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Amazing Grace: It’s All You Need

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

Have you ever felt the weight of your mistakes, those things you wish you could take back? Imagine a debt so large you could never repay it. This is the situation we all find ourselves in when it comes to our wrongdoings, our sins, against God.

The good news is that there’s a solution, a way out that doesn’t depend on our ability to be “good enough.” It’s called grace, which means God’s undeserved kindness and favor towards us. It’s something freely given, even when we don’t deserve it.

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Think about John Newton, the writer of the famous hymn “Amazing Grace”. Before becoming a pastor, he was involved in the slave trade, a life marked by recklessness and immorality. But when faced with death during a storm at sea, he cried out to God. As he came to understand the gospel, the message of forgiveness through Jesus Christ, he was overwhelmed by God’s grace in forgiving his terrible sins. It was this profound experience that led him to write the words, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!”. The realization of his own deep sinfulness made God’s grace all the more astonishing.

Sadly, it seems many lose this sense of amazement. Perhaps it’s because we lose sight of how serious our sins truly are to God. Our wrong thoughts and hidden actions are just as significant as the more visible sins we might judge in others. We tend to put ourselves on a pedestal, thinking we are better than others.

Jesus once told a story that helps illustrate this. A man had two people who owed him money – one a large sum (500 denarii) and the other a much smaller amount (50 denarii). Neither could pay back what they owed, so the man freely forgave both debts. Jesus then asked which one would love him more, and the answer was clear: the one who had been forgiven more.

This story demonstrates how God’s grace works. Some might think their sins are small and therefore God’s forgiveness is not a big deal. But whether the debt is large or small, it’s still a debt. True appreciation and love for God come when we recognize the enormity of our sin and the incredible grace it takes for God to forgive us.

In Luke chapter 7, we read about a woman known as a sinner (understood to be a prostitute) who came to Jesus while he was eating at the house of a self-righteous religious leader named Simon, a Pharisee. She wept at Jesus’ feet, washed them with her tears and her hair, kissed them, and poured expensive perfume on them. Simon was disgusted, thinking that if Jesus knew what kind of woman this was, he wouldn’t allow her to touch him.

But Jesus knew Simon’s thoughts and told him the story of the two debtors. Then, turning to the woman, Jesus pointed out how Simon had failed to show common courtesy, while this woman had shown extravagant love and humility. Jesus then declared, “Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little” (Luke 7:47). He concluded by saying to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace” (Luke 7:50). It wasn’t her tears or the expensive oil that saved her, but her faith in Jesus.

Those who recognize their deep need for forgiveness are the ones who truly understand and appreciate God’s grace. The self-righteous, like Simon, feel little need for it.

The core message of the early followers of Jesus, like the Apostle Paul, was this incredible grace of God. When Paul first preached in places like Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra (cities in the region of Galatia), the message was clear: forgiveness of sins comes through Jesus, and by him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which he could not be justified by the law of Moses (Acts 13:38-39). The Gentiles who heard this were glad and believed. In Iconium, Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly about the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands (Acts 14:1-3). Even after facing opposition and persecution, they returned to these cities, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:20-22). They had preached the gospel of God’s grace.

However, Paul was shocked to hear that these very churches in Galatia were turning away from this message. They were being influenced by others who taught that following the Jewish Law was necessary for salvation, adding works to God’s grace. This is a perversion of the true gospel.

Paul’s reaction was strong. He wrote in his letter to the Galatians: “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:6-7). He even issued a stark warning: “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8-9).

Paul was so firm because his understanding of the gospel didn’t come from human teaching but directly from Jesus Christ himself. He said, “But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:11-12).

The danger of adding anything to God’s grace for salvation is that it diminishes the sufficiency of what Jesus Christ has already done. It suggests that His sacrifice alone wasn’t enough. The truth is, we have a debt we could never repay, the debt of our sins. Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, came and paid that debt for us through his death on the cross. He lived a perfect life so that His righteousness could be given to us. We have nothing to offer God to earn our forgiveness.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).

This doesn’t mean that good works are unimportant. In fact, the Bible goes on to say, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10 – not explicitly cited but related concept). When we are truly saved by grace through faith, our lives will be transformed, and we will naturally want to do good works as a response to God’s love. But these works are a result of salvation, not the cause of it.

The message is clear: salvation is a free gift from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ. It is not earned by our efforts or good deeds. We cannot add anything to the perfect sacrifice of Jesus. Our focus should be on trusting in His grace alone. This amazing grace is what sets us free from the consequences of our sins and offers us eternal life. Let us never lose our amazement at this incredible gift.

Understanding the Good News of Jesus: Insights from Galatians

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JEFF TURNER

The good news about Jesus is something special. It comes from God and helps people grow in their faith. A letter in the Bible, the book of Galatians, talks about this good news. This letter was written a long time ago by Paul, a person chosen by Jesus to spread the word.

