation. These truths will enable you to celebrate and say with confidence, “I’m in Christ forever!” We hope you enjoyed this episode. Since we're a nonp...
Aug 03, 2023•10 min•Ep. 146
Does God pre-pick who can know Him, or do we get to truly choose Him? Beliefs about fate, free will, and predestination are key components of Calvinism. A recent caller asked if these matters make Calvinism a different gospel. I spent a couple of decades of my life believing aspects of Calvinism were correct. And while it affirms many core truths of the Gospel, I share the major problem with its view of salvation in this episode. I also address another misunderstanding that Calvinists and many r...
Jul 27, 2023•8 min•Ep. 145
In Matthew 12, Jesus describes the unforgivable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Unforgivable? That’s a scary thought, especially if you’re unsure what blasphemy means. Is it profane thoughts, speech, or actions? Can you do it unintentionally? Blasphemy is a serious topic, but the good news is it’s a sin a believer cannot commit! As I share with a caller in this episode, you have nothing to fear if you’ve called upon Jesus for salvation. You’re safe and secure, your forgiveness endures ...
Jul 20, 2023•7 min•Ep. 144
Many of us were taught we have a unique purpose in life and that glorifying God means we need to find out exactly what He has planned for us. Often, we think this unique purpose is connected to our employment. As a result, we can spend years jumping from one thing to another, searching for deeper meaning in what we do. But there’s a shortcut to uncovering your purpose. And as I share with a caller in this video clip, it’s simple and straightforward no matter what job, relationship, or season of ...
Jul 13, 2023•6 min•Ep. 143
The church often treats divorced people as the black sheep in God’s family. Some are even told that God can’t use you in ministry if you’ve been married before. But does Scripture support that? This was Brenda’s question, a recent caller to the program. While largely overlooked in Christian discussions about divorce, 1 Corinthian 7 is an eye-opening passage for answering if marital status is a qualifier to be used by God. In this episode, you’ll be encouraged that no matter what you’ve done or n...
Jul 06, 2023•8 min•Ep. 142
Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount is often viewed as a sweet passage for Christian growth. Do good to others, turn the other cheek, and pray for your enemies. But this famous passage also includes instructions to cut off body parts, give money to anyone asking, and be perfect like God. Is Jesus speaking literally, or is He just saying to live better and be nicer? In this episode, I share with a caller why we cannot water down the Sermon on the Mount. It’s a message threatening punishmen...
Jun 29, 2023•12 min•Ep. 141
As we approach June 30th – the end of our fiscal year at The Grace Message – I wanted to personally extend an invitation that’s sure to leave you inspired. In a first-ever, behind-the-scenes podcast episode, I recently sat down with my dear friend, Bob Davis, to discuss our ministry’s mission and unveil some exciting developments. During this conversation, you’ll hear why I’m so passionate about this message of grace, the life-changing impact we’re having, and the ambitious plans for the coming ...
Jun 27, 2023•23 min
Judgment Day is a terrifying thought for those who fear God’s punishment. Even Christians might be scared about what awaits them on that day. A recent caller asked about two New Testament passages concerning believers and judgment, one stating God won’t judge the righteous and another saying God will judge His people. So, which one is it? In this episode, I share what we can really expect at the final judgment. It’s a serious matter, and no one is exempt from deciding about the Gospel. But you’l...
Jun 22, 2023•8 min•Ep. 140
Understanding the freedom found in the finished work of Christ is life-changing. Knowing you’re totally forgiven, your old self is dead, and you’re a new creation is truth that will set you free! Unfortunately, not every church is preaching this Good News. It’s common to hear you can lose your salvation, you need to die to self, and you’ve got a wicked heart. A recent caller shared his frustration with teaching like this that mixes old and new. In this episode, I share how to stay centered on yo...
Jun 15, 2023•14 min•Ep. 139
Is Hell a justified punishment for the lost who haven’t accepted Christ? A recent caller was struggling with this question, trying to reconcile God’s love with the concept of Hell. Hell can be hard to comprehend if we picture God angrily and unfairly hurling people from His presence. But what if God is actually offering us rescue from the inevitable consequences of our choices? Check out this episode and find comfort and assurance in God’s heart for humanity and His loving offer of life! We hope...
Jun 08, 2023•8 min•Ep. 138
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 NASB) Any good Bible teacher knows that context is everything. Yet many Christians remain confused about 1 John 1:9, believing an ongoing cleansing ritual is needed to be forgiven and cleansed by God. It’s shocking that the religious world continues to perpetuate this doctrine, teaching believers that the blood of Jesus is less effective than the Old Test...
