Free Grace Theology Muestra

A “Thank-You” Life Instead of a “Have-To” Life

Free Grace Theology Allows Us to Live a “Thank-You” Life Instead of a “Have-To” Life

Other theologies say it is necessary to “be good” to get into the pearly gates. If something is necessary, then it is a have-to, a must, a requirement. There is not a choice to comply but a demand. It puts the burden of being good on the shoulders of the professing Christian. Since eternal life is a free gift from God, we assume we don’t “have to be good” to go to heaven.

If being good were required, we would always be wondering if we were good enough. That only ends in frustration. There is joy if I volunteer to be good because I want to, out of gratitude for what the Savior has done for me.

A “Have-To” Life Is a Job; A “Thank-You” Life Is a Joy

Free Grace theology does not teach a mixture of faith and works where you “have to do” works before you believe or after you believe in having the gates of heaven opened for you. In other words, there is no “front-end” load or “back-end” load on the gospel of faith. Just believe.

Neither works nor perseverance in good works is part of the makeup of faith. Works are not required before faith, in faith, or after faith in the person and work of Jesus. What He did was enough to save us. Entering into His rest requires faith. The rest we find in Him when we believe in His work on the cross is why we can live a life free from mandates and heavy burdens.  

Free Grace Theology truly is good news to the world. Because we live a “thank-you life” instead of a “have-to life,” we find joy even in the tough times that come to the volunteer—one who has lovingly accepted this invitation—as opposed to a draftee. Because we do not have to persevere in good works until the end of our lives on earth, we have the abiding peace that results from having the assurance of our salvation.