It can be disheartening when our friends or family members distance themselves from the message of God’s grace, showing no interest in discussing matters of faith with us. So, how can we approach this sensitive subject with love and care? And how can we express our heartfelt desire for their well-being through understanding the whole Gospel message? I recently shared a series of thought-provoking questions designed to facilitate conversations about God’s grace. The Gospel is undeniably great new...
May 02, 2024•12 min•Ep. 185
Galatians 5 mentions a hope of righteousness that might leave you wondering if being righteous is something still to come in the future. That was Walter’s question when he called into our radio program. In the video, I share the incredible hope of the Gospel we experience right now. It’s not about balancing the law with grace but living in newness of life in Christ. Listen and be encouraged in your freedom to jettison law-based, lifeless religion! We hope you enjoyed this episode. Since we're a ...
Apr 25, 2024•9 min•Ep. 184
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. (John 6:44) Sean called in to our radio program seeking counsel on John 6:44. Does this verse indicate God only invites certain people to Himself? That knowing God is simply a matter of fate? Well, if that’s the case, there wouldn’t be much point to evangelism or world missions. Sharing our faith would need to include the caveat, “this might not work if you’re not one of the chosen.” In this...
Apr 18, 2024•10 min•Ep. 183
The message of God’s grace can sound radically different from anything Christians have heard in popular religion. God’s grace challenges what many believers have been taught regarding forgiveness. One Sunday, you hear that God remembers your sins no more. The next week, you’re told to confess your sins to receive forgiveness from God. So, which is it? Has God taken away your sins forever, or do you need to ask Him to do it daily? Or maybe you’re taught that grace and forgiveness are merely topic...
Apr 11, 2024•17 min•Ep. 182
"A recent caller to the radio program asked if the Kingdom of God Jesus preached about is like a second Gospel message. In this episode, I address Jesus’ preaching that raised the bar on the law. It’s bad news – nails in the coffin – for people who think they can achieve righteousness through works or dedication. There’s a perfect and impossible benchmark you cannot reach if you’re trying to impress God with your actions. But there’s also a Gospel of good news if you’re willing to accept the gif...
Apr 04, 2024•5 min•Ep. 181
A recent caller to the radio program shared about a seminary student who decided to stop following Christ. Maybe you’ve heard a friend or loved one make a similar statement or decision. Can people really just wake up one day and decide they don’t love Jesus anymore? In this episode, I address several possibilities for answering this question, and it speaks to the permanence of our salvation. Here’s a hint: Nobody has temporary eternal life. We hope you enjoyed this episode. Since we're a nonprof...
Mar 28, 2024•7 min•Ep. 180
I’m thrilled to introduce you to an incredible new resource that I believe is the ultimate online tool for finding answers to your Bible questions. And it’s exclusively available through The Grace Message! BibleQuestions.com is a remarkable website that answers any Bible question in 10 seconds or less. Not only is it fast and user-friendly, but it also caters to people from all around the world, offering responses in 95 different languages. What a mission! Take a moment and see for yourself why ...
Mar 21, 2024•8 min•Ep. 179
Bill called in to ask what it means that Jesus is our Advocate. If our sins are forgiven, forgotten, and taken away, then what is He advocating? In this episode, I highlight the difference between the constant work of Old Testament priests and our High Priest, Jesus Christ. It’s a beautiful reminder that our forgiveness is truly finished and there’s no further work to be done! We hope you enjoyed this episode. Since we're a nonprofit organization, episodes like these are only made possible by fr...
Mar 14, 2024•5 min•Ep. 178
Old Testament references to a double blessing or double anointing of the Holy Spirit might leave you wondering if you have all of the Spirit. Should born-again Christians today ask for more of the Spirit, a fresh anointing, or worry about the Spirit of God coming and going? In this episode, I share New Covenant promises that will assure you of your union with the Spirit and address whether you need to ask for more spiritual blessings. Enjoy! We hope you enjoyed this episode. Since we're a nonpro...
Mar 07, 2024•6 min•Ep. 177
"What if I told you that Jesus wants to do marriage through you? It’s a radical idea, but His divine presence can unlock the power to transform your marriage. Amidst the hurts and unmet expectations that most spouses face, tapping into the power of God’s grace and your union with Jesus can help you navigate these challenges and find your respect, honor, value, and worth. Check out this extended excerpt from the broadcast that explores practical ways to live out this truth. You’ll hear several il...
