By Philippe R. Sterling A motive is “that which moves or induces a person to act in a certain way” (Oxford English Dictionary). In the context of the Christian life, what motive(s) could move a believer to live in obedience to Christ if eternal life is already assured? Jesus guarantees eternal life to all who […]

By Laurence M. Vance “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15). One characteristic of conservative Evangelicals and Baptists who are not adherents of Reformed theology is that they are Dispensationalists. This is especially true of Free Grace believers. […]

By Bob Wilkin* “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” We who believe in the freeness of the gospel may be uncomfortable with this verse. At least, we should be unless we’ve carefully considered what it is saying. After all, […]

By Zane C. Hodges *This article was first published in the July-August 1993 issue of Grace in Focus. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.—2 Corinthians 4:4 […]

By Ken Yates I conducted a very unscientific survey. What I found is that the most popular way of presenting the gospel today is for the speaker to tell unbelievers that Jesus will forgive them of their sins if they believe in Him. We find this gospel presentation in numerous tracts, in sermons, and even […]

By Marcia Hornok What could Ishmael–Abraham’s son by Sarah’s servant Hagar–and Abraham’s great-grandson, Joseph, possibly have in common? Since the Holy Spirit’s verbal inspiration is intentional, even small details are purposeful and, in this case, can show similarities between Ishmael and Joseph. AGE SEVENTEEN God wants us to know Joseph’s age when he was exiled […]

By Bob Wilkin1 James 2:14 begins with three words in Greek: ti to ophelos. Those three Greek words are found only one other time in the NT. Guess where? Two verses later James repeats those three words. Those words are translated in four different, but related, ways in the leading English translation: What does it […]

By Mike Lii Back when I was in high school, my church produced a video designed to encourage evangelism. The concluding scene of that video is burned into my memory. A young man was shown in tears and in relative darkness in order to represent his being in hell. He was looking at his friend—a […]

By Kathryn Wright Of all the passages in the NT, James 2:14-26 is the one we most frequently encounter in an adversarial way when we proclaim the message of grace. Sadly, many have fallen prey to works-based salvation due to popular misapplications of these verses. Because of these misunderstandings, if you teach that eternal life […]