979. Just Another Religion? Shrinking the Christ Life Down to a Religious To-Do List

If someone were to sincerely come up and ask you: "What is the Christian life?" How would you describe it? Let's pause this week and ask ourselves this same question. By doing so, it may lead us to pause and reflect—and perhaps learn something from the One who abides within.

Has our belief in Jesus Christ been turned into something that can be found in the smorgasbord of most of the thousands of other religions that are out there? Have we shrunk what was meant to be a supernatural, interactive relationship down to a "to-do" list of rigorous religious routines that focus more on the external ... while leading many towards self-condemnation and the judging of others?

Maybe (just maybe) life in Christ is far wider, longer, higher, and deeper than what we have known. Perhaps God wants us to experience Him in a way that abundantly exceeds our limited assumptions—significantly beyond what we could ask or think regarding the doctrines of men, theology, and Bible interpretations. You want this. In fact, you inwardly long for it ... and the good news is ... God wants you to have it.



   
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600. Looking Back - How We Crossed the Grace Bridge

On the celebration of the 600th Growing in Grace weekly podcast, Mike & Joel reflect back on how they transferred from various forms of religious legalism found in much of Christianity, to the grace of God and unconditional love found in Jesus Christ. This is their story, but it’s not their song… It’s just blessed assurance.



   

413. The "Grace" Commission

Much has been taught and said about something that is referred to as The Great Commission... Referring to when Jesus commissioned His disciples to go into all the world to proclaim the gospel. Some of what Jesus spoke was specifically for the 11 disciples.

Unfortunately, at times believers have been made to feel obligated to share the good news in specific ways that can cause guilt and condemnation when they feel they are not living up to the standard or expectations they think God has for them. We can all be involved in spreading the good news but as different parts of the body we may have very unique functions regarding our participation.

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412. The Accusation of 'Hypergrace'

The term "hypergrace" has been used recently by some who apparently believe that grace is being taken to an extreme. We address a few of these concerns from an article in a popular Christian publication. The first thing that needs to be confronted here is the misunderstanding that legalistic religion has clung to and that is the belief that the New Covenant is a more perfect continuation of the Old Covenant. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, this line of thinking will point entirely in the wrong direction and will lead to many more misunderstandings regarding the gospel of grace.

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409. God's Gift to You (Has Already Been Given)

God loved you so much that He gave. He gave all He had to give with the gift of His Son. With this gift He has already brought you everything that pertains to life and godliness. He has made you accepted, holy, blameless, forgiven, perfected. The New Covenant will not allow us to try to make things right. He already has. Those who hunger and thirst for more from God can realize that He has done all that is necessary to bring reconciliation between you and Him. He has declared peace with us. Simply believe the good news.

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406. What is the Flesh? (The Good, the Bad, the Ugly)

When referring to "the flesh" in the Bible the first thing that comes to mind is probably going to be sinful actions. But walking after the flesh can also at times appear outwardly to be very positive spiritually, and even fruitful. We call it religious flesh. We discuss the differences and offer some encouragement on how to avoid falling into it. Whether it appears to be good or bad, walking after the flesh is ugly compared to life in the Spirit.

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405. The Destruction and Removal of Sin

Condemnation is a burdensome thing. It may be self-inflicted or it can come from the self-righteous judgment of others. Adam's action brought condemnation. But Jesus' action at the cross brought justification. The act of His sacrifice brought something to us that our world had never experienced... The removal of sin. It was destroyed. Through His blood we not only received eternal forgiveness but sin was taken away once and for all. If you've ever felt guilt because of things you've done wrong, we've got good news for you.

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403. Jesus the Healer

The life and ministry of Jesus while He was on the earth describes many miracles that included a demonstration God's healing power. We begin to see the immeasurable love God had for people through these works being done through His Son. It was a reflection of His desire and His will when it came to physical needs. The subject of healing has caused confusion and wonder among some. Regardless of your experiences or circumstances, our purpose with this program is to try to bring some reassurance and hope as we look at the goodness of God and physical healing through the eyes of grace.

