1050. The Listeners Speak! The Changes Grace Brought to Them (Part 1)

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). We are just getting around to sharing those responses while briefly discussing them with our expert commentary. 🙂

This week includes the topics of:

-Tithing demands.
-The "requirement" to convert family and friends by talking about Jesus with everyone all the time.
-Feeling the obligation to pray before every meal.
-The need to regularly do penance.




"Clash of the Covenants" book available on Amazon

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.



   
Get the book

961. "I'm Exhausted" (How Can I Rest in the Finished Work of Christ?)

Try harder, do more, read the Bible more, be extra dedicated to church, pray more (and sometimes pay more). Someone wrote to us to share their background of feeling obligated to spend as much time as possible working to do everything they could "to connect with God." Many of us can relate to chasing the imaginary spiritual golden carrot that seemed to dangle just out of our reach. In their words, it left them exhausted—and the enemy will use this against us—while we lose sight of our identity as a believer in Christ.

Jesus had a message for the religious workaholic: He desires to give rest. It's the opposite of exhaustion. Unlike the law that the Jews were pursuing, it's the opposite of burdensome. His yoke is not one of imprisonment, but it is light and easy. When we begin feeling spiritually or emotionally weary and overloaded, we're probably traveling in the wrong direction—and God wants to help us with that.



   
Get the book

777. Giving Freely Without Obligation

If we’re giving because we feel it’s a requirement, then it’s not really giving. If we’re trying to love because we believe we are commanded to do so, then it’s not really love. However, when we begin to realize and believe in the perfect love God has or us as He demonstrated through Jesus and the cross, then we can truly begin to love in the same way God loves us. And giving is born from this kind of love. It makes no demands and yet seeks to help others in need without keeping a record of wrongdoing.

Godly giving through grace doesn’t seek self-reward or payback, but expects nothing in return. But our desire to give isn’t based upon religious requirements which preach you are to “give everything” or “surrender all to God.” It comes from within a new nature and a clean heart, gifted to us and received as a new creation in Christ.

   
Get the book

759. Enjoying God in Your Life

This week we provide a 10-step plan guaranteed to fill you with God’s joy. (Not really.) Like many other things related to our life in Christ, enjoying God doesn’t come with a set of instructions complete with pictures to help you put it all together. We’ve had people write to our podcast ministry feeling as though they weren’t experiencing the fullness of joy in their life.

This week, we bring some encouragement that even the joy the of the Lord isn’t dependent on us or something we do to in order to experience it on a consistent basis. We can live in joy by departing from religious duty and obligation, and by resting in being ourselves and realizing who we’ve uniquely been created to be in Him.



   
Get the book

481. You Are Not a Witness

Religion has taught us that we are defined as witnesses for Jesus. Sometimes we'll even encourage each other to "go out witnessing." That's a phrase not found in the Bible. References to witnesses in scripture are actual eye-witnesses who were with Jesus after His resurrection. Not all people saw Him, but there were witnesses who were chosen that did. Jesus had witnesses, but they were not us. Being a witness is not part of our identity in Christ, and we shouldn't feel guilt or discouragement when we feel as though we're not effectively performing the act of "witnessing." We can still freely proclaim the message of the good news to others, but it will be from a perspective of love, not duty or obligation.

We want to hear from you! In just two weeks we'll be celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Growing in Grace podcast! Would you be willing to record an audio or video greeting for us (or write us a quick note), that we might include on our special 10th anniversary podcast? If so, details on how to send it to us are here. Thanks!


Download

---

YouTube version of this episode.

---

This week's GIG Bite - A bite-sized chunk of this week's program.

---

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.

---

Download The "Grace" Commission
(Click to Play or Right-Click to Download.)

"Watch" this episode on YouTube.

---

This week's GIG Bite - A bite-sized chunk of this week's program!

---

410. God's Gift to You (Obtaining Victory Over Guilt, Obligation and Condemnation)

Very few would say they haven't struggled with guilt or condemnation from time to time. But for believers in Christ, this doesn't have to be a way of life nor should it be. One of the greatest and most effective ways to overcome this battle is to grow in understanding our identity in Christ and who He has already made you to be. What Jesus accomplished for us goes far beyond just being forgiven. You have become a brand new creation, filled with His life, love and holiness apart from works. The Spirit of God is with you constantly reminding that you are His righteousness and are in right-standing with Him.

---

Download God's Gift to You (Obtaining Victory Over Guilt, Obligation and Condemnation)
(Click to Play or Right-Click to Download.)

"Watch" this episode on YouTube.

---

This week's GIG Bite - A bite-sized chunk of this week's program!

---

187. God's Work In Us

Download/Play MP3

Most would agree that the Christian life is not a passive lifestyle. But just how is the life of the Christian animated? Where does the "action" come from? We know we're saved by the grace of God, but then is it up to us - and our own striving - to hop into action for God and His kingdom?

The Apostle Paul said he "labored abundantly." What was it that was working so mightily in him that caused him to spring into action? Was it a sense of duty to "work for God?" Was he compelled by a sense of obligation to serve God and to labor and strive for the kingdom? Or did he simply yield to God and trust His work to work mightily in Him?

The religious system is good at burdening people with heavy labor and wearing people out! Jesus told those who labored and were weary to come to Him for rest! And He said the work of God is to believe. Since we do trust God's grace to save us, can't we also trust His grace to animate us and to accomplish all that He wants to accomplish in and through us - as we simply believe, and rest in Him and trust Him!