Paul Ellis – Page 42

E2R’s 12th Birthday and our Biggest Giveaway Ever!

February 4, 2022 by Paul Ellis

Today is Escape to Reality’s 12th anniversary. To celebrate we’re having our BIGGEST GIVEAWAY ever!

For the next two days you can get one, two, or seven of my books for a special pandemic pay-whatever-you-want price.

Which means you can get all the books below for nothing!

In addition, you can also get two of my most popular Jesus Scripts for a special pay-whatever-you-want price:

(Jesus Scripts are a great way to do family devotionals or online church. Check them out!)

To get a book click on a cover:

This offer is good until Sunday night, so be quick and tell your friends.

As always, thanks for sharing the journey,

Paul

PS: Did you know we have given away more than 50,000 books so far? Giveaways like these are possible thanks to our awesome supporters on Patreon or Donorbox.

What is the Law in the Bible?

February 1, 2022 by Paul Ellis

Pop question: When Jesus said, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are gods’?” what law was he referring to? Was he referring to the Law of Moses or some other law?

If you answered the Law of Moses, you are mistaken. Go to the back of the class, and see me after school.

Jesus was not quoting Moses but Psalm 82:6. When Jesus said “your law” in John 10:34 he was referring to the Hebrew Scriptures a.k.a. the Old Testament.

What is the law in the Bible? Usually “the law” refers to the Law of Moses, but not always. There is also the law of Christ, the law of liberty, the law of sin, the law of faith, and more.

If we are going to talk about the law, we need to know which law we are talking about. Otherwise you might have a conversation like this:

You: “Romans says we are not under law but grace.”
Them: “That is referring to the ceremonial ordinances only. We still need to keep the Ten Commandments.”
You: “Huh?”

Did you know the Bible lists at least twelve types of law? Here they are:

1. The Law of Moses

The Law of Moses refers to the Ten Commandments plus the 600 or so ordinances, punishments, and ceremonial observances given to the nation of Israel through Moses (Jos. 8:31, John 1:17, 7:19). This law is sometimes referred to as the law of commandments (Eph. 2:15) or the law of the Jews (Acts 25:8).

2. The law of God / the law of the Lord

The law of God has a double meaning, depending on which covenant you are under. In the old covenant, the Jews referred to the Law of Moses as the law of God (Jos. 24:26, Neh. 8:8) or the law of the Lord (Ex. 13:9). However, the law codified by Moses was but a shadow of a new covenant reality (Heb. 10:1).

In the new covenant, the law of God is synonymous with the word of God. The word of God is the way by which God makes himself and his will known. When Paul said he delighted in the law of God (Rom. 7:22), he meant he took pleasure in obeying God the Father. He was not referring to the Law of Moses.

3. The royal law

The royal law is to love your neighbor as yourself (Jas. 2:8). This commandment, which comes straight out of the Law of Moses (see Lev. 19:18), is the king of laws because loving others fulfils all the other laws (Rom. 13:8-9, Gal. 5:14). In context it means treat people with dignity, even if they are poor (Jas. 2:1, 5). Don’t show favoritism.

4. The golden rule

The golden rule is Jesus’ version of the royal law: do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Luke 6:31).

5. The greatest commandment

Jesus was asked to name the first and greatest commandment in the law. Jesus replied, “To love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matt. 22:36–38).

Note that this is the greatest commandment in the Law of Moses. Under the law-keeping covenant, the flow was from you to the Lord (Deut. 6:5, 10:12). You loved God because it was a law that came with consequences. But in the new covenant of grace, we love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). This brings us to…

6. The law of Christ

The law of Christ (1 Cor. 9:21, Gal. 6:2) is the Lord’s command to “love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34).

The law of Christ is both a new commandment and a new kind of commandment (1 John 2:8, 2 John 1:5). We don’t love others because we fear God’s punishment; we love because we have received his love. As with everything in the new covenant, love starts with God, and as we receive from the abundance of the Father’s love we find ourselves loving others (1 John 4:19).

7. The law of the Spirit of life

The law of the Spirit of life refers to the rule or government of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:2). It is being led by the Spirit instead of walking after the flesh (Rom. 6:14, 18). When we yield to the life-giving Spirit, we reap abundant life (Rom. 8:13).

8. The law of sin

The law of sin refers to the rule or influence of sin (Rom. 7:23, 25). In the same way that a sheriff is the law in a small town, the world is in thrall to the rule of sin (Rom. 6:14, 20). The fruit of sin is death which is why the law of sin is also called the law of sin and death (Rom. 8:2).

Although Christians have been freed from sin (Rom. 6:7), they subject themselves to the law of sin whenever they walk after the old ways of the flesh (Rom. 6:16). One way they do this is by putting themselves under the yoke of law (Gal. 5:3–5). The law is not sin, but keeping the law requires no faith and anything that is not of faith is sin (Rom. 14:23, Gal. 3:12).

9. The law of righteousness

The law of righteousness refers to the so-called righteousness that comes from observing the Law of Moses (Rom. 10:5, Php. 3:6, 9). Such a righteousness is not true righteousness because it is not based on faith (Gal. 3:11–12).

No one was ever justified or made righteous through their observance of the law (Rom. 9:31). If righteousness could be obtained through the law, Christ died for nothing (Gal. 2:21).

10. The law of faith

The law of DIY righteousness can be distinguished from the law of faith which says we are justified by faith without regard for our works (Rom. 3:27–28).

11. The law of liberty

The law of liberty is another name for the word that can save you (Jas 1:21, 25), which is Jesus, the Living Word of God who sets us free. The law of liberty describes what Jesus has done (perfectly fulfilled or completed the law) and the fruit he will bear in our lives (liberty) if we trust him.

