Does God Harden Hearts?

Throughout the New Testament, the Gospel is clearly announced. It declares that we are saved by faith and not by works. But did you know that James 2 seemingly contradicts this? That’s right. Three times in a row, the apostle James writes the phrase “justified by works”:“Was not Abraham our father justified by works…?” (v 21)“Was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works…?” (v 25)“You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone” (v 24)I’ve literally seen some people sweep these under the rug, acting like they don’t exist. I’ve seen others do mental gymnastics to say that James is talking about works after salvation. But clearly James is indeed referring to the kind of faith that saves a person.So, how do we resolve this seeming contradiction? Martin Luther went so far as to claim James should not be part of the Bible!Don’t worry. I believe there is a simple answer, and it’s perfectly consistent with us being justified by faith, not by good works. It has everything to do with James’ definition of “works” in the passage. You see, James is NOT talking about a laundry list of good works. Instead, he’s simply talking about a real response to the Gospel.When we open the door of our lives to Jesus (like Rahab opened the door!) or when we offer ourselves to God (like Abraham offered Isaac), then we are expressing living faith. This is exactly what Jesus meant when He said “the work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent” (John 6:29).Living faith is what sets us apart from nonbelievers. Remember, James says even the demons could pass a theology test! But your response to Jesus at salvation was more than accepting theological facts. You actually opened the door of your life to Christ and offered yourself to God. Now that’s living faith!In a recent call, I confronted head-on what “justified by works” means in James 2. Check out this clip and see how simple it is to resolve the “justified by works” dilemma when you recognize the living faith that saves!We hope you enjoyed this episode. Since we're a nonprofit organization, episodes like these are only made possible by friends like you. You can help us continue sharing God's message of grace with the world here: https://andrewfarley.org/donate/ Connect with Dr. Andrew Farley here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrAndrewFarley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drandrewfarley Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrAndrewFarley TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drandrewfarley Website: https://www.andrewfarley.org/

21 Syys 20239min

The concept of “dying to self” is a widely embraced belief in Christianity, suggesting an internal struggle between good and evil within believers. This teaching emphasizes the importance of eliminating the “negative” part of you that otherwise needs to be overcome daily.However, it’s worth noting that the phrase “die to self” does not actually appear in the Bible. The closest resemblance can be found in Jesus’ words, urging followers to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. Nevertheless, this statement pertains to the call for salvation rather than providing instructions for daily living. (At salvation, you followed Jesus into death as your old self was crucified with Christ.)As a Christian, your old self has already perished, eliminating the need for further dying. God loves the new version of you and considers you to be remarkable! In this episode, I explain to a caller that what God desires from you is not self-denial, but rather embracing and expressing your true self. In short, don’t deny yourself; be yourself!Enjoy this encouraging truth…We hope you enjoyed this episode. Since we're a nonprofit organization, episodes like these are only made possible by friends like you. You can help us continue sharing God's message of grace with the world here: https://andrewfarley.org/donate/ Connect with Dr. Andrew Farley here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrAndrewFarley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drandrewfarley Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrAndrewFarley TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drandrewfarley Website: https://www.andrewfarley.org/

14 Syys 202311min

When you go through seasons where God feels distant, you might think it’s because you did something wrong. A recent caller struggled with not sensing the Spirit and feared it was because she had backslid and wavered in her faith. She asked if doubting was apostasy and if she had lost her salvation.The good news for believers is the Spirit lives in you no matter what you feel. Your rightness with God isn’t based on the strength of your faith, how much time you spend in the Word, or whether you stumble or doubt.As I share in this episode, when you’re saved, you’re saved forever, and it’s because of God’s goodness, not your doing. You’ll find great encouragement when you focus on what He’s done and how He sees you!We hope you enjoyed this episode. Since we're a nonprofit organization, episodes like these are only made possible by friends like you. You can help us continue sharing God's message of grace with the world here: https://andrewfarley.org/donate/ Connect with Dr. Andrew Farley here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrAndrewFarley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drandrewfarley Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrAndrewFarley TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drandrewfarley Website: https://www.andrewfarley.org/