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401. The Amazing Bible Passage Disappearing Act

Imagine having the "gift" of being able to determine which scriptures in the Bible are not God-inspired and should be removed. There could be numerous reasons for removing many verses or even chapters. For example, suppose there is one that messes up your existing belief or doctrine. Perhaps it's one you just don't understand or feel that it contradicts with other passages. Just take a black highlighter and Poof! - It's gone. You'll have the Bible down to less than half the size in no time. Maybe even come up with your very own translation.

OR... We have another suggestion on this week's GIGcast.

And in case you missed it, we posted "GIGBite Bonus Podcast 1" this past Wednesday, in celebration of having reached the milestone of our 400th Growing in Grace podcast! Look for two additional bonus podcasts as well, this coming Wednesday and the following Wednesday.

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400. Good News Reminders

Sometimes we just need to pause and reflect on what Christ has done and what it means for us. Our days are often filled with bad news and it can even carry over into Bible teaching that we're exposed to. It's good to be reminded that God isn't angry with you, that He doesn't hold sin against you, that you are fully accepted by Him through Jesus Christ and that there is no reason to hide or to be afraid. God prepared Jesus with a body for a sacrifice that would be the last but certainly not the least.

And by the way, we've hit another milestone here on Growing in Grace! This is our 400th podcast!!! To celebrate, we've compiled three bonus podcasts that we'll be sharing on the next three Wednesdays. All of the weekly "GIGBites" that are posted with each podcast, to give listeners a tiny taste of the content of the podcast, contain grace and encouragement in and of themselves. The upcoming bonus podcasts will each be 15 to 16 minute mixes of all the GIGBites from the past 100 Growing in Grace podcasts!  Look for the first bonus podcast this Wednesday.

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399. Religion Chases People From God

Many have been exposed to various kinds of "religious" teachings in the past and it has led them to a place where they attempt to avoid anything to do with God in the present. This would indicate that they either haven't heard the actual gospel or never arrived at a place where they began to understand it. It can lead to a desire to hide from God or act as if He doesn't exist. Of course we really can't hide from the Lord but this can be the mentality that one can fall into. If you've ever felt like you weren't worthy of God or that you couldn't live up to His expectations as good as the "church" people you've been around, we've got good news for you!

Religion Chases People From God (14 Min, 9.6 MB)
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398. The Bible Can Be Dangerous to Read If...

It's one of the oldest tricks in the book. Bible verses being taken out of context. Of course most don't even realize this is what they are doing. Sometimes when we read or memorize certain verses it can lead to tunnel vision, misunderstanding and confusion. Of course we'll often have different opinions on things from time to time but one of the reasons there are thousands of church denominations, doctrines and cults is due to a general misunderstanding of what the gospel is. And a leading cause of that is taking scripture out of context along with confusing the Old Covenant with the New and mixing them together into one.

As someone once told us: "The Bible can be one of the most dangerous books you'll ever read if you..." (Take a listen to the podcast for the conclusion to this suspenseful cliff hanger.)

The Bible Can Be Dangerous to Read If... (14 Min, 9.6 MB)
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397. Our Nature of God's Righteousness, Not Self-Righteousness

On our last podcast we talked about those who feel the need to accuse others of wrong doing and how it stems from a foundation of legalism and self-righteousness. This week we take a closer look at why the law inspires accusations against us and how we have been freed from this. In Christ we have received a brand new nature of righteousness, that is, the righteousness of God has been revealed in us. This is the gospel at its very foundation. It allows us to live free of guilt, condemnation and accusations that would try to come against us and provides us with grace to experience a relationship of love without fear of wondering what God thinks of us.

Our Nature of God's Righteousness, Not Self-Righteousness (14 Min, 9.6 MB)
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396. Where Are Your Accusers?

We take a look at the well-known story of the woman caught in the act of adultery. Why was she accused and what happened to her accusers? The devil is called the accuser of the brethren in one passage of scripture. But of the nearly 2 dozen references of accusers in the New Testament, almost all of them are religious people who were zealous for the Law. If you're looking to be accused of wrong doing, hang out with self-righteous religious people.

Yet Jesus did not accuse the accusers. Rather, He pointed out someone who did accuse them of not believing in Him. It turns out to be one of their heroes.

