Blog – Page 5 – Grace Evangelical Society

The Rapture and the Age of Accountability

Martin asks a question that deals with the Rapture but also applies to the gift of everlasting life:  The age of accountability is always mentioned when dealing with the death of a child or someone with mental disabilities.  In 1 Thess 4:17, does the harpazō [catching up, i.e., the Rapture] include those who have not

Run to Jesus

November 23, 2020 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - advocate, Mediator, Sin

When you’ve done something wrong, and you know you’ll be in trouble, the natural instinct is often to run and hide. That’s what the first sinners did after they committed the first sin and knew they’d be in trouble (i.e., that they would die!). So they tried to hide from God: And they heard the

Faith in Jesus for Salvation Versus Faith in God the Father for Salvation

November 20, 2020 by Bob Wilkin in Blog - faith in God the Father for salvation, John 5:24, Romans 4:24

Nikki asks a very important question: If one is saved by believing in Jesus, then why does Rom 4:24—“Now it [Gen 15:6] was not written for his sake alone that it [righteousness] was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our

You Get What You Give (Luke 6:27-38)

November 19, 2020 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - Judgment, Luke, Mercy, sermon on the plain

In Jesus’ sermon on the plain, He gives some extremely demanding commands: “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also.

J. Vernon McGee on Repentance and Salvation

November 18, 2020 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - back-loaded gospel, believing, Faith, J. Vernon McGee, Repentance, Salvation

Even the most gifted Bible teachers can sometimes preach a confusing saving message. For example, I’m sure most readers of this blog are familiar with Dr. J. Vernon McGee’s Thru the Bible commentary. I’ve been reading through his comments on Luke’s Gospel and found his remarks on Luke 3:8 to be confusing. “John’s message was

He Who Endures Will Be Saved (Matthew 24:13)

November 17, 2020 by Bob Wilkin in Blog - Eternal Security, Final Salvation, future salvation, Matthew 24:13, Perseverance of the Saints

John asks this quality question: “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved” (Matt 24:12-13). You may have commented on these verses before, but I couldn’t find it.  It seems to support the idea of the perseverance of the saints. I’ve recently

Persuading Church People about the Promise of Everlasting Life

November 16, 2020 by Bob Wilkin in Blog - Eternal Security, evangelism, saving faith, sharing the promise of everlasting life

A pastor asks a very important question: I have been extremely blessed by the ministry of GES and the clarity you all teach with. I recently held a class at my church about eternal security and assurance, and my question is, how do you converse and disciple church members who think that it’s not good

In Your Father’s Footsteps: Reflections on 1 Samuel

November 13, 2020 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - 1 Samuel, Eli, Jonathan, Samuel, Saul

As I read through 1 Samuel, I notice a pattern, or, better yet, the contrast between fathers and sons. Eli was a godly man, but his sons Hophni and Phinehas did not follow in their father’s footsteps. Unlike Eli, they were “corrupt” and “did not know the Lord” (1 Sam 2:12). They turned God’s sacrifices

The Love of Christ Compels Us (2 Corinthians 5:14)

November 12, 2020 by Bob Wilkin in Blog - 2 Corinthians 5:14, the love of Christ

Pastor Allen asks, “In 2 Cor. 5:14, is the ‘love of Christ’ that compels us the love that we have for Christ or the love that Christ has for us?” Super question. Both the options he mentions are possible grammatically. But Paul explains what he means when he adds, “because we judge thus: that if

I Just Do It Because I Love the Lord

November 11, 2020 by Kenneth Yates in Blog

Many times, when I talk to people about rewards in the world to come, they respond that such an idea is selfish. They usually add that we should obey the Lord and be faithful to Him because we love Him. That is motivation enough and is the only pure motive. I wish that I did