Paul Ellis's Blog, page 6

Reading the Bible with Humility

The number one reason why we have trouble growing in grace, is we don’t have a teachable heart. “Repent and believe the good news,” said Jesus. That’s not just for unbelievers; that’s for all of us.

Jesus is saying let go of what you used to believe and receive what the Lord wants to give you now.

Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning. (Proverbs 9:9)

The wise and the righteous are teachable. They hav...

How to Find a Grace Bible Church?

Back when I was a brand new pastor, there was one kind of phone call I got more than any other.

“Hi Paul, do you have the number for John (or Jane or Joe)?”

I thought people would ring me for counseling or to draw upon my wisdom. But most of the time they just wanted someone’s number. All those calls at all hours – it used to drive me bonkers.

“You know we have a church directory, right?”

“Yeah, but I lost it.”

I understand why people rang me. Being the pastor meant I was ...

Once Saved, Always Saved?

Ever broken a promise, failed to keep your word, or been late for an engagement?

Of course you have.

Now you know why many Christians are worried sick that they may disappoint God. After all, isn’t the Bible full of exhortations to hold fast, continue, and endure to the end?

Uncertainty is a faith-killer. If you are uncertain about your eternal position how can you trust God?

If the issue of your eternal security isn’t settled in your heart you’ll lie awake at night wondering...

Because of His Great Love

When I read a book in the Bible, I like to list my favorite verses and words in that book. As you may know, I spent much of the past year diving deep into Ephesians. My favorite words from Ephesians pretty much all came from this one verse:

But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us… (Ephesians 2:4).

It’s a small verse, easily missed. But it contains enough truth to change the world. I want to look at two words, three words, and then five words...

Out today: The Grace Bible – Ephesians

Ephesians may be the most important letter Paul ever wrote.

In this epic epistle Paul covers the full sweep of God’s plan to rescue you, restore creation, and reunite heaven and earth under one head.

Ephesians is packed with power and wisdom. It unveils mysteries and stirs our faith. It explains what God is doing and how he is doing it.

Ephesians answers important questions: What is truth? How do we find peace? How do we become more fully human? How do we have strong marriages,...

What is a Grace Bible Church?

I have visited hundreds of churches, and I have discovered that some churches may have “grace” in their name, but not in their DNA. They don’t provide what they’re advertising.

Which is a shame, because grace is what the world desperately needs.

Grace is Christianity’s defining characteristic. Grace is what separates us from every manmade religion and philosophy. By definition, every church has a measure of grace. It’s just that some dilute grace with other things. They mix grace w...

Is the Grace Bible the New Covenant Study Bible You’ve Been Waiting For?

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The “check engine” light had been showing on my dashboard, so last week I took my car in to get checked by the mechanic. Turns out my car has been running lean. Too much air and not enough gas was being injected into the engine.

I didn’t think that was a problem. Air’s a good thing, right? I’m saving the environment by burning less gas.

Apparently it’s not good at all. “You gotta get the balance right,” said the mechanic.

That got me thinking about what might happen if Christian...

Blessed With Every Blessing

Back in the 1980s, I smuggled Bibles into China. I can remember the tears of joy that Chinese believers shed had when they received their first Bibles. Until they got a Bible, Chinese believers mostly relied on copied bits of scripture.

Many of us take the Bible for granted. We don’t really read it. We skim our favorite bits and ignore the rest. If a scripture seems tricky or the language is archaic, we just skip ahead to something we understand.

Which is a shame, because Paul did ...

7 Reasons Why You Can’t Lose Your Salvation

If you are worried about losing your salvation, here’s a question: When you were born again, did you do it? Did you remake or re-create yourself? Did you somehow join yourself in spiritual union with the Lord?

You did none of those things.

You were born again, saved, sanctified, and put in Christ by the Holy Spirit (see John 3:5–6, Gal. 3:3, 2 Th. 2:13). God did it all.

Once upon a time, you were dead in your transgressions…

…but God, being rich in mercy, because of his gr...

Kept in Custody Under the Law

When you see the law mentioned in the Bible, what comes to mind? Perhaps you think “the law” = the Law of Moses.

If so, you may dismiss chunks of the New Testament as “not for me.” You might think, “The law was given to the Jews. I am not a Jew. This is not for me.”

And you would be mostly right. The law is not for you. We are under grace, not law. We died to the law, so that we might live for God.

But it would be a mistake to dismiss all those law passages as Jewish passages. C...