Paul wrote to churches in a place called Galatia. These were churches that Paul had started. He really cared about these churches, but he heard that some people were teaching something different from what he had taught them. This different teaching was that believing in Jesus wasn’t enough. People also needed to do good things, like following old rules, to be right with God.

Paul wanted the people in Galatia to know that this wasn’t the real good news. He said that he was an apostle, not chosen by people, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who brought Jesus back to life. Paul explained that he wasn’t made an apostle by a group of people picking him. Instead, God himself chose him in a special way to tell others about Jesus. Paul said that the message he preached came from Jesus himself.

Paul was not the only one who believed this good news. He said that other believers who were with him also shared the same message. When Paul went to Jerusalem to talk to the other important apostles, like Peter and John, they agreed that the good news Paul was sharing was true. They gave Paul and his friend Barnabas their support to go and tell the Gentiles (people who were not Jewish) about Jesus.

The good news is about God’s grace and peace. Paul said, “Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen”. Grace is like a free gift from God. We don’t earn it by doing good things; God gives it to us because he loves us. This grace brings us peace with God.

Paul made it clear that we are made right with God by believing in Jesus, not by doing good works or following rules. He said that if we could be saved by our own efforts, then Jesus wouldn’t have needed to die for us. The Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord”. Our sins deserve punishment, but God offers us eternal life as a free gift through Jesus.

Paul also said, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them”. This means that God saves us through his kindness, and we receive this by believing in Jesus. It’s not because of anything good we have done so that we can’t brag about it. Instead, God made us to do good things, which he has already planned for us.

Paul warned the Galatians about turning to a different message that said they needed to do certain things to be saved. He said this was not the true good news. The law was given to show people that they couldn’t perfectly follow God’s rules and that they needed Jesus.

Paul wanted the Galatians to remember the good news he first told them: that Jesus gave himself to save us from our sins and from this bad world, because that was God’s plan. This is why Paul gave glory to God forever. He knew that our salvation is all because of what God has done for us through Jesus.

The Christian Life of Repentance: A Lifelong Journey

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

Repentance is a vital aspect of the Christian life, a continuous grace that shapes our walk with God. It’s more than just saying sorry; it’s a deep and transformative process rooted in God’s love and our response to it. Let’s explore some key facets of this essential Christian grace.

True Repentance is Supernatural. It’s not something we can conjure up on our own but is a gift from God, much like faith. Acts 11:18 tells us that upon hearing Peter’s explanation of preaching to the Gentiles, the believers in Jerusalem “glorified God, saying, ‘Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.'” This demonstrates that repentance is a gift of God’s grace.

Furthermore, repentance is a necessary part of the gospel. Paul, in his farewell address to the Ephesian elders, testified that he taught both Jews and Greeks about “repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). He considered this a crucial part of declaring “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). Repentance is not within our own power but is granted by God. 2 Timothy 2:25-26 tells us we should correct opponents “if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth.”

True Repentance Separates Us From Sin. It involves seeing sin from God’s perspective and consequently hating it, even when we stumble. Biblical repentance isn’t just about ceasing sinful behavior; it’s about replacing it with proper, godly behavior. Ephesians 4:23-24 encourages us to “be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God in true righteousness and holiness.” This principle is illustrated further in the passage. Instead of lying, we should “speak the truth” (Ephesians 4:25). Similarly, someone who has stolen should “steal no more, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give to those in need” (Ephesians 4:28). Instead of corrupt talk, we should use words that build others up (Ephesians 4:29). Negative emotions like bitterness, wrath, anger, and malice should be “put away,” and in their place, we should be “kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).

True Repentance is Deep and Serious. It’s not a superficial display but a genuine sorrow, often a private matter between an individual and God. While there may be times for restitution or public acknowledgment, the core of true repentance lies in a sincere change of heart. Spirituality isn’t measured by outward sadness but by positive actions.

True Repentance Sees Sin as Sin. The Apostle Paul, looking back on his life before his conversion, recognized the gravity of his actions in persecuting Christians. He stated, “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison… And when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them” (Acts 26:9-10). Paul didn’t excuse or minimize his sin; he saw it for the terrible thing it was.

True Repentance is Universal. It doesn’t selectively address certain sins while ignoring others. True repentance hates all sin and seeks to be cleansed from every wrongdoing. We must not make peace with any sin but strive to see it as God does.

True Repentance is Lasting. While Christians will still sin, they will never stop repenting. Even though all our sins are forgiven in Christ, this shouldn’t lead to a careless attitude toward sin. A life of repentance fosters humility, reminding us of our dependence on God and the saving power of Jesus Christ’s blood. The Apostle Paul’s experience in Romans 7 reflects this ongoing struggle with imperfection and the constant need to look to Christ.