The perfect law that gives freedom, can be contrasted with the Law of Moses that binds (Rom 7:6, Jas. 1:25). Look into the mirror of Moses’ Law and you will be miserable, for it exposes all your faults. But look into the perfect law which is Jesus and you will be blessed, for it reveals his righteousness.

12. The law written on the hearts

The law written on the hearts is two different things. When Paul speaks of the godless Gentiles having a law written in their hearts, he is referring to our consciences (Rom. 2:14–15). Your conscience is a kind of law-based religion that tells you right from wrong and condemns you when you violate those standards (Rom. 2:15).

But the Bible mentions another law that God writes on the hearts and minds of his children (Heb. 8:10, 10:16). This law is not the knowledge of right and wrong, nor is it the Law of Moses. When Jeremiah the prophet said that those who had the new law written on their hearts would know the Lord, he was referring to the indwelling Spirit (a.k.a. the law of the Spirit of life) and the believer’s union with Christ (Jer. 31:33–34).

The law written by God into your heart is Jesus. It is the seed of God birthed in you by the Holy Spirit.

What is the law in the Bible? There are many laws and many kinds of laws. Some of the laws found in the Bible are old covenant laws, meaning they come with penalties for non-compliance, while other laws are new covenant laws, meaning they describe the life that is ours in Christ.

Law versus grace

When Paul said “you are not under law but grace,” he was referring to any old covenant-type law that says you must do things to earn God’s favor. If you have been told you must confess, tithe, serve, or pray to be blessed, that’s the kind of law that has no place in the new covenant. Every blessing comes to us by grace alone.

Some say the church needs a healthy respect for the law. If we are talking about the Ten Commandments or the royal law or any law that hinges on your ability to keep it, then I disagree. Rely on your own law-keeping ability, and you’ll end up fallen from grace. You will cut yourself off from Christ.

But if we are talking about the law of Christ or the law of faith or the law of liberty, then I heartily agree, for these sorts of laws lead us to rely on the grace of God.

In this article I listed the different laws in the Bible. In the Bonus Content (available now on Patreon), I talk about different commandments along with the rules of religion. I also respond to questions such as who is the law for? And how do we fulfill the law?

What is the Law of Christ?

January 26, 2022 by Paul Ellis

There are many laws in the Bible. There is the Law of Moses and the Law of God. There is the law of sin and the law of faith. There is the law of righteousness and the law of liberty. But what is the law of Christ?

If you don’t know the law of Christ – and many people don’t – you’ll be susceptible to those who preach law.

“The law of Christ is the Biblical law. It’s loving the Lord your God with all your heart.”

No, no, no.

The Law of Moses and the Ten Commandments are not the Law of Christ. This is:

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. (John 13:34)

Jesus did not come to give us an old law but a new one, and a life-giving one at that. The law of Christ is love one another, as I have loved you.

I’m sure you have read this commandment before, but do you realize what it means?

“It means I’m supposed to be a good Christian and love other people as I love myself.”

No, that’s not what it means. To love your neighbor as yourself is the royal law of the old covenant. It’s an old commandment but Jesus is preaching a new commandment.

A new commandment

What is the law of Christ? The law of Christ is both a new law and a new kind of law. It’s a new law for a new creation. What is new about it? These five words:

…as I have loved you.

Under the old, you loved others as yourself and if you didn’t have it in you to love others, perhaps because they hurt you, then you were a lawbreaker. But in the new, we receive the love of God and out of the overflow of that love we are empowered to love others.

See the difference?

Under the old, you provided the love, but in the new God supplies all our needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Love one another

The Apostle John was familiar with the Law of Christ:

This is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. (1 John 3:11)

John heard the message from Jesus. He called it “his commandment” (1 John 3:23) or a “new commandment” (1 John 2:8). We don’t love one another to become the children of God; we love because we are the children of the God-who-is-love (1 John 4:8). As we receive our Father’s unqualified love, are we able to love others with the same abandon.

How do we love one another? Not through empty chatter and Facebook likes, but by caring and carrying each other in our troubles:

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)

Because Jesus carries you, you can carry others. Because Christ is with you in your trial, you can be with others in theirs. Because Christ has forgiven you, you can forgive others.

As Christ loved you

If you have been in church for any length of time, you have probably be told to love your neighbor as yourself. This command may even be hanging on your wall. If so, take it down immediately.

The command to love others as you love yourself is a death-dealing dictate. It will either feed your pride (look how loving I am!) or minister condemnation (I can’t love that sinner).

If you’ve been badly hurt, you will know how unreasonable it is to be told to love and forgive the one who hurt you. You’ll try to forgive them, but some things are just too hard.

There is a better way. Bring the broken pieces of your heart to Jesus and let him heal you. Tell him how bad it hurts. Receive his unconditional love and find rest in his arms.

Then as you begin your journey back to wholeness, pray for the one who hurt you. If you have no words to say, allow the Spirit of grace to guide you.

As you receive from the abundance of your Father’s love you will be healed, made whole, and empowered to love those who have wronged you.

What is the law of Christ? The law of Christ is the power of God that brings healing and restoration to all who receive his love. It is the grace to be loved and to love others in return.

In my next article I will list all the types of laws in the Bible. If you have wondered about the different laws, you won’t want to miss that one.

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What is the Royal Law?

January 24, 2022 by Paul Ellis

What is the royal law? Do you need to keep it and what happens if you don’t?

If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. (James 2:8)

What is the royal law? It is the commandment to love others as you love yourself.

It sounds terrific. It isn’t. But first…

What makes this law a royal law?

