Q&A Concerning Rightly Dividing and Jesus versus Paul

Q&A Concerning Rightly Dividing and Jesus versus Paul

QUESTION (on social media):

Why do people say "You don't have to obey Jesus because Paul said we are saved by grace?" Jesus said whoever doesn't obey his words, is building on sand. (Matthew 7:24-27) Paul was for Jesus.

MY REPLY:

ALL the words that Jesus spoke are spirit and life, Jn.6:63, but we must take note to WHOM Jesus spoke. In his earthly ministry, Jesus spoke to the Jews. His entire earthly ministry was directed to his people to save them so that Israel could be a light to the Gentiles, as prophecy describes. Jesus himself says the following,

Mat_15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (See also Matt.10:5–6)

Fulfilling the law by walking after the Spirit [of the written Word]

Fulfilling the law by walking after the Spirit [of the written Word]

There is a spirit that's been given to us in the word of God, and when we let it fill our hearts, it begins to work effectually in us to free us from the law of sin and death, so that we can serve God. In Rom.8:2-4, Paul tells us, "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: (4) That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." The sin in our lives has already been judged, and we don’t have to carry that judgment anymore. Yes, sin exists, but we are not obligated to follow it: we are not a debtor to the flesh. God has not asked us to fix our flesh; he's asked us to reckon it dead. Quit trying to fix it. The moment we try to fix it is the moment we've given it back its power. It's dead, it's condemned; we don't have to fix anything in it.

God did this so that we could fulfill His law, which we couldn’t do in the flesh because of our sin, and now through his Spirit, the righteousness of the law is being fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. The moment we try to fix our sinful nature ourselves, we lose the battle. God has freely given us the gift of life through His Son, who has risen from the dead. We need to learn how to come into union with Christ, because without this union to Christ through the written Word, we can be a redeemed soul that delights in God and wants to do God's will, yet never find the power to do what God wants. It’s important to understand how to live in unity with the Son of God through the Spirit [of the written Word], so that He can work his life in us to bring forth fruit unto God.

Righteousness and Life of Christ functional in us. (Dead to sin and delivered from the law)

Righteousness and Life of Christ functional in us. (Dead to sin and delivered from the law)

God put you under grace not so that Adam’s sin and death could continue to reign in you. He put you under grace so that the righteousness and life of His Son could work in you to produce fruit unto holiness for Him. This message provides a clear and understandable presentation of how grace works in us, and how to correctly understand the foundational concepts of Romans 6 and 7. 

I encourage you to listen to this video and learn some valuable insights of how grace changes us.

Righteousness and Life of Christ functional in us. (Dead to sin and delivered from the law)

How do I get closer to God for good and never sin again?

How do I get closer to God for good and never sin again?

QUESTION:

How do I get closer to God for good and never sin again?

ANSWER:

Your question takes me back to Romans 7. You are facing the same internal conflict as Paul did when he wrote the passage outlined below. Before you read it, consider that in this very passage there are some important things to learn. I will expound on them below.

Rom 7:18-24 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. (19) For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. (20) Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (21) I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. (22) For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: (23) But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (24) O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

So, what do we learn from this that can answer your question?

We have the clear teaching from Jesus Himself that fasting is an essential part of spiritual life

We have the clear teaching from Jesus Himself that fasting is an essential part of spiritual life

The following is a reactional comment from this post concerning fasting, and if it is observed in the grace dispensation.

STATEMENT:

This is part of the problem with Dispensationalism — we have the clear teaching from Jesus Himself that fasting is an essential part of spiritual life (not to mention unambiguous historical records of periodic fasting being normative going back to the very earliest days of Christianity), and then Dispensationalists come up with excuses to disregard it all.

REPLY:

My post does not forbode fasting. It simply informs that it is not an obligation, nor a necessity, nor a means, under grace.