Feb 29, 2024•36 min•Ep. 176
A recent listener to the radio program, Sue, called to ask about Hebrews 6 and if you can lose your salvation once you’ve been saved. It’s a challenging passage that can sound ominous. Is this a word of caution to believers about falling away from the faith? A warning to people riding the fence about Jesus and the consequences of passing Him up? In this episode, I address the point of this passage and the encouragement it contains for those in Christ! We hope you enjoyed this episode. Since we'r...
Feb 22, 2024•9 min•Ep. 175
What do we do with people we think might be abusing God’s grace? A caller from Canada recently asked about Christians who continue to choose sin. Sin is mastering too many people. But does the teaching of God’s grace cause more sin or less sin? If God’s grace is dangerous, should we instead give people more rules to follow? In this episode, I address whether more law or more grace will help those who are struggling. It’s a message the church desperately needs to hear. We hope you enjoyed this ep...
Feb 15, 2024•10 min•Ep. 174
While the world may portray Christianity as stiff, lifeless, and judgmental, the reality is far from that. The Gospel and Jesus Himself are off the charts incredible. When you receive Christ, you are made new. You are completely forgiven, accepted, and loved and have access to the comfort and guidance of the God of the Universe. There is no standard to meet, because Jesus has already met it perfectly. You have the incredible privilege of having the presence of Jesus with you and in you forever. ...
Feb 08, 2024•15 min•Ep. 173
A recent caller to the radio program, Derek, asked if there’s such a thing as the unforgivable or unpardonable sin. 1 John 5:16 references a sin that leads to death. Jesus mentions in Matthew 12:31 every sin will be forgiven except for one. Does this mean eternal life can become temporary life? Are we saved from any sin imaginable, or all but one? In this episode, I share the one unforgivable sin – and if believers are at risk of committing it. We hope you enjoyed this episode. Since we're a non...
Feb 01, 2024•7 min•Ep. 172
The idea of Christians balancing law and grace is a common misconception in the church today. Yes, the Law is good and serves as a tutor to lead us to Christ, so it might seem logical that it brings stability to Christian living. But as believers, we are no longer under the Law. Trying to balance it with grace will only lead to a mixture of failure and victory. That’s because sin thrives under the Law, but sin is dead under grace! In this eye-opening clip from the daily broadcast, you’ll learn w...
Jan 25, 2024•7 min•Ep. 171
Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:13-14) A recent listener to the radio program, Lenny, called to ask if Matthew 7:13-14 indicates more people will ultimately be lost than saved. It’s a timely question in light of culture’s focus on inclusion and acceptance, and Universalism’s mes...
Jan 18, 2024•8 min•Ep. 170
It’s easy to feel discouraged when we see suffering. The pain and hurt caused by evil in this world might leave us doubting the goodness of God. If God is good, why does He allow disasters and tragedies? That’s the question a recent radio listener asked, and in this episode, I go back to our world’s first tragedy to help explain all the tragedies since. I share the truth about God’s presence in the midst of suffering and why you can taste and see that the Lord is good! We hope you enjoyed this e...
Jan 11, 2024•10 min•Ep. 169
In Psalm 51:11, David pleads with God, “Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.” Old Testament prayers like this seem to indicate a person can lose the Holy Spirit. That’s why a listener recently asked if a believer could have, lose, and then regain the Holy Spirit. Thankfully, the New Covenant offers us a solid answer to this question. In this episode, you’ll discover why the gift of the Holy Spirit is irrevocable and why there are no exceptions or cond...
Jan 04, 2024•11 min•Ep. 168
When we reflect on why we do what we do at The Grace Message, it’s simple: we want as many as possible to experience the grace of God! Far too many people have been taught that Christianity is about sin management and self-improvement, jumping through hoops trying to get right and stay right with God. They don’t know the freedom found in their forgiveness, righteousness, and new identity in Christ. In this episode, I share with a recent caller the importance of remaining solely focused on grace ...
Dec 28, 2023•10 min•Ep. 167
This week of Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. His earthly life and ministry express God’s great love for us, and His death and resurrection ushered in the incredible gift of the New Covenant. Many, however, have never heard a good explanation of the New Covenant or understood its importance. In this episode, I explain what makes the New different from the Old. I also share some powerful truths about God’s new way as they relate to your new heart, your new desires, and your once...