Why is the command to love your neighbor a royal law? It is not a royal law because Jesus invented it. He didn’t. This law comes straight out of the Law of Moses:

You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Lev. 19:18)

Nor is it a royal law because Jesus put his kingly seal of approval on it. Jesus mentioned this law on occasion (Matt. 19:19), but he spoke about other laws as well. He never said this one was particularly special, and he even added to it (see Matt. 5:43–44).

Nor is it a royal law in the sense that this law should rule you like a king. We are not under law.

So what makes the love-your-neighbor law a royal law? It is the king of laws because loving others fulfills all the other laws.

For the whole law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Gal. 5:14)

Keep this one law and you will keep all the laws.

So far so good.

The royal law in James 2

Go back to James and notice the if at the start of that verse.

James is making a conditional statement. If you keep this law, you are doing well. Conditional statements are a hallmark of old covenant law and that’s what James is preaching here. In context, he is preaching the second commandment to law-loving Jewish people.

James: “Hey, it’s great if you love your neighbor, but if you are discriminating against poor people, you’re a law-breaker” (see Jas. 2:9–10).

Does this royal law have any relevance for us? It has none at all, for we are not under law but grace. We are to be led by the indwelling Spirit rather than ruled by external laws.

In the new covenant, we don’t love our neighbors because it’s a law but because God loves us and out of the overflow of his love for us we are able to love others.

But what about this verse:

He who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. (Rom. 13:8)

There are two ways to read this. An old covenant mindset says, I had better love my neighbor so I can fulfill the law. But a new covenant mindset reads it as written. When we love others, we fulfill the law.

Which brings us to the most important question of all.

How do I love my neighbor?

How do I love my neighbor who voted for the wrong party?

How do I love my Muslim neighbor, my gay neighbor, or my vaxxed/unvaxxed neighbour?

And that’s just for starters. Jesus raised the bar when he said I must also love my enemies. How do I do that?

How do I love the jerk who bankrupted my business?

How do I love the adulterer who wrecked my marriage?

How do I love the drunk who killed my child?

How do you love the unlovable? The royal law can’t help you. It simply says you must love them as yourself.

Good luck with that.

Under the old covenant, you provided the love and whatever else was needed to fulfil the law, and if you couldn’t do it, you were condemned as a law-breaker.

Do you see how unfair this is?

Someone destroys your family or your business, and the law says you cannot pursue vengeance or bear a grudge, but you must love them as yourself.

It’s like trying to walk on water.

A new law

Like any old covenant law, the royal law is brutal and merciless. It demands that you do the impossible and condemns you when you fail.

Thank God for Jesus who gives us a new law for a new creation. Thank God for the law of Christ which says this:

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. (John 13:34)

Jesus does not say “Love others as you love yourself.” He says, “Receive my love and out of the overflow of that love, you will be empowered to love others.”

It is a brand new kind of law and a brand new way to live.

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What is the Difference Between Mercy and Grace?

January 19, 2022 by Paul Ellis

What is mercy and how does it relate to grace? Is mercy the same as grace, or is it something different?

Some people miss grace because they think it grace = mercy. They don’t understand the difference.

“I need mercy.

“Thank you, Lord, for your mercy.

“Now that I have mercy, I’m satisfied.”

And they miss out on the full riches of God’s grace.

What is grace? Grace is the full expression of God’s love for us, but for the sake of keeping things simple, let’s say grace is God’s undeserved favor.

And what is mercy? Mercy is showing compassion towards those in need. Mercy is Jesus healing the blind and delivering the oppressed. Mercy is God forgiving our debts. Mercy is God responding to our cries of distress:

Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me: Lord, be thou my helper. (Ps. 30:10)

If you are in trouble, mercy is what you need. The good news is that God is as rich in mercy as he is in grace. He freely offers his mercy to all for he is the God of all grace and the Father of all mercies (2 Cor. 1:3, 1 Pet. 5:10).

Are mercy and grace the same?

There are some interesting comparisons between mercy and grace in scripture:

We are saved by grace (Eph. 2:5), and we are saved by mercy (Tit. 3:5)
We are forgiven by grace (Eph. 1:7), and we are forgiven by mercy (Ex. 34:6-7, Ps. 86:5, Matt. 18:33, Luke 1:77-78, Heb. 2:17, 8:12)
Just as we receive grace (Rom. 5:17), we receive mercy (2 Cor. 4:1, 1 Pet. 2:10)
Just as God’s grace is greater than our sin (Rom. 5:20), his mercy triumphs over judgment (Jas. 2:13)

These similarities lead some to conclude that mercy is synonymous with grace. Yet mercy can be distinguished from grace.

How does grace differ from mercy?

Mercy is not reaping what you have sown; grace is reaping what Jesus has sown.

Mercy takes you out of Egypt; grace takes you into the Promised Land.

Mercy forgave the prodigal son; grace threw him a party.

Mercy fed Ruth the refugee; grace gave her a husband.

Mercy forgave the penitent tax collector; grace sent him home justified before God.

Mercy forgave the thief on the cross; grace took him to paradise.

Mercy is not getting what you deserve, while grace is getting what you don’t deserve.

See the difference? Mercy is great – thank God for mercy! – but grace is even better.

Two angels: Mercy and Grace

Where do we find mercy? In the same place we find grace:

Let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb. 4:16)

Mercy and grace are like two mighty angels bringing the lost to the Father’s house. They’re a tag team. Mercy goes into the darkest places of the world searching for the broken and the downcast. Mercy gathers the lost in his arms and carries them home to the Father.

At the gate stands the other mighty angel. Grace heals the broken, cleanses the sinner, and clothes the naked, making them fit for the Father’s feast. Thanks to Mercy and Grace, even the worst of us are welcome at the Father’s table.

A bit far-fetched, you say? Well think back to what happened to you.