7 Syys 202310min

A popular religious teaching claims that if you have enough faith and believe hard enough, you’ll experience physical healing. It’s based on a belief that God’s will is for everyone to be healed.This teaching left a recent caller feeling at fault for not trusting God enough with her cancer diagnosis. Thankfully, she sensed something was off in her pastor’s guilt-inducing message.Whether it’s “name it and claim it,” trust more, or activate more faith, it’s a dead-end formula for healing, and it’s the last thing you need to hear when you’re sick. Instead, check out the healthier mindset I share in this video clip, and find comfort and contentment in times of trouble!We hope you enjoyed this episode. Since we're a nonprofit organization, episodes like these are only made possible by friends like you. You can help us continue sharing God's message of grace with the world here: https://andrewfarley.org/donate/ Connect with Dr. Andrew Farley here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrAndrewFarley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drandrewfarley Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrAndrewFarley TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drandrewfarley Website: https://www.andrewfarley.org/

31 Elo 202316min

Believers are saved by grace, but we’re also taught that pleasing God means walking in obedience. This might leave us wondering how to balance grace and obedience, or as a recent caller asked, where’s the “fine line” between the two?I loved this call, because it points to a more all-encompassing question: How can you live each day inspired by God’s grace?The answer starts with realizing true obedience is not about cranking out good behavior but about your motivation and focus along the way. Remember, without faith, it’s impossible to please God!Check out this episode and discover there is no fine line or “balancing” of grace and obedience. God’s grace is so enormous and inspiring, it’s what causes your obedience!We hope you enjoyed this episode. Since we're a nonprofit organization, episodes like these are only made possible by friends like you. You can help us continue sharing God's message of grace with the world here: https://andrewfarley.org/donate/ Connect with Dr. Andrew Farley here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrAndrewFarley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drandrewfarley Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrAndrewFarley TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drandrewfarley Website: https://www.andrewfarley.org/

24 Elo 202310min

Tithing is a common practice in many churches, but some leaders turn up the pressure by teaching we gain favor with God through our giving. Some even say you’re robbing God and committing a sin if you don’t tithe. A recent caller was struggling with guilt for not tithing to her church and asked if she was a thief who was stealing from the Lord, as her pastor suggested. So, is it a sin not to tithe? Actually, it’s a sin to tithe if we are giving from a law-based motivation rather than giving freely from the heart! And as I share in this episode, it’s also a sin to believe and teach that giving allows you to remain in good standing with God.We hope you enjoyed this episode. Since we're a nonprofit organization, episodes like these are only made possible by friends like you. You can help us continue sharing God's message of grace with the world here: https://andrewfarley.org/donate/ Connect with Dr. Andrew Farley here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrAndrewFarley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drandrewfarley Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrAndrewFarley TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drandrewfarley Website: https://www.andrewfarley.org/

17 Elo 20238min

When we’ve been hurt or wronged by others, certain emotions are only natural. And the more we dwell on these offenses, the more we may gravitate toward the thought of revenge. This was the case for a recent caller who asked for help.The healthy solution when someone hurts you is to forgive them, but that sometimes feels easier said than done, especially when they’re unwilling to acknowledge the damage they’ve inflicted on you.In this episode, I share what forgiving others looks like because of your new heart. You might be surprised that it’s not necessarily about being sweet, selfless, or even having to talk to them again. But when you discover the healthy way forward, you’ll be freed from those all-consuming and controlling thoughts, and you’ll find the peace you’re longing for!We hope you enjoyed this episode. Since we're a nonprofit organization, episodes like these are only made possible by friends like you. You can help us continue sharing God's message of grace with the world here: https://andrewfarley.org/donate/ Connect with Dr. Andrew Farley here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrAndrewFarley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drandrewfarley Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrAndrewFarley TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drandrewfarley Website: https://www.andrewfarley.org/

10 Elo 202312min

Can you lose your salvation? Can you walk away from God? Solid answers to these questions are essential!A recent caller had heard so many different answers from various churches and desperately needed clarity to find peace of mind.Fortunately, I had some great news to share. So check out these five compelling reasons why you can’t lose your salvation. These truths will enable you to celebrate and say with confidence, “I’m in Christ forever!”We hope you enjoyed this episode. Since we're a nonprofit organization, episodes like these are only made possible by friends like you. You can help us continue sharing God's message of grace with the world here: https://andrewfarley.org/donate/ Connect with Dr. Andrew Farley here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrAndrewFarley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drandrewfarley Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrAndrewFarley TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drandrewfarley Website: https://www.andrewfarley.org/

3 Elo 202310min