Dec 21, 2023•8 min•Ep. 166
Many are taught that living the Christian life is about adherence to a set of rules, political beliefs, or conservative values. Or that it’s about observing religious rituals and pursuing clean living. But is this common view of Christianity really the good news of the Gospel? In this short episode, I address a question that every thinking Christian needs to be asking: What does real Christianity look like? You’ll hear a freeing, inspiring answer that transcends politics, principles, and self-im...
Dec 14, 2023•9 min•Ep. 165
A recent caller to the radio program asked if unconfessed sin hinders our prayers. Does it create an obstacle or blockage to our fellowship with God? What about the sins we forget to confess? In this video clip, I share how some religious teachers have used this approach to scare Christians into behaving. But what’s intended as motivational has the opposite effect. It’s a hijacking of forgiveness and a hedging on the blood of Christ. There’s a much better solution. Celebrate the truth with me to...
Dec 07, 2023•10 min•Ep. 164
Shortly before ascending to Heaven, Jesus’ last words included, “Go and make disciples.” Known as the Great Commission, this famous instruction serves as a rallying cry for many churches and inspires people to move to the far corners of the Earth. But did Jesus truly say, “Go”? A closer look at the original language reveals something intriguing. It actually reads, “As you go…” or even “Having gone…” Is it possible we’ve misunderstood parts of this passage? As I share with a caller in this short ...
Nov 30, 2023•11 min•Ep. 163
Can the sins of preceding generations be passed down to us? Sharon, a young believer, recently called into the radio program asking for clarity on this. She has received counsel from long-time believers who say she should pray away those generational curses. In this short video clip, I warn against following someone just because they’ve been a believer for a long time. I also address if we should be concerned about generational curses passed down by people in our lineage. You’ll discover what it...
Nov 28, 2023•10 min•Ep. 162
When friends or family make lifestyle choices that don’t align with Biblical truth, knowing how to love them can be challenging. Do you keep quiet or say something and share your view? Or do you withdraw and avoid time together to make it clear you don’t agree? A recent caller asked how to navigate a painful family situation and avoid the appearance of condoning poor decisions. In this short episode, I share where to keep your focus when facing awkward interactions with family members. You’ll be...
Nov 16, 2023•6 min•Ep. 161
The events surrounding the return of Christ can be captivating for Christians. Plenty of popular teaching outlines the timing of what’s to come, including a rapture of believers, unbelievers left behind, tribulations, and more. While these end times events come from pictures and symbols found in the New Testament and the book of Revelation, we should be cautious about translating imagery into a literal sequence of events that we can follow with certainty. As I share with a recent caller, despite...
Nov 09, 2023•7 min•Ep. 160
When you’re discouraged or weighed down by difficult circumstances, God can start to feel distant. It’s easy to think you might need more faith to carry you through. Thankfully, it’s not the size or quantity of your faith that’s important. If you’re a believer, you have all the faith you need! It’s where you direct it that matters. As I recently shared with a caller, you can stop striving to get more faith. Instead, you need to feed your faith! Soaking in the truth of God’s grace and your union ...
Nov 02, 2023•7 min•Ep. 159
Given its pagan roots, some Christians question whether Halloween is an appropriate holiday to celebrate. A recent caller to our program asked to what extent Christians should participate and how to respond to family members who might think differently. While it’s important to be sensitive to a weaker brother and steer clear of anything celebrating witchcraft or evil, does our freedom in Christ allow us to enjoy the candy and costumes? In this episode, I share how Paul’s response to the Corinthi...
Oct 26, 2023•7 min•Ep. 158
In my book “God Without Religion,” I wrote that “self-improvement is a sin and an impossibility.” That’s right, a sin! In Galatians 3, Paul chastises the Galatians for trying to perfect themselves through self-effort. This is very different from what popular religion teaches, and a recent caller asked for clarification. Doesn’t God want the world to self-improve? Doesn’t it please Him when I do my part and work toward bettering myself? As I share in this episode, God never calls you to improve y...
Oct 19, 2023•7 min•Ep. 157
Christians today have access to more translations and versions of the Bible than ever before. But which one is most accurate? A recent caller heard the King James Version was the best, and many today still believe it contains the fewest errors. There’s a lot to consider when we talk about translations, versions, and inerrancy, but we should be careful about labeling any version the “best” – including the King James, which can be problematic in some cases. As I share in this episode, while there ...
Oct 12, 2023•10 min•Ep. 156