You came to God on account of some need. Maybe you were sick, lost, hurting, or in despair. Maybe you were fed up or worn out, but Mercy found you and all was well.

But wait, who was standing behind Mercy? There was Grace holding your new robes of righteousness, offering you your Father’s ring, and inviting you to come to the table.

Mercy is what you wanted; Grace is what you got. Never forget that.

Mercy vs grace

God’s goodness is revealed in his great mercy. Whatever your need today, come to his throne and receive mercy.

But don’t stop there, for God’s goodness is greater than you know. Receive his mercy and see what else he offers besides – his grace!

Mercy pays the bills; grace blesses us with an abundance.

Mercy delivers you from servitude; grace adopts you as a son.

Mercy clears your debts; grace makes you a co-heir with Christ.

If you have a great need today, thank God for his abundant grace and mercy!

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If you liked this, you will love Paul’s new Grace Glossary. Learn the language of the new covenant by discovering the treasures hidden within words like grace, faith, and forgiveness.

What Does 1 Peter 3:7 Mean?

January 16, 2022 by Paul Ellis

A man recently asked me about a troubling verse. “My wife says my prayers are hindered because I don’t respect her enough.” He was referring to this verse:

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. (1 Peter 3:7)

What does it mean to hinder your prayers? Here is the wrong answer: “God doesn’t listen to jerks.”

The good news is that God does hear the honest prayers of jerks and crooks and thieves and sinners (see Luke 18:14). If you see yourself as a bad husband or a bad wife, rest assured your heavenly Father hears you when you call to him. Our sin does not hinder our prayers.

How do we hinder our prayers?

When I was asked that question, I was stumped. It wasn’t a question I had thought about, but I probably should have since I am a husband.

What can I do to my wife that might hinder my prayers?

Immediately, the Lord brought a picture to my mind that helped me understand this verse. His revelation showed me exactly how husbands (or wives or anyone) can hinder their prayers.

But before I took it any further, I wanted to check what other commentators said about hindered prayers to confirm that I was on the right track. Guess what – they said nothing. I went to all my favorite guys and found they were silent on the subject of hindered prayers.

So I feel very blessed to give you what the Lord has given me, a little insight you will not find anywhere else. (Of course I could be wrong and this verse is so obvious that you already know what I’m going to say about hindered prayers. If so, come back next week. It’ll be better, I promise.)

The weaker partner

In this egalitarian age you won’t hear many men describe their wives as “the weaker partner.” But to the religious mind of the first century, women were considered weaker or inferior in many ways, and this mindset was reflected in the limited participation of women in the Temple and synagogue.

Then Jesus came and made friends with all kinds of women – not just the nice sort of women that you’d take home to meet your mother, but the sort of women that God-fearing men should never talk to.

Jesus taught women (Luke 10:39). He took women with him on ministry trips (Luke 8:1-3). He reached out to women with bad reputations, like the woman at the well (John 4:7). In contrast with the prevailing attitudes of the day Jesus empowered women, and this had a profound effect on the early church:

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Gal 3:28)

When we go to church today we think nothing of women and children participating in the service, but in the first century this would have been offensive to the religious mind. And this brings us to the bit about hindered prayers.

How do we hinder our prayers?

Paul said husbands and wives are co-heirs with Christ, and Peter says the same thing here: “Treat them with respect… as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life.”

Do you see your spouse as a co-heir of grace? Or do you see them as inferior? What about your children and neighbors? What about the person of another race or culture? Are they equal in grace or are they inferior?

If you see others as equal in grace, then you are walking in grace. However, if you see yourself as superior in some way, then you are not walking in grace and your prayers will be hindered. This brings me to the picture that I mentioned earlier:

Before he met the Lord of grace, the apostle Paul was a Pharisee and he would’ve prayed the prayer on the left (source: Encyclopedia Talmudit, Vol.4, Jerusalem 1956, p.371). This is a prideful prayer. Pray like this and you will hinder your prayers.

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Pet 5:5)

Whose prayers are hindered? It is those who boast, “Thank you God that I am not like other people” (Luke 18:11). It is those who see themselves as better than others. It is those who sacrifice people on the altar of their convictions. Such people have trouble receiving grace because they don’t see their need for it. Their pride hinders their prayers.

Religion kills grace and hinders prayers. Performance-based religion says if you deliver the goods – if you avoid sin and behave yourself – you’ll get a direct line to God. It’s not true! All you’ll get is a mirror for admiring yourself. “I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get” (Luke 18:12).

Do you really think God is impressed with your sacrifice when you are not impressed with his?

God doesn’t bless us in accordance with our output but in accordance with the riches of his grace. This is why religious superstars are often further from God’s grace than tax collectors and prostitutes (Matt 21:31).

How do we un-hinder our prayers?

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. (1 Pet 3:8)

It’s easy to be humble with the Lord, but Peter exhorts us to be humble with each other: wives to husbands, husbands to wives. To quote CS Lewis, humility isn’t thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less. It is having a Biblical view of women and being compassionate and loving one another. This is a key for receiving God’s grace, because grace flows to us through people.

Want more grace in your marriage? Thank God that he has blessed you with a partner in grace.

Want more grace in your family? Thank him for your kids who are co-heirs in Christ.

Want more grace in your church? Then “clothe yourselves with humility toward one another,” and praise him for surrounding you with such towering testimonies of grace.

Who are you thanking God for today?

___________

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What Does 1 Peter 3:7 Mean?

January 16, 2022 by Paul Ellis

A man recently asked me about a troubling verse. “My wife says my prayers are hindered because I don’t respect her enough.” He was referring to this verse:

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. (1 Peter 3:7)

What does it mean to hinder your prayers? Here is the wrong answer: “God doesn’t listen to jerks.”

