The differences between Free Grace "Salvation", (Salvation from the Penalty of Sin, which comes free of all cost), need to be properly correlated, yet distinguished from issues concerning Costly Growth Salvation, "Discipleship" (Salvation from the Power of Sin), otherwise, only confusion results.

The objective goal of Free Grace Salvation is to tell people how to be eternally saved and recieve the gift everlasting life. This saving message is found in the Gospel of John.

The Objective goal of "Costly Growth" is to make the disciples "perfect" or "mature" in Christ. This message is found in the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, and the epistles of the New Testament.

     The contrast between Grace and Growth clearly demonstrates two kinds of salvation, one that is instantaneously received by faith alone in Christ alone without cost, it is "absolutely free", and a salvation that requires a life time of hard work, service, commitment, and obedience to Christ, which is very costly. A salvation that is free, but costs you everything is ridiculous nonsense.

     There cannot possible be a salvation that is both free and costly, better known as "Costly Grace". That is a contradiction in terms. The often quoted statement that, "Salvation is by faith alone, but is not a faith that is alone" is a oxymoron, nothing less than "double speak". It is far better to say,"There is a salvation that is by faith alone, and a salvation that is not by faith alone". These salvations are both desirable and obtainable, but by different means which is clearly seen. As Dr. C. Norman Sellers said, "There is a salvation by faith, and there is a salvation by works, but there is no such thing as a salvation by faith and works".

     If you are discovering this truth for the first time, we invite you to receive the free gift of eternal life by faith alone in Jesus Christ our Savior and LORD. Then, commit yourself to abiding in His word, becoming a disciple of Christ, to receive the many addition benefits or rewards of costly growth, such as praise, honor, and glory which Christ greatly desires to give to those who persevere in the faith, hope and love for God.

Receiving Free Grace Salvation is an "either/or" proposition. "either/or" is an unavoidable choice or exclusive division between two alternatives; an ultimatum. In other words, "either" one has salvation "or" one does not. A person has one or the other. There is no other alternative. No middle ground.  It can be one way or the other, but it cannot be both. "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life..." (John 3:36a) This means that there is no such thing as "believing and really believing". Either one believes or one does not believe. Either one is a believer or one is an unbeliever. Either one is eternally saved or one is not. There are no degrees of Free Grace Salvation.

Costly Growth Salvation, is not an "either/or" proposition, but an "both/and" or an "neither/nor proposition. Let's explain:

     Costly Growth is built on the foundation of Free Grace. A disciple of Christ cannot proceed on the path of Costly Growth before he possess Free Grace, though many have tried. One can possess both Free Grace Salvation and Costly Growth Salvation. However, if one does not possess Free Grace Salvation, then neither can he posses Costly Growth Salvation, nor Exceeding Glory. So, the first step is to receive the Free Grace Salvation by faith alone, and then to proceed on the steep climb of of Costly Growth, in order the reach the top of Exceeding Glory.

     It is possible for a believer to possess Free Grace Salvation, and not proceed to Costly Growth Salvation. It is expected and greatly encouraged that the believer will do so, but we must also recognize that many times believers may not do so. It should also be recognized that the believer who does not proceed to Costly Growth, will not possess Exceeding Glory. All believers will be glorified, but only those believers who proceed to Costly Growth will receive Exceeding Glory. Now, there are degrees of growth, therefore, there will be degrees of Exceeding Glory.

     What we should not automatically assume is that a believer who does not proceed on to Costly Growth does not possess Free Grace Salvation. The lack of growth does not prove that there is no eternal life.