Where Are Your Accusers? (14 Min, 9.6 MB)
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395. Choices - Good and Bad

Our discussion centers around making choices in the context of our life in Christ. We have His life and it has brought forgiveness and righteousness. Nothing can ever separate you from Him nor can anything change the new creation that you are in Him. Yet with this incredible freedom remains the ability to make choices. Sometimes we'll make good decisions and other times not. Grace will encourage us to make better choices in life. Bad choices are more likely to occur when we forget our new identity in Him. While all things may be lawful not everything will be profitable. Yet guilt and condemnation have no place in the life of a believer. Never.

Choices - Good and Bad (14 Min, 9.6 MB)
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394. You Are Forgiven

It's done. Complete. The issue of sin coming between us and God has been eternally dealt with... And it was God who dealt with it through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Some will ask God to forgive. His response is that He already has. The sacrifice of Christ occurred once and for all... It did not bring temporary forgiveness. New Covenant scriptures declare we are already forgiven. God has already "reconciled the world to Himself and does not count our sins against us." Why? We've been freed from the law that imputed sin to our account. The sacrifice of Christ took sin away forever. Under the New Covenant God declares that "He will remember our sins and iniquities no more." Now we can live in a relationship of unconditional love instead of in fear and judgment. By faith we trust in what Jesus has already accomplished.

You Are Forgiven (14 Min, 9.6 MB)
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393. The Fruit of the Law

Oftentimes Christian believers are taught to abide by old covenant commandments that were handed down to the Jewish people. By trying to keep these rules and commands it actually strengthens sin and reduces the amount of (good) fruit coming forth. The law brought death, guilt, enmity and it was against us. So what happened after Christ came and died? What relationship do we have to these commandments under the new covenant? The focus is no longer on our good works but it's on Christ working through us. He will bear the fruit. Mixing the law into our new life in Him will produce another kind of fruit that we want to avoid.

The Fruit of the Law (14 Min, 9.6 MB)
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392. Freed From the Ministry of Death

The ministry of death may sound like an oxymoron, after all, isn't ministry supposed to be about life? Yet Paul used this phrase to describe something that the Jewish people were bound to be under. Was it sin? Animal sacrifices? God's judgment? It may surprise some to find out the "ministry of death" that Paul was referring to is what we know as the 10 commandments. The law of Moses could only produce death. There was no law or commandment that could make us right with God regardless of how hard one tried to keep it. The good news is we have died to the law and are freed from it because of Jesus Christ. We just happen to like good news.

Freed From the Ministry of Death (14 Min, 9.6 MB)
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391. Jesus Taught the Law to Show How Impossible It Is

Jesus said He didn't come to abolish the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill them. And this is exactly what He did. He taught the law. He directed the people who were under the law (the Jews) to follow the law. His law ministry was directed to people who were under the law. Why did He do this? Jesus was showing those who thought they were following the law that they really fell far short of it.

If you're going to try to justify yourself before God by attempting to follow the standards of His laws, Jesus will show you, as He did various people whom He came across, just how lofty a standard the law really is! We can then either go away sad (like the rich young ruler did) or we can come to the realization that since it's such an unattainable standard, what we really need is the gift of God's righteousness, apart from any of our own attempts at living up to God's lawful standards.

The gospel is not about us establishing righteousness through what we do. But rather it's about God establishing it for us. This is what Jesus attempted to reveal as He spoke to these people prior to the New Covenant.

Jesus Taught the Law to Show How Impossible It Is (14 Min, 9.6 MB)
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390. The Sermon On the Mount - Teaching the Impossible

Jesus told His Jewish listeners that their righteousness would need to exceed that of the Pharisees and teachers of the law. Why? Because they were attempting to establish their own self-righteousness through works of the law. Jesus summed up the entire teaching of the Sermon on the Mount by stating, "So be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect." If that sounds like a recipe for failure, you're correct. The law demanded the impossible from us - Perfection. But it could not provide it.

The gospel is not about us establishing righteousness through what we do. But rather it's about God establishing it for us. This is what Jesus attempted to reveal as He spoke to these people prior to the New Covenant.

The Sermon On the Mount - Teaching the Impossible (14 Min, 9.6 MB)
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