How do we hinder our prayers?

When I was asked that question, I was stumped. It wasn’t a question I had thought about, but I probably should have since I am a husband.

What can I do to my wife that might hinder my prayers?

Immediately, the Lord brought a picture to my mind that helped me understand this verse. His revelation showed me exactly how husbands (or wives or anyone) can hinder their prayers.

The weaker partner

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Gal 3:28)

How do we hinder our prayers?

Paul said husbands and wives are co-heirs with Christ, and Peter says the same thing here: “Treat them with respect… as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life.”

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Pet 5:5)

Do you really think God is impressed with your sacrifice when you are not impressed with his?

How do we un-hinder our prayers?

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. (1 Pet 3:8)

Want more grace in your marriage? Thank God that he has blessed you with a partner in grace.

Want more grace in your family? Thank him for your kids who are co-heirs in Christ.

Want more grace in your church? Then “clothe yourselves with humility toward one another,” and praise him for surrounding you with such towering testimonies of grace.

Who are you thanking God for today?

___________

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What is Grace?

January 12, 2022 by Paul Ellis

As C.S. Lewis famously observed, grace is the one thing that makes Christianity unique. Grace is what makes the new covenant new and the good news good news. But what is grace?

Do you know what it means?

I read a lot of grace books and I have found that very few define grace. They tell you what grace isn’t. Grace isn’t works. Grace isn’t law. Grace isn’t religion. But they don’t tell you what grace is.

Don’t you find it strange that we who have been apprehended by the grace of God don’t have good definitions of grace? It’s like being French and not being able to explain what it means to be French.

What is grace? What does grace mean to me?

What is the grace of God?

It is common to hear grace defined as the kindness of God, or his undeserved mercy or unmerited favor. These are fine definitions, but brief. Max Lucado said “Grace is God’s best idea.” Of all his works, it is his magnum opus. And a magnum opus deserves a magnum definition.

Since I have been writing about grace for some time, I thought it might be fun to put all my grace definitions in one place.

I am not claiming to have a handle on God’s amazing grace. Far from it. All I want to do is start a conversation. I hope you will weigh in with your own thoughts about God’s grace.

A biblical definition of grace

What is grace? Grace captures the goodwill, lovingkindness, and favor of God that is freely given to us so that we may partake in his divine life. Grace is God’s divine aid that supernaturally empowers you to be who he made you to be.

The Biblical noun for grace (charis) means favor or kindness, and is related to a word (chairo) which means to rejoice, be cheerful and well off. The grace of God leaves us cheerful and rejoicing. It leaves us better than it found us.

Grace is…

Grace is what the unconditional love of God looks like from our side. God is love and love that stoops is called grace. Grace is the love of God reaching down and gathering you in his arms.

Grace is God’s loving-kindness towards you. Grace is God blessing you with himself for no other reason than it pleases Him to do so.

Grace is the confident assurance that with God on your side, you can’t lose. Grace is his strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.

Grace is freedom from sin, guilt, and condemnation. Grace is freedom from the need to prove yourself. Grace is divine permission to be who God made you to be.

Grace is heaven’s cure for the world’s woes. Grace is the power of God that turns sinners into saints, haters into lovers, and orphans into sons.

Grace is being adopted into the family of God. Grace is realizing you are a dearly-loved child, the apple of your Father’s eye, and a co-heir with Christ.

Grace is God honoring us with his presence. Grace is God with us. Grace is the adventure of life shared with Christ.

Flavors of grace

Grace is favor, freedom, forgiveness and a million other blessings besides. Grace is God’s divine acceptance, his salvation and sanctification.

Grace is power, healing and prosperity. (What do you think the word blessing means?)

Grace is God blessing you for no other reason than he loves you. Grace is divine power to live abundantly in union with the One who loves you and calls you by name.

What does God’s grace really mean?

Grace isn’t a doctrine, or bunch of rules for you to keep, and grace is not God’s lubricant for greasing the cogs of self-effort. Grace is a Person living his life through you. Living under grace is like being married, only more so.

In a word, grace is Jesus. Grace is not one of God’s blessings but all of them wrapped up together in the One who is full of grace. Grace is the Gift of all gifts from the Giver of all givers.

Those are some of my thoughts. I would love to hear yours. What does the grace of God mean to you? In the comments below, complete this statement: “Grace is…”

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I have given you my definitions of grace. In the Bonus Content that accompanies this article, I look at some outstanding definitions of grace provided by notable authors past and present. Check it out now on Patreon.

How to Get to the Front of the E2R Queue

January 5, 2022 by Paul Ellis

“What do you do all day, Paul?”

You’d be surprised how often I am asked this question. It’s usually easier to tell people what I don’t do. I’m a writer, but I don’t set daily writing targets and I don’t do book tours.

So what do I do?

Every day I go digging in the treasure rooms of God’s word. When I discover diamonds and gems I share them with you.

I don’t see myself as a writer trying to find readers for my writing, but a treasure hunter finding treasure for my readers.

“Look what I found? Do you want it? It’s yours!”

As you may know, last year I started a side project called The Grace Commentary. You may be wondering how that project relates to Escape to Reality. I feel it’s as if God has handed me the keys to the biggest treasure room yet.

While writing the commentary I have been in the Bible for about five hours a day, and I have found more treasure than ever before. Ton’s of treasure!

The easy part is finding the treasure; the hard part is packaging it and making it presentable.

“Look at this mountain of treasure. There’s a whole book in here!” says one part of my brain.

“Not another book,” groans the other part of my brain.

These days I am trying to write fewer books and better articles. In fact, that’s one of my goals for 2022 – get back to basics by writing terrific articles about grace.

