A family friend recently started working with a Christian ministry that focuses on youth. She told them that she believes in the gospel of grace and that she enjoys the ministry of GES. The youth ministry claims that it agrees with the Bible’s teaching regarding grace. But our friend noticed that in certain areas, those in the ministry were unclear about grace. She thought she might be able to bring these issues into sharper focus. The ministry’s staff engages in Bible studies throughout the week, and she thought these could provide a good opportunity to discuss how Free Grace impacts various Bible passages.

GES recently held a conference in Georgia. Our friend helped at that conference. The theme involved words that are commonly misunderstood among Evangelicals. One area of discussion was how Free Grace theology impacts Romans 10. Bob Wilkin has a video on Romans 10, and our friend was anxious to discuss this information with her friends in the youth ministry. She shared Bob’s video with them.

The leader of the ministry, however, voiced concerns about what he was hearing. He did some in-depth research on Free Grace theology and said he didn’t like what he found. In a series of meetings, he told our friend that GES was “fringe,” “inflexible,” and implied that we were a cult and could not be teaching the truth. It was obvious to him that this was the case because he had searched out dozens of commentaries on Romans, and they all disagreed with Bob’s (and Free Grace’s) view. He admitted that Bob had clearly studied the Bible a great deal, but there was no need to look at any of the verses in detail because the majority of commentators had spoken.

The leader added that Free Grace preaches an unbiblical gospel. If somebody commits a very serious sin, such as denying the faith, they cannot “go to heaven.” He seemed to indicate that if such a person were a believer, they would lose their eternal salvation. He then informed our friend that she could no longer be a part of their ministry because of her grace beliefs.

There are a number of lessons that our friend–and we–can learn from her experience. I know that many who read this blog already know what I’m about to say. But it will be a good reminder for everyone. If you’re new to Free Grace teaching, and if the Lord delays His coming, you’ll soon come to realize these things for yourself.

First, people in Christendom often use the same words but with different understandings of their meanings. Teachers will use the word grace, but their definition of grace is incorrect. If you are Free Grace, you know that grace means “absolutely free” and that works have nothing to do with it. Many, however, mix works into their definition, thereby using it to mean the exact opposite of what the Bible says. The leader of that youth ministry demonstrates this fact. He says the unbeliever is saved by grace; however, if the person later does evil, he proves that he was never saved. The meaning of grace has been radically changed.

Second, if you teach grace, you will be opposed. The ministry leader told the truth about one thing: The majority of teachers/preachers/books oppose Free Grace. It is impossible to faithfully proclaim unlosable eternal life through faith in Christ alone and not be challenged. Our family friend is young. She’s learned this lesson early on in life.

Third, many within Christendom do not focus on exegesis. They have become like the Pharisees in the NT. In order to determine what was true, the Pharisees appealed to what the great rabbis, past and present, said. Free Grace theology is often rejected because the vast majority of Evangelical teachers do not teach it. If the majority disagree with grace, it is maintained, then grace cannot be true.

Finally, being inflexible in your theology is a good thing. Free Grace theology is often attacked for not being willing to accept other views on the gospel of eternal life. We are told that it’s no big deal if somebody believes that you can lose your salvation, or that you must do works to prove you have salvation, or that you won’t get final salvation until after you die. In their view, Free Grace folks are inflexible people who can’t work with others.

But the leader of the ministry my friend was involved in shows that this works both ways. Those in the majority are inflexible as well. And they should be. If, as the leader of that ministry believes, a person can lose his salvation, then he was correct in telling our friend she was no longer welcome to work with them. The gospel preached by the majority within Christendom is incompatible with grace. The point I’m making is that those who accuse GES of being inflexible are inflexible themselves. I appreciate that the leader of that ministry recognizes the importance of the issue.

Free Grace theology is the result of studying the Bible. If you are involved in teaching it, you will have experiences similar to our friend’s. I’m excited that she experienced first-hand the opposition Free Grace people often encounter. I know many of us look at what happened to her and say, “Been there, done that.”