True Repentance is Attended With Godly Fruit. Repentance is not a solitary act but is evidenced by changes in our behavior. John the Baptist preached a message of repentance, urging people to “bear fruits in keeping with repentance” (Luke 3:8) A truly repentant person will be humble, holy, and will reject alliances with sin, looking to Jesus Christ for strength and forgiveness.

The Christian life is a journey marked by both faith and repentance. It’s a continuous turning away from sin and toward God, fueled by His grace and evidenced by a transformed life.

Just Jesus: Why Faith Alone Still Matters

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

Have you ever felt like being a good person just isn’t enough? Or maybe you thought that following Jesus meant adding a whole list of rules to your life? You’re not alone

The early church in Galatia faced a challenge. Some believers with Jewish backgrounds, known as Judaizers, were telling new Gentile (non-Jewish) Christians that believing in Jesus wasn’t enough. They insisted that these new believers also needed to follow Jewish customs like circumcision and dietary laws. It was like saying, “Yes, follow Jesus, but also…”.

This “Jesus plus something else” mentality still exists today. Maybe it’s the idea that you have to give a certain amount of money, dress a certain way, or follow specific rules to be truly accepted by God. But the Apostle Paul, who wrote the letter to the Galatians, strongly disagreed with this.

He starts his letter with a bit of a strong statement, calling the Galatians “Oh foolish Galatians!”. He reminds them that they initially received the Holy Spirit not by doing good works or following the law, but by “hearing with faith”. He asks, “Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?”.

Paul uses the example of Abraham from the Old Testament to illustrate his point. In Genesis 12:1-4, God tells Abram (later Abraham) to leave his home and go to a land God would show him. Abram obeyed, not knowing exactly where he was going. And what was Abraham’s key to being right with God? “Abram believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”. Paul reiterates this in Galatians 3:6: “just as Abraham ‘believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.'” Like Abraham, we who came after Jesus are also saved by faith in God. Faith is what God requires for salvation.

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in our faith journey. As Paul writes in Ephesians 1:13: “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel, and believed in him, were sealed with the Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”. The Spirit is promised to all who have faith. This same Spirit empowers believers today to serve and live for God.

The message in Galatians shows us a fundamental truth: the law cannot bring salvation; the law can only bring a curse. Paul quotes Deuteronomy when he says, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them”. James 2:10 further clarifies this: “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.”. Since no one can perfectly follow all the laws, relying on them leads to a curse.

But there’s good news! Jesus broke the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. Paul writes in Galatians 3:13: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.'”. Jesus, who was without sin, took our punishment so that we could be made right with God.

We all need to live by faith in all aspects of life. Just as salvation comes through faith in Jesus, so does our growth and service to God. It’s not about earning God’s favor through our efforts, but about trusting in what Jesus has already done for us. Are you living a life according to faith? It’s a question worth asking yourself today.

Saved and Surrendered or Selfish?Acts 8:5-24

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JEFF TURNER

The story in Acts 8:5-24 presents a striking contrast between true salvation and selfish ambition. It begins with Philip bringing the gospel to Samaria following persecution in Jerusalem. As he preached Christ, many believed, and miracles confirmed the power of God. The people rejoiced, but as history shows, whenever God moves, Satan seeks to counterfeit His work. One such deception came through Simon, a sorcerer who had long held influence over the people. They believed he had divine power, yet his miracles were born of deception, not truth.

Simon appeared to believe in Jesus. He was baptized and followed Philip, captivated by the signs and wonders. However, belief alone is not enough—many profess faith, yet their hearts remain unchanged. Jesus Himself warned that not all who say, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21-23).

The arrival of Peter and John in Samaria marked a significant moment. As they laid hands on the believers, imparting the Holy Spirit, Simon’s true motives were exposed. He saw this power and desired it—not to glorify God, but for his own ambition. Offering money, he attempted to purchase what only God freely gives. Peter rebuked him sharply: “Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money” (Acts 8:20). Instead of genuine repentance, Simon sought only to avoid consequences, revealing his unchanged heart.

Consider these verses a warning: true salvation is not about power, experiences, or outward displays. It is about humble surrender to Christ, trusting in His finished work on the cross. Many pursue religion for personal gain, but Jesus calls us to a relationship with Him. Satan may counterfeit miracles, but he cannot counterfeit a transformed heart. The challenge for every believer is to ask: Have we truly surrendered to Christ, or are we merely seeking blessings?

If you are unsure of your salvation, remember that Jesus alone is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Faith in Him brings true transformation, not just outward change but a renewal of the heart. In a world filled with spiritual deception, we must hold fast to our faith, love one another sincerely, and remain steadfast in Christ.