And this brings me to you.

If you like what I write and want to be at the front of queue for all the good stuff that’s coming down the line, why not sign up as an email subscriber here on Escape to Reality? It’s totally free.

If you’re on Facebook or Twitter, you may have noticed that some of my social media posts get recycled. “Didn’t I see this one last year?” That doesn’t happen on E2R. Like first-class passengers on an airplane, email subscribers get only the fresh stuff.

Email subscribers have put themselves at the front of the queue, so why not become one? I won’t send you more than two to three emails a month and I promise that each one will be worth reading (I hope).

Don’t know what email is? Ask your parents. It’s like 1970’s rock music – old but still better than anything that’s come since.

One last thing, sign up as an email subscriber and receive four free ebooks! These excellent books will help you grow in grace.

The sign up form is below. Can’t see the box where you enter your email address? Log out of WordPress first.

Already a subscriber? Why not leave a comment and say hi? I’d love to hear from you. Tell us why you are a subscriber and what you get out of these emails.

In the coming season I expect Escape to Reality to go from strength to strength. I’m thrilled that you’re here to share the journey.

Grace and peace,

Paul

Why did God Hate Esau and Love Jacob?

December 22, 2021 by Paul Ellis

God loves the whole world. He loves everyone – you, me, your neighbor. He loves presidents and prime ministers. He loves scandal-plagued clerics and drug-ridden athletes. He loves runaway dads and negligent mothers.

God loves everyone… except Esau.

As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” (Romans 9:13)

Why did God hate Esau?

He didn’t. God loved Esau. You may recall that Esau and Jacob were the grandsons of Abraham. Esau was a man’s man; Jacob was a mummy’s boy. Esau was the first born, but through deception, Jacob inherited his brother’s birthright.

In the passage above Paul is quoting an old prophecy (Mal. 1:2–3) to show how God chose one of the twins (Jacob) but not the other (Esau).

The descendants of Jacob (the Israelites) received the favor of God but the descendants of Esau (the Edomites) did not.

God might just as easily have chosen Esau in which case Malachi would have said that God hated Jacob. But God chose the deceiver. He chose the second-born, the supplanter, the sinner to be the beneficiary of his grace.

Why?

We look at Jacob and ask, “Why him? What made him special?” And we miss the point. Jacob was not chosen because he was special; he was special because he was chosen.

God was looking to display the riches of his glory so he chose Israel. He blessed one nation so that they might reveal his goodness to the others.

Sadly, they failed.

The Israelites were not good ambassadors of God’s favor, but God’s plan was not thwarted. From among their number came Jesus who died for the whole world – including the descendants of Esau.

Why does God choose some?

The wrong way to read this verse is to say that God chooses some and rejects others.

“God chose Isaac over Ishmael. God chose Jacob over Esau. God might not choose me.”

Nope. It can’t happen.

Through the cross God declares his love for everyone of us. He calls you and me and Esau to come home.

If it seems that God chooses some, it’s because he is looking for prophetic people who will serve as signposts to the One who died for all.

In the end, it’s not about Isaac and Jacob who were elevated. And it’s not about whichever celebrity minister or prophet or artist who seems to be flavor of the month. It’s about Jesus who was lifted up so that he might draw all to himself.

Through the cross, God declares, “I love you and I have chosen you.”

Grace welcomes all to the table of his abundance.

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Got questions about a particular scripture? Check out The Grace Commentary.

Learn more about God’s grace for you. Become a subscriber today:

A Christmas Message from Paul

December 21, 2021 by Paul Ellis

A year ago I asked a question. “Lord, I’ve been writing E2R for years. What’s next?”

It’s not that I was tired of telling people about grace; far from it. It’s just that blogging wasn’t as challenging as it used to be. I wanted to try something new.

The Lord answered my prayer with three new challenges.

The Grace Commentary was launched in March 2021. In hindsight, it was a no-brainer. I had been working on a commentary for years, I just didn’t realize it.

Building the commentary has been a ton of work but a lot of fun. My goal for the year was to upload content for 1000 verses and by the grace of God we’ve done nearly double that. We still have a long way to go, but we’ve made a good start.

The Grace Glossary was a bit of a surprise. We launched in August 2021 and it has proven more popular than I expected. Like the commentary, it’s pretty rough, and I’m not sure where it’s headed. (A book? A sonnet?) It will be fun to see what happens next.

I started writing Jesus Scripts for my family at the beginning of the year. I had no plans to share these with anyone, but that changed in October 2021 when we launched the website. The jury is still out on this one, but if your kids enjoy the scripts as much as ours do, I will be delighted.

Reading about these ventures, you may think they are all part of some master plan. There is no plan. My only plan is to tell people the good news of Jesus any way I can. I am not a preacher or a poet so I write. And I am very thankful that I can do that.

That I get to give away thousands of books while writing full-time about the love of God on these various platforms would not possible without the generosity of my supporters on Patreon and Donorbox.

