Free Grace Theology:

1. "Free Grace" theology teaches that we receive eternal life the moment we believe in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord. "Lord" refers to our belief that He is the Son of God and therefore, able to be our "Savior." "Faith" is viewed as a simple and uncomplicated response to the truth God has revealed about His Son, and the Gift which He offers. When Jesus says "Truly, Truly I say unto you, he who believes in Me has eternal life" (John 6:47 ), "Believe" means to be convinced and assured that what He says is true (See John 1:11-13 ).

2. "Free Grace" theology distinguishes between the "call to believe" in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and receiving His gift of eternal life, and the "call to follow" Him and become His disciples (See John 4 and compare what Jesus told the woman she needed in vs.10 with what He told His disciples they needed in vs. 31-38).

3. "Free Grace" theology stresses the believer’s assurance of salvation. It teaches that we can know we have eternal life and are going to heaven based on the very promise inherent in the offer itself (John 3:16 ; 5:24; 6:47). The Word of God becomes the basis of our assurance of salvation.

4. "Free Grace" theology teaches that real Christians can fall away, slide into serious sin, and utterly fail. (Consider the many warnings to Christians in the New Testament). Conceivably, Christians could even end up denying the Lord, if they continue forsaking the truth and hardening themselves to the work of the Spirit of God in their lives. Nevertheless, God does not forsake His children, but patiently disciplines them (1 Corinthians 10:30-32 ; Hebrews 6:1-12 ; 12:). And even if they are "faithless, yet He remains faithful," they will enter into eternal life (1 Timothy 2:11-13 ).

5. "Free Grace" theology sees the serious warnings and exhortations of the New Testament (from Jesus, Paul, the author of the book of Hebrews, James, and Peter) as encouragement to Christians to persevere in the faith and be faithful in doing good works. Christians soon realize in their walk with God, that to ignore these warnings and exhortations and persist in willful sin, incites Him to discipline His children. On the other hand, a mark of a maturing Christian is joy in doing what the Father asks, knowing that He delights in richly rewarding His children (Matthew 5:1-15 ; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 ; Hebrews 10:32 ).

6. "Free Grace" theology emphasizes the importance of persevering in doing good works for the Lord’s approval and reward (Matthew 5:1-12 ; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 ; 2 Corinthians 5:9-11 ). In addition to "crowns" of approval and appreciation, the reward will involve "reigning with Christ" and "inheriting the kingdom."

7. "Free Grace" theology sees a distinction between the New Testament expressions "entering the kingdom" and "inheriting the kingdom." Entering the kingdom means just that-to enter the kingdom of God. We enter the kingdom by a simple and uncomplicated faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior. "Inheriting the kingdom" means just that--to inherit, own, or possess the kingdom. Believers who have been faithful servants of Christ, enduring hardships, and persevering in good works are "joint heirs with Christ" of the Kingdom. What that means is that they will "reign with Christ," being given authority and power to share in the administration, leadership, and rule of His kingdom forever (see Romans 8:17 , 2 timothy 2:11-13 ; Revelation 2-3 ; 20 -22).

8. Most visibly in practice, those who are committed to "Free Grace" theology tend to emphasize Grace in their lives. God’s grace overwhelms and moves them, and grace is what they seek to express in the way they live. And when "Free Grace" people are at their worst, what they most often need is more grace.