Jun 01, 2023•11 min•Ep. 137
The Bible says to fear God and that we should work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Does this mean we should be afraid of God? While He is King of Kings and Lord of everything, God is not the author of fear. His perfect love casts out fear, including fear of any punishment. In this episode, I share what fear means when it comes to a believer and their relationship with God. You’ll find assurance and confidence that you’re at peace with Him, there’s no looming judgment, and you’re safe ...
May 25, 2023•7 min•Ep. 136
It’s easy to be concerned about our sins, especially when the enemy reminds us of them. But the more we focus on sins, the more we start to freak out about our failures. Soon, we can spiral into questioning our forgiveness and even doubting our salvation. So, what’s the solution to avoiding this sort of panic-filled Gospel? Where do we as believers keep our focus? In this episode, I share with a caller how the Gospel is set up for you to simply fix your eyes on one thing. When you recognize this...
May 18, 2023•7 min•Ep. 135
What did Jesus mean when He told the disciples they didn’t have enough faith? A recent caller asked if a lack of faith was why her prayers were going unanswered, as her friends had suggested. Telling Christians they don’t have enough faith is part of a name-it, claim-it legalism the enemy uses to insinuate that believers need to believe harder to get bad circumstances to change. In this episode, I share why you can be confident that you have all the faith you need. So you can stop believing the ...
May 11, 2023•16 min•Ep. 134
What did Jesus mean when He told the disciples they didn’t have enough faith? A recent caller asked if a lack of faith was why her prayers were going unanswered, as her friends had suggested. Telling Christians they don’t have enough faith is part of a name-it, claim-it legalism the enemy uses to insinuate that believers need to believe harder to get bad circumstances to change. In this episode, I share why you can be confident that you have all the faith you need. So you can stop believing the ...
May 04, 2023•7 min•Ep. 133
Jesus says He’ll tell some to depart from Him at the final judgment, because He never knew them. Who exactly is Jesus referring to? Are these people who didn’t do enough? Could this include believers who then lose their salvation? These were the questions of a recent caller to the broadcast. Whether or not we can lose our salvation is one of the most frequent questions I receive. In this short video clip, I share who Jesus is referring to and address whether our quantity of works influences His ...
Apr 27, 2023•6 min•Ep. 132
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27 NIV) Genuine peace can feel elusive when we’re inundated with circumstances, the world, and all that leaves us anxious and stressed. A recent caller to our program asked about the peace mentioned by Jesus and how it’s different from the world’s idea of peace. In this episode, I share about a peace that can be known whether life is going well...
Apr 20, 2023•6 min•Ep. 131
Walking by the Spirit and bearing fruit sound like great goals for Christian living, but how exactly does all of that happen? Some think it’s about spending more time praying, or studying God’s Word, or sharing our faith. Others say it’s about learning Biblical principles to navigate your circumstances and find success in your home, workplace, or finances. In this short episode, I address what walking by the Spirit and real “victory” actually look like. You’ll discover it’s not merely about logg...
Apr 13, 2023•9 min•Ep. 130
Women serving in church leadership is controversial in many denominations. A recent caller asked if women are allowed to speak in church and if they can hold leadership positions of any kind. 1 Corinthians 14 says women should remain silent in church. And 1 Timothy 2 says women shouldn’t teach men. So, what’s up with these two passages? Here, I share my take on whether Paul is saying women today should never speak in church. Plus, I address how these controversial passages reconcile with others ...
Apr 06, 2023•14 min•Ep. 129
Anthony asks if not tithing is unacceptable to God and if it mean you’re under a curse and won’t fulfill God’s destiny for you; Elizabeth follows up to comment about giving to get blessed; the difference between Old Testament and New Testament giving. We hope you enjoyed this episode. Since we're a nonprofit organization, episodes like these are only made possible by friends like you. You can help us continue sharing God's message of grace with the world here: https://andrewfarley.org/donate/ Co...
Mar 30, 2023•18 min•Ep. 128
If you’re in Christ, you’re a new creation, with a new spirit and a new heart! But what happens to your new heart when you sin? Can it be hardened or dirtied? That was James’ question, a recent caller to the radio program. While there’s earthly consequence to sin, there’s an important spiritual distinction between the head and the heart. In this episode, I share about your new heart and whether it can be hardened, dirtied, or “not right with God.” We hope you enjoyed this episode. Since we're a ...
Mar 23, 2023•8 min•Ep. 127