If you have been blessed by what I write, these are the amazing people you can thank:

Bill Fowler, Caleb Brubaker, Tom Ludemann, Christopher Gordon, Randy & Julee Armstrong, Michael & Julie Lipparelli, Ben Dailey, John Williams, Jon & Shannon Bonner, Helen Kearney, Emanuel Bulugu, Theresa M. Benischek, Wes Prosser, Amanda Henderson, Don Beeson, Tom & Kay Stocking, Craig Hunt, Tony Vogel, James Kerr, Erika & Klaus Degen, Mikael Jonsson, Julia Vockrodt, Marshall Kim, Rachmat Permana, Robin Waller, David Edwardds, Michael & Kim Vizza, James Mullier, Erik Grangaard, Jerry Williams, Derrick Darden, Justin Hopper, Jason Whitaker, Keith Forwith, Keith Pinke, Anne H Hoover, Jack & Janet, Jer Wei Low, Dottie Hicks, Norin Lumungking-Weier, Miguel, Stephanie & Estelle Gonzalez, Steve & Sandra McCollom, Kenneth Crum, Marion Carter, Janice Best Bright, Jana Mings, Diane Peterson, Claude (Bill) Schanuel, Tanya Nareau, Carl & Sara Petee, Christopher Johnson, Bruno Dammann, Kathy Haecker, Aney Mathew, Rick & Judi Manis, Al Jennings, Brandon Petrowski, Ron Roudebush, Dawn Strom, Jennifer Herkommer, Paul & Chantale Roxanas, Sam Bouwer, Rachelle Reeve, Andrew Maulding, Sarah, Corinna von der Mühlen, Adam Tanti, Lyn Packer, Ted Nelson, Craig Hodgins, Jim Powell, Mia Young, Cathy Barnett, Bonnie Weaver, Ginger Banks, Donna Sweigart, Abhishek Chougule, Mathew Stokes, Terry Tripp, Joneen Gentilini, Charles Law, Elizabeth Crews, Philip Yutzy, Elly “Singer” Kraai, Renee Woodward, David Nelson, JB & Carrie McKoy, Henry HS Yeo, Ricky L Cain, James Davis, Susie Dunlap, Real Paquette, Andy Manuel, Lloyd D McCaskill, Nick Atkins, Jeffrey, Rene Bouwer Benny Sunjaya, Toshiko Johnson, Lyle Geck, John Adriaans, Karen Moffett, Oscar Rios, Jay Bradley Reed, Patty VanderVeen, Adriaan Hattingh, Dennis & Denise Capra, Pagasa De Mesa, James W Smith, Raymond Glossop, Mary Ellen Serafine, Diane Schakola, Larry & Helen Wilgus, Cecil H Paxton, Dr. Shelly Hakspiel, Bruce Fulton, Melanie Theilig, Alison Gilbert, Dollice Chua, Paul Woodrich, Dave Tremblay, Eric Thon, Mark & Mary Beth Cain, Penny Creery, Nata Isr, Greg & Raelene Race, Lois Granbery, Michael Morimando, Chris Esparza, Ely Esparza, Annalee Reyes, Clint Byars, Michael Scroggs, Kimberly Russell, David York, Al Babcock, Trevor Lovegrove, Yvonne Beukes, Judy Krug, Debby Katz, Michael Miller, Cary Geno, Melissa Shands, Bill Shoemaker, KP Wong, Kitty Kata, Lynn Alford, Richard W Evans, Jon Onabowu, Liz Collard, Linda Essaff, JoNell, Grace Grace, Kath Wells, Rick Cowdery, Stella Emmanuel, Mathavan Rajkumar, M. Caleb Sannoh, Nizam Khan, Aaron Ashby, Theodore Heintzelman, Ralph Kassen, Patricia Walker, Greg M, Judy C Ervien, Melissa, Jonathan & Christina Ybarra, James Davis, Margaret Miller, Carolyn Coates, Dave Orrison, Collins K Raj, Joseph Adedeji, Joyce Rapier, Tim Milstead, Marie Robison, David Cheong, Agalliasis O.R., David Åleskjær, Cliff Miller, Tex Cox, Lynn Rogala, Jun Yu, Judy Eshenko, John Nankervis, Charles Graham, Leon Esterhuizen, Mike, Sadie Hasenkamp, Stephanie Smith, Starr Stephens, Gordon & Linda Dornink, Isaiah49er, Andrew, Adebare Adedigba, R B Thomas, Sonja Brown, AJ, Lydia Moorhouse, Jarod & Anita Darashah-Borman, Rebekah K. Watson, Edward McCarthy, Marie, Richard Lee, Bank Akinmola, Cory Smith, Mary Salisbury, Brian Page, Asit Parida, Lidia, Leonard John Ransil, Kent Gilge, Adam Goldfinch, Sara Wilson Hughes, Chad M. Mansbridge, Will McCulloch, Chucks Obinna Ugoihe, KL Oei, Kristi Gorrod, Connie-Louise Alexander, Andre de Haan, Tommy Miles, Bill Pruitt, Lewis Sage, Randy & Shandra Montague, Stephanie Kirtland, Diane Roman, Tony Cutty, Crisostomo L. Martin, Jenifer Powell, Margaret Eargle, Brandon Scott, Roland Stamey, Beverly Bowman, Sue Crissman, Alex C, Nelson, Elaine DeLones, Trice Seargent, William Conroy, Dana Daigle, Peter M Claffey, Glenda B Crawford, Larissa Hamel, Paul Burton, Kimberly Weeks, Frederick Johannes Botha, James Yaranon, Eder, Sharon Stark, Mimica, Hannah Lui, Dana K Griffin, Matthew Miller,Yvonne, John Daigle, Amon Viki Zwane, Craig Ballard, William Undi, Heather Gill, Deirdre M Rogers, Jane Hunckler, Georg Zönnchen, Charles & Sheilla van Wijk, David Slayback, Geoff Powell, Ilva Sturlese, Mel & Clare Sanders, Terry & Janelle Myers, Harold Dueck, Greg Brown, John Ikard, Anne Lyttle, Allan Faalavaau, Mark Testerman, David Slayback, and Elizabeth Ferguson.

I would also like to acknowledge those readers who give anonymously. You know who you are. Your generosity is changing lives, and I am truly grateful to partner with you.

I have some exciting projects planned for 2022 which patrons will hear about first. Until then, thank you for sharing the journey. If you have read, shared, or commented on my work, I appreciate it.

