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).




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1012. Knowing That You're OK Before God

One of the biggest things people struggle with is wondering where they stand with God. This certainly includes professing Christians who may attend a church building every week. In fact, that may be part of the problem if they are consistently hearing the wrong message. Am I truly forgiven? Am I doing enough? How can I be sure? What more is needed from me?

There is a peace that passes understanding. It starts with knowing that God did everything necessary to bring us near to Him. Knowing in our hearts that we are justified by faith and not through religious efforts, having gained access by faith into this incredible grace He has extended to us. This is where we stand—whether we are aware of it or not. But it is beneficial to know and to embrace it by believing and receiving what the Holy Spirit bears witness to us ... that you are a child of God and He will never depart from you.



   
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963. Thou Shalt Read Your Bible (And Like It!)

Never mind the millions of opinions, interpretations, and thousands of church corporations and denominations about what is inside the pages of the Bible ... there is also an immeasurable number of thoughts and assumptions just about the Bible itself and what it is or isn't. Some of us were instructed to make it required reading on a daily basis. Others may have been told it is our daily bread and without ingesting it as frequently as eating food, we might starve spiritually.

Of course, we're thankful for these writings (we talk about them every week on the podcast). But anything—even something as potentially beneficial as Bible reading—can become a lifeless religious exercise that can sadly feel like a burdensome activity because of what others have told us. And everyone will have a different viewpoint on how to read it, how often, etc., without any guarantee of walking away with a better understanding of the gospel. Knowing we can pick up the pages because we want to instead of being guilted into it will make things more enjoyable ... and probably more profitable.



   
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879. God Is Just a Prayer Away? (It’s Even Better Than That)

The world system where we now live is a mess. It hasn’t been fully redeemed. Bad things happen and physical death still occurs, but it doesn’t change how good God truly is at all times. Yet there are times when we may feel like God is millions of miles away in a far off galaxy. We wonder if He is aware of what we’re going through or why we’re going through it.

It has been said that “God is just a prayer away.” This sounds encouraging on the surface, but on this week’s program, we’ll be taking it a step further to bring a reminder that the gospel provides even better news. Prayer or communion and fellowship with God doesn’t have to be like a type of long-distance phone call where you say good-bye (amen) at the end and hang up until the next time you dial the number. Hopefully we can help bring a new and fresh reality of just how connected you are to God in Christ … all the time. He created the original wireless—no password required.



   
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