Benching dispensationalism, I do want to bring attention to how you suggest that what Jesus taught applies to us. It is important to know that the Bible tells us clearly that Jesus taught under the law (Gal.4:4; Rom.15:8) and that his earthly ministry and teachings were addressed to Jews only (Matt.10:5-6; Matt.15:24). When Jesus called men to follow him, it was a call for Jews to follow his example and pattern of living. It was an example of living under the kingdom he was about to set up (Matt.4:17). This is not the example we follow today because we do not belong to that earthly kingdom. We belong to the heavenly kingdom (Eph.2:6; 2Tm.4:18), a different part of God’s whole redemption plan (Eph.1:10; Col.1:20).

(Part 2) Various questions concerning the difference between the ministries and doctrine of Peter and Paul

Various questions concerning the difference between the ministries and doctrine of Peter and Paul (Part 2)

See Part 1 here

Question #1

• In regard to Matthew 25:31–46, you assign that as before the 1000-year reign starts, but what about at the end of the 1000-year reign when for a small season, the devil will be released from the pit for a last rebellion? You do not think that reference may apply to that time as that would be when the Great White Throne Judgment is at when all the dead are raised up and judged by their works.

Matthew 25 does not reference the time that Jesus refers to as the Sheep and Goats judgement. This judgement is specifically enforced to determine which Gentiles will enter the Millennial kingdom. Without this judgement, no Gentiles will exist in the kingdom, which does not line up with prophecy which tells that the Jews will be the preeminent nation in the kingdom and that the Gentile nations will seek the counsel of the Jews and abide by the law administered by the Jews as the kings and priests in the kingdom.

As you rightly identify, the release of Satan will deceive many at the end of the Millennial reign and both Satan and those deceived will be quickly ended when God sends down fire from heaven. Both Satan’s captivity in the pit, and the Sheep and Goats judgement occur before the beginning of the 1000-years.

(Part 1) Various questions concerning the difference between the ministries and doctrine of Peter and Paul

Various questions concerning the difference between the ministries and doctrine of Peter and Paul (Part 1)

Question #1

• So, is Peter & the 11 were really preaching an earthly kingdom when Jesus wasn’t here?

The statement Jesus used in Lk.17:20 in answering the Pharisees is that the kingdom of God was ‘within’ Israel, or ‘amongst’ them at that moment. To those who could discern it, the King was there in their midst. At this time, during Jesus earthly ministry, the kingdom would not come in a physical way, as it would come at His second coming, and demand the attention of the world. The first advent of Jesus was not yet to physically save Israel, but rather to prophetically announce and prepare Israel for the imminency of the Kingdom and ratify the New Covenant. It was a work of faith.

After Jesus ascended, the early Acts church continued the work that Jesus started; to preach and prepare Israel for the imminency of their Kingdom. The physical kingdom had not yet arrived, but they were fully expecting it when Jesus came back. See Acts 1:6.

Question #2

• Below in regard to Matthew 25:34 in context, this reads like the event of the Great white Throne Judgment, because of verse 40 in relation to verse 31.

Matthew 25:31-46 is not the Great White throne judgement. This White throne judgement occurs after the 1000-year (Millennial) Kingdom of Christs rule. The judgement in Matt.25 is the “Sheep and Goats” judgement which is upon the Gentiles at the end of the 7-year Tribulation. After Jesus has destroyed the armies of the Antichrist in Armageddon, this judgement occurs to determine who of the Gentiles will enter the Millennial Kingdom. This Gentiles who supported Israel (Jews) during the tribulation would find justification to enter the Kingdom. Conversely, those Gentiles who did not support Israel in the tribulation would be cast into the fire. The description of support for Israel that Jesus uses in this passage is clear. 

Law and Grace cannot be blended into one doctrine

Law and Grace cannot be blended into one doctrine

COMMENT:

Peter and Paul had way more in common than differences. And your wispy doctrine has you all mixed up if you think you only have to follow what Paul says and not the apostle Peter. They are both apostles of this age of the new covenant and both their writings are to be obeyed because they are both divinely inspired.

ANSWER:

Jesus said the following to his disciples,

Mat 10:5-6 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: (6) But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Furthermore, Jesus himself mentioned about his ministry,

Mat 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Questions on the two kinds of righteousness.

