Blog – Grace Evangelical Society

What Evidence Is There That There Will Be Believers in Jesus Christ During the Tribulation?

September 17, 2021 by Bob Wilkin in Blog - Revelation 16:9-11, Revelation 9:20-21, Saints in the Book of Revelation

Derek asks a very good question: I very much enjoy GES and all of the assurance I’ve found through your writings. I have a question. I’m reading through Revelation and J. Vernon McGee’s commentary. He, as well as others, talks about “Tribulation saints,” people who will turn to Christ during the tribulation.   However, in 9:18

C. S. Lewis on Fame with God

September 16, 2021 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - C. S. Lewis, fame, glory, rewards

There is more to Christian living than escaping “hell” and being born again. As amazing as the free gift of everlasting life is, that is merely the first step. Jesus has much more in store for you. Such as? How about fame? Now, I’m not talking about worldly fame—the way movie stars, sports figures, and

How Would You Define Saving Faith?

September 15, 2021 by Bob Wilkin in Blog - faith as intellectual assent, saving faith

I still use the expression saving faith occasionally since it saves a lot of space. By saving faith, I mean faith in the saving object, the gift of God (everlasting life, John 4:10, 14; Eph 2:8) given by the Messiah Giver Jesus (John 4:25-26; 6:47). But what is faith? It probably is no surprise to

Is It Likely That a Born-Again Person Would Rape, Pillage, and Murder?

September 14, 2021 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - discipline, divine discipline, Sin Unto Death

“What if?” questions are handy for testing the consistency of a plan or theory. Philosophers love hypothetical scenarios. For example, the trolley problem helps test the consistency of your moral intuitions (see here). And the brain-in-a-vat problem tests theories about what you can and cannot know (see here). If a hypothetical reveals a self-contradiction within

What Did Moses Mean When He Asked God to Blot Him Out of His Book (Exod 32:32)?

September 13, 2021 by Bob Wilkin in Blog - being blotted out of God’s book, the book of life

Today I received an actual typed letter. It was from Martin. He asked about a famous verse in Exodus 32. That chapter deals with the golden calf incident. While Moses was up on Mount Sinai meeting with the Lord (preincarnate Jesus Christ) and receiving the law, Aaron, at the insistence of the people, made two

Is Your Desire for Rewards Too Weak?

September 10, 2021 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - C. S. Lewis, desires, Eternal Rewards, motivations

Jesus commanded, “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matt 6:20), and He promised to return with “My reward…to give to every one according to his work” (Rev 22:12). You can find the topic of eternal rewards written across Scripture, with promises of riches, wealth, mansions, and authority in the life to come. Shouldn’t you

What and Where Is Gehenna?

September 9, 2021 by Bob Wilkin in Blog - Gehenna, lake of fire, Valley of Hinnom

My friend Bill Fiess sent me an email suggesting that my view of Gehenna was not correct. He wrote: “It has been suggested (I think by you) that hell is not the same as the lake of fire [Rev 20:15], but I think that Matt 18:8-9 [and also the parallel Mark 9:45-47] suggest otherwise.” Matthew

Does GES Have Follow-Up Materials for Bible Studies and Discipleship Groups?

September 8, 2021 by Bob Wilkin in Blog - Bible study materials, discipleship groups, follow up materials

A friend who does college ministry on campus for several colleges in his area asked me if we have any discipleship materials: “Do you have any Free Grace follow-up material on things like assurance of salvation, quiet times, walking in the Spirit, the Great Commission, and the need for fellowship. I’d prefer FG material.” We

Did John Fail?

September 7, 2021 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - evangelism, John's Gospel, Repentance

When people hear the claim that John wrote his Gospel with an evangelistic purpose, they’re often surprised because they’ve never heard that before. But after reading John 20:30-31, they usually admit that is the case. However, people become very skeptical when you start reasoning based on that premise, such as deducing that John’s Gospel must

Widespread Confusion in Evangelicalism Today: Is Faith Plus Works a Saving Message?

September 6, 2021 by Bob Wilkin in Blog - Are Arminians saved?, Gal 1:6-9, John 5:39-40, works salvation

Works salvation is the view that justification is not by faith alone, but is by faith plus works (e.g., baptism, turning from sins, and perseverance in obedience). Many who call themselves Evangelicals today believe that works salvation is a saving message. That obviously includes those who believe in works salvation themselves. One denomination teaches that