May your family enjoy the peace and favor of God as we celebrate the birth of our King and Savior.

Merry Christmas!

Paul

Why did Mary Find Favor with God?

December 14, 2021 by Paul Ellis

Imagine God asked you to recruit the mother of the Messiah. Two women have been shortlisted, and you have been asked to pick the best one.

The first woman has an impeccable pedigree being descended from Aaron the high priest; the other is a nobody from the no-name town of Nazareth.

The first one is married to a highly-regarded priest; the other is a teenager engaged to a tradesman.

The first one will go down in history as “righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord” (Luke 1:6); the second has done nothing worth writing about.

Which one is the more suitable candidate? I suspect many people would choose the first woman (her name was Elizabeth), but God chose the latter (Mary).

The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.” (Luke 1:30)

How did Mary find favor with God?

Who is favored by God?

I’ve been thinking about this question because it comes up in the discussion guide I just wrote for my latest script. Why did God choose Mary? What made her special?

Some say God chose Mary because “she must have been of high character.” In other words, Mary was a moral woman.

Others say Mary was pious, meaning she was blameless in terms of the law. Just like Elizabeth.

Then there are those who believe that Mary was sinless.

These explanations appeal to our religious sensibilities, but none of them is Biblical. If God was looking for a moral woman with the right pedigree and performance, he would have chosen Elizabeth. But he chose Mary, a young girl with little to commend her.

So here’s a question to discuss at the Christmas table: Why did Mary find favor with God? And here’s a follow-up question: How do we find favor with God?

Mary was not favored on account of anything she had done; she was favored because God was with her.

Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you. (Luke 1:28)

It’s the same with us.

You may be the youngest and the most insignificant believer in the kingdom, but you are as favored as Mary, because the Lord is with you (see Eph. 1:6).

I’m not joking.

Whether you lead a ministry of millions or live on a rock tending toadstools, if the Lord is with you, you are as favored as the mother of the Messiah.

But why Mary?

If God’s favor is unmerited, why did he pick Mary? Why not pick some other girl? Why not pick Elizabeth?

God could not just choose anyone. To fulfill the prophecies, the mother of the Messiah had to be a humble Jewish virgin living in Nazareth. She had to be ready to give birth in Bethlehem and then go live in Egypt for a while (see Is. 7:14, Mic. 5:2, Hos. 11:1, Matt, 2:23, 4:15). She had to be descended from the royal line of David or marry someone who was (Matt. 1:1, 20, Luke 1:32, 2:4).

At the time of Jesus’ birth, there were about half a million people living in Israel. Of this number, only a small proportion would have been unwed teenaged virgins. And of this group, only one woman ticked all the prophetic boxes. Her name was Mary.

But even that answer doesn’t quite capture why God chose Mary.

The God who sees the end from the beginning picked Mary long before those prophecies were given. God picked Mary because she had the one thing that matters when it comes to finding favor: faith.

And Mary said, “Behold the servant of the Lord; may it be done to me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38)

Highlight these words of Mary, for this is the language of faith. These are the words of someone who knows how to find the favor of God.

Faith attracts favor

God is good to all of us. His favor shines on everyone indiscriminately. But God only dwells with those who open the doors of their hearts. It is through faith that we find favor.

Cast your mind back to the beginning of the human story. God is in the Garden of Eden rebuking the serpent. He declares that the Seed of Eve will crush the devil’s head. As he is saying this he is scanning the future, looking for a mother. His gaze stretches past the law and the prophets and into the New Testament.

As the entirety of human history unfolds before him, God sees millions of suitable women with faith. So God decides to shorten the list.

“To demonstrate my glory I will choose a woman with no name from a town of no significance in a country of no consequence.”

So God whittles down his list and lands on Mary. In God’s eyes, she is the right person at the right time.

And so are you.

You are not going to give birth to a Messiah, but if you have faith, God will bear his fruit in your life. You don’t need to do a thing to make this happen. You don’t need to acquire a reputation and a track record. You don’t need to be blameless in the eyes of the law.

You just need to be like Mary, and believe.

A Mary Christmas

When God speaks into your life, you need to say, “may it be done to me according to your word.” God speaks, you obey, and your ordinary no-account life turns into Christmas.

Christmas is special, because God is with you. It is not the banquet or the tree that makes Christmas special. Christmas is special because it’s the day we remember God with us.

After Christmas the dirty dishes will be in the sink and the tree will be headed for the curbside, but God will still be with us. He’ll never leave us nor forsake us. And if you believe that – if you get up every morning with the same faithful attitude as Mary – you’ll continue to enjoy his favor on Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, and every other day.

Happy Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Day.

Image: “Maryiam” by Holly Schapker

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1. The Law of Moses

2. The law of God / the law of the Lord

3. The royal law

4. The golden rule

5. The greatest commandment

6. The law of Christ

7. The law of the Spirit of life

8. The law of sin

9. The law of righteousness

10. The law of faith

11. The law of liberty

12. The law written on the hearts

Law versus grace

A new commandment

Love one another

As Christ loved you

What makes this law a royal law?

The royal law in James 2

How do I love my neighbor?

A new law

Are mercy and grace the same?

How does grace differ from mercy?

Two angels: Mercy and Grace

Mercy vs grace

How do we hinder our prayers?

The weaker partner

How do we hinder our prayers?

How do we un-hinder our prayers?

How do we hinder our prayers?

The weaker partner

How do we hinder our prayers?

How do we un-hinder our prayers?

What is the grace of God?

A biblical definition of grace

Grace is…

Flavors of grace

What does God’s grace really mean?

Why did God hate Esau?

Why does God choose some?

Who is favored by God?

But why Mary?

Faith attracts favor

A Mary Christmas

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