Articles by Real Christianity

Over the past several weeks, we’ve been discussing the great reformation doctrine of justification by faith alone. We’ve also seen Paul defend that doctrine from a variety of different angles. We’ve learned that Paul spends the first quarter of this book to the Romans proclaiming and explaining this very truth. Now, we’re currently in the fourth chapter, but we’re really in the third section as it pertains to theological concepts.

Paul answers the question of why the covenant promises are realized strictly by faith alone. He shows how we can trust in the promises given to us because we see Abraham’s trust and the promises given to him realized. Ultimately, Abraham’s faith is to be an encouragement to us.

In this episode of Real Christianity, pastor Dale Partridge talks about how God has given us a unique way to have stronger faith.

How should faith and works relate to one another? And if we’re saved by faith, what role do works play? Our works are not the means to procuring the promise of God through Christ. Faith is. Many Christians have blurred the line between faith and works, and need to see that there are dramatic distinctions between these two things. Faith is a gift of God, and the Christian’s work is something that God has prepared for us because we have been saved by faith. We must have a faith that is desirous of good works, one that says “I long to do the will of my Father because He first loved me and saved me.”

In this episode of Real Christianity, pastor Dale Partridge talks about the distinction between faith and works, and how we should push fellow Christians to do good works, without it becoming legalism.

What’s the purpose of the sacraments if they can not secure salvation? What does the Bible teach about these signs and seals? How should this cause Christians to think about baptism and the Lord’s Supper? Paul offers us a comprehensive view of the gospel in the book of Romans, giving us better gospel fluency. So far, the book of Romans has shown us the universal condemnation of the law, and that all men are condemned by the law, and are only justified by faith in Christ alone.

This blessing of salvation in Christ is something that occurs before any sacraments are performed. Just as Abraham was justified before he was circumcised, so too we are justified through faith which leads to obedience. We obey, not so that we will be saved, we obey because we have already been saved. We must remember that our obedience is a sign of what God is doing in and through us because He has saved us in Christ.

In this episode of Real Christianity, pastor Dale Partridge walks us through how we should look at the sacraments and how this understanding should shape how we see baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

How do we view the free gift of grace that God gives us in Christ? Paul highlights the idea that those who work for their wages are not entitled to grace, but instead earn what they’ve earned. Romans 4:4-5 is an important reminder that salvation cannot be earned through our own efforts or adherence to the law, and shows our faith is a gift from God and that salvation is only possible through receiving the free gift of grace found only in Christ Jesus.

In this episode of Real Christianity, pastor Dale Partridge walks us through what it means that our faith is counted as righteousness, as Paul explains in Romans 4:4-5 we can not work for something that is freely given as a gift.

What does the Bible teach about obedience? Is our obedience something we do in order to justify ourselves? What do we learn from Abraham about his faithfulness to God? As we continue through the book of Romans, Paul is slowly revealing to us that our works of obedience do not make us righteous before God. In Romans 4, he unpacks this by explaining that it was Abraham’s faith in God and belief in His promises that justified him.

So, how does this look for us today? Since we are on the other side of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, we are looking back at all of the promises that God has fulfilled. But, this doesn’t change the fact that our faith in God and belief in His promises is also what justifies us. The difference for us is that we now know it is the righteousness of God in Christ that we can rest in as our justification.

In this episode of Real Christianity, pastor Dale Partridge walks us through the difference between obedience and legalism, as Paul explains in Romans 4:1-3 how our faith is counted to us as righteousness.

Christians are quick to say, “Christ died for me.” But often times they forget that Christ also lived for them. Namely, Christ is not only the Cross-bearer for our sin but also the Law-keeper for our righteousness.

What does this mean for Christians and the Law (the Ten Commandments)? Since the Law is fulfilled by Christ does it still have a purpose for Christians? If we’re not saved by our obedience but by faith alone, how should we think of the Moral Law? In this episode of Real Christianity, Pastor Dale Partridge answers these questions and more as he continues his teaching through Romans 3:28-31.

A central theme in Scripture is that man may not boast before God. Namely, humanity has no grounds for self-congratulation. 1 Corinthians 4:7 says, “What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?”

Ultimately, Scripture teaches that all that we have—from our heartbeat to our faith—is a gift from God (Eph. 2:8-9). This is an essential truth to grasp as we live in a time where many Christians have wrongfully attributed the origin of their ability to“believe. Millions state that while Christ offers salvation, they must, in and of themselves, “choose to believe.” Namely, they do not understand that even their very ability to choose to believe in Christ is given to them by God.

In this episode of Real Christianity, pastor Dale Partridge presents the biblical evidence of God’s sovereignty over our salvation and how even our faith is a gift of God.

According to the Bible, we do not have an unjust God. That is, we do not have a God who overlooks sin. Today, many Christians think that God’s mercy takes the place of God’s justice. This is untrue. God does not compromise His justice to save sinners.

The Gospel teaches us that no sin will go unpunished. The penalty for man’s sin will either be laid upon the Savior or laid upon the sinner. In this episode, pastor Dale Partridge continues his journey through the book of Romans where he uncovers the justice and justification of God.

Eschatology has become a focal point of much discussion in recent years. Most American Christians have been raised under the influence of Dispensational Premillennialism and are greatly unaware of the other orthodox positions. In this episode of Real Christianity, pastor Dale Partridge is joined by pastor Joel Webbon to cover the landscape of the end-times debate while also sharing the basics of their eschatological position—postmillennialism.

Salvation is forensic. It rests upon pure justice and logic. The deeper things of God cannot be grasped without first a comprehension of the basics. The order of salvation is fundamental. Without a clear hold of this process, there is no reference point for further theological truths.

In this episode, pastor Dale Partridge explains the three-part process of justification, redemption, and propitiation that lays at the foundation of our salvation.