By: Gary L. Hutchens The Apostle Paul learned a fundamental lesson through his Christian life experiences: “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phlp. 4:11-13).
By: Gary L. Hutchens For how long will God be merciful? How far does God’s mercy go? How can finite man answer such a question about an infinite God? The depth of God’s love is expressed in the statement “God is love” (1 Jn. 4:8, 16). God is the most succinct, the most comprehensive definition of “love.” It is beyond us, as finite beings, to fully understand God’s capacity to love? He is infinite.
By: Gary L. Hutchens After the first man and woman sinned and brought upon humanity the curse of sin, God prophesied that He would send His Son into the world to pay the price for the guilt of our sins (Gen. 3:15). The rest of the Old Testament points to the coming Savior. The four gospel accounts tell about the ministry of Jesus Christ while He was on this earth. The rest of the New Testament refers to His having brought the gospel message of salvation, His dying on the cross as the perfect sacrifice, and then points forward to the day He will come again to judge all mankind.
By: Gary L. Hutchens It’s probably fair to say that most people have a poor, or at least a very limited, understanding of God’s grace. It seems that most people equate grace almost exclusively with salvation. The connection is definite and profound, but that’s not all there is to God’s grace. Peter admonishes, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). How does a person grow in grace, and is it important to grow in grace?
By: Gary L. Hutchens Once saved, always saved! A whole lot of people in the denominational world believe that. Their belief is connected to a flawed understanding of God’s grace. Without question, we are saved “…by grace…through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9). We cannot save ourselves, nor can we earn our salvation. We are totally dependent upon God’s grace.
By: Gary L. Hutchens The apostle Paul wrote, “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.” (Eph. 2:8-9). We cannot save ourselves. It is totally, and only, by God’s grace that we can be saved. But, does God expect any response on our part to His offer to save us by His grace, and does our response have anything to do with our salvation?
By: Gary L. Hutchens God is good! One day, I received an email that included the statement, “God is good, all of the time.” That statement was more significant in that the email gave a report of a family member of the sender who had been diagnosed with cancer. The truth is, God is good all of the time! Even when things seem to be going badly for us, God is still good. Even when we pray to God for deliverance from a difficult situation, and His answer is “No” or “Wait awhile,” God is still good.
By: Gary L. Hutchens Numerous volumes have been written, countless sermons and Bible classes have been taught, and conversational references are continually made in reference to The Grace Of God. But what do we mean when we speak of God’s grace?
By: Gary L. Hutchens There may be no more important Bible topic than that of God’s grace. These days a great deal of emphasis is being given to teaching on the grace of God. Unfortunately, most of the emphasis seems to be very narrowly focused. As a result, much of what is being taught on the subject is short-sighted, some of it is outright wrong!
By: Gary L. Hutchens “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,” (Heb. 9:27). This succinct verse of scripture states two realities. First, unless the Lord comes again first, everyone is going to die a physical death. Second, and far more consequential, after death everyone will stand before our Lord in judgment. Death is certain, and the day of judgment is already appointed by God (Acts 17:30-31).
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