1058. Grace Will Expose the Motivations of the Heart

When we discover a revelation of God's grace, Christians who have been inundated with doctrines of doing in order to maintain right standing with God will be confronted with something that may challenge their past mindset.

Under a legalistic, self-righteous, mixed-covenant church culture, it was more about 'doing things' in order to please God; to receive blessings, to keep from being punished, or to be noticed by others (all in the name of having a good testimony). We were programmed to think it was up to us and our obedience to remain tethered into fellowship with God. Many came from a mindset where failing to do 'enough of the stuff' might risk how God will react to them. The motivation was based more upon avoiding God becoming angry with them or withholding blessings.

While living in the unchangeable grace and perfect love of God at all times, what is our motivation compared to the above? Now that we know blessings and forgiveness are secure and complete in Christ by the gift of His grace, what is the motivation for loving and helping others and doing good things? In short, we'll find it in knowing and believing in God's perfect love and who we already are in Him.




"Clash of the Covenants" book available on Amazon

1057. A Listener Asks About Overcoming Past Regrets, Religious Exhaustion and Church Attendance

God's grace teaches us so much over time when compared to religious routines and traditions of "doing" that have often missed the core message of the gospel of God's love. We're continuing with the second part of a letter we received from a newer listener to the podcast who is beginning to see the message of grace and recognizing the contrasts with much of what they may have been taught in the corporate church system. They ask about how to overcome past regrets for things said and done ... the feeling of exhaustion from church-related activities ... and wrestling with whether they and their young family should attend church regularly.




"Clash of the Covenants" book available on Amazon

1056. A New Listener Writes About Their Faith Roller Coaster - It May Be Your Story Too

Over the past couple of decades, we've received correspondence from people from around the world. We've been blessed by so many emails and comments. We've also heard stories from some who shared very difficult things they have experienced from church denominations and religious tradition ... and some of those were quite sad.

We recently received a nice letter from a new listener who discovered our podcast and shared some of his experiences while just beginning to have the eyes of his understanding opened to the message of the gospel of grace. Chances are very good that much of what he is sharing will sound very familiar to you if you have progressed into the good news of the gift of righteousness. For some, it will bring reminders from your distant past ... or more recently for some. We felt it is probably an accurate representation of what many Christians go through when being set free from ideologies that are so burdensome within the mixed covenant culture quite dominant in corporate Christianity. We're going to do something different on this program and share the letter and some thoughts for those eagerly seeking answers to what may seem like "newfound faith."




"Clash of the Covenants" book available on Amazon

1055. The Listeners Speak! The Changes Grace Brought to Them (Part 6)

This is the final installment from our previous request ... asking listeners to share something that completely changed for them as they slipped from the roots of religious legalism into the grace of the gospel.

This week includes the topics of:

- The fear of participating in communion "in an unworthy manner" because of certain sins that religion declares will cause a separation with God or result in a negative effect on our fellowship with Him.
- The fear of bloodline curses or various curses from a lack of obedience in behavior.
- Church members putting a guilt trip on those who do not attend regularly or deem them to be in error when they leave or attend a different church building.




"Clash of the Covenants" book available on Amazon

1054. The Listeners Speak! The Changes Grace Brought to Them (Part 5)

Some weeks ago, we asked our listeners to comment on something that completely changed for them as they slipped from the roots of religious legalism into the grace of the gospel.

This week includes the topics of:

- Trying to keep some type of weekly religious sabbath and attempting to "Christianize" the concept (mix the Old Covenant with the New).
- The habit of continuously seeking or asking God's Spirit to come ... or asking God to come into our presence (as though He left for another zip code).
- Asking God daily for forgiveness—again and again (as if the cross never happened).
- Equating church attendance with one's spiritual state ... having people wanting to pray with an attendee to repent and get right with God (after they haven't shown up for a while).




"Clash of the Covenants" book available on Amazon

1053. The Listeners Speak! The Changes Grace Brought to Them (Part 4)

A while back, we asked our listeners to comment on something that completely changed for them as they slipped from the roots of religious legalism into the grace of the gospel.

This week includes the topics of:

- The Holy Spirit does not convict believers of sin, but unbelievers.
- Knowing that not all Bible verses are what they appear and are often taken out of context.
- "Daily disciplines" or routines are not required to get closer to God. Jesus has become a new and living way for us.
- Dispensationalism.
- Holiness and sanctification are gifts that came through Jesus and not something unattainable that we progressively or gradually work at to become more righteous or acceptable to God.
- Overcoming the painful experience of self-righteous judgement by getting kicked out of church for what the hierarchy viewed as failing their so-called moral code (dancing).




"Clash of the Covenants" book available on Amazon

1052. The Listeners Speak! The Changes Grace Brought to Them (Part 3)

A few weeks ago, we asked our listeners to respond with comments to this:

Name something that completely changed things for you when coming from a traditional or legalistic-based religious mindset compared to a greater knowledge of the gospel of grace. For those who have experienced such a journey, the differences are nothing short of amazing (and exciting). There is a good chance you have had similar experiences you'll find very relatable.

This week includes the topics of:

- Thinking a believer in Christ can forfeit their salvation.
- The Holy Spirit convicts us (believers) of sin.
-Religious accusations of idol worship motivated by guilt.
- God's love didn't really bring any change to you unless you were wholeheartedly committed to church ministry.
- Misunderstanding our identity inherited in Christ ... instead of working or doing something to attain what God has already gifted.




"Clash of the Covenants" book available on Amazon