Comment in response to the following post: 
https://thebigpicturelink.blogspot.com/2024/03/two-types-of-righteousness.html

COMMENT:

So, if it’s two types of righteousness what is Paul expressing here Romans 10:3-5 and in Deuteronomy 6:25; Romans 7:7 and in 1 John 3:4

If you say there are two types of righteousness, one by law and the other by faith, then how can Paul say one thing in the above verses and then turn around and say the opposite in those scriptures you put in your answer? 

Oh yes, Paul is also teaching from the Old Testament! So where in the Old Testament does it prophecy TWO types of righteousness?

2 Peter 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

2 Peter 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

A lot of people want to twist scripture to suite their lifestyle

A lot of people want to twist scripture to suite their lifestyle

PERSONAL NOTE:

Hi friends,

A lot of my current posts have been responses that I have written to questions (or misguided statements) in social media sites. Instead of having it simply appear once and get forgotten, I like to add it here too for personal reference and for exposure to all who browse my blogs.

There is so much confusion and false advice out there today because people either post replies to bible questions based on their personal views of scripture, whether they have read or studied the bible or not, or they post replies based on modern denominational teachings, which in most cases is the doctrines of men's imaginations and not to rightly divided Word of truth.

Two Types of Righteousness

Two Types of Righteousness

The Bible speaks of two types of righteousness. There is a righteousness of the law and there is a righteousness of faith.

Php 3:6-9  Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.  (7)  But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.  (8)  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,  (9)  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Paul clearly points to his own righteousness, which is of the law and by man’s works, but then he mentions another righteousness which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.

Not Made Perfect by the Flesh

Not Made Perfect by the Flesh

“O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:1-3 KJV).

Can “the flesh” add anything to the Holy Spirit’s work? Nay, it cannot!

The Galatians were preoccupied with the Law of Moses (cf. Galatians 4:21). Religious rules and regulations captivated them. They were deceived into believing their performance—their “flesh”—could somehow enhance their Christian life (cf. Galatians 3:1-3). Did the Holy Spirit come to indwell these saints because of their religious works? No! Would He need their pious deeds to continue living in and through them? No! Sadly, today’s professing church is equally “foolish.” Nearly 20 centuries later, it still refuses to recognize rites, rituals, and ceremonies are incompatible with God’s grace! Like the Galatians not thinking clearly, we lack even basic spiritual common sense. We too have not let the Message of Grace renew our mind.

Who is judged by which gospel?

Who is judged by which gospel?

QUESTION:

Is Romans 2:16 only referring to those who denied the Paul's gospel during the dispensation of grace? That is my current understanding of Rom 2:16

ANSWER:

Consider the Kingdom gospel. It is based upon the precepts God gave to Israel. It required repentance based on their unbelief and it required water baptism based on the ordinance of washing applied to priests in the Mosaic law. It also required being filled with the Spirit according to the new covenant prophesied in Ezek.36 and Jer.31. So, this gospel had requirements and ordinances specific to Israel and their relationship with God under law.

Now consider Paul's gospel. To be justified by God, it simply required faith in God, and more specifically, faith in His Son. Paul writes,

Sanctification is not reforming the flesh. It is renewing the mind.

Sanctification is not reforming the flesh. It is renewing the mind.

A false notion about sanctification is to reform the flesh. Common expectations placed upon new believers are to conform to traditions, prescribed patterns, or programs that the church dictates, and growth is determined by how well they perform and conform in these pious works of the flesh. The fruit of this system is self-glory through achievements and admiration. It grows the outer man, the carnal nature. There is no spiritual knowledge or understanding imparted, and spiritual growth is stunted, producing nothing more than babes and children who can only function under laws. The result of this carnal immaturity is envying, and strife, and divisions.

1Co 3:1-3  And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.  (2)  I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.  (3)  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

DM#19: Perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement

Doctrine of the Mysteries #19

Perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment

1Co 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

The Bible presents Paul’s epistles in an order specific to how we should study it and teach it. This order is important to unifying believers in the principles of ‘the faith’, Rom 1:5, to promote unity through doctrinal knowledge.

DM#15: For whatever is not from faith is sin

Doctrine of the Mysteries #15

For whatever is not from faith is sin

Romans chapter 14 has such a wealth of information to keep us on the righteous path. In the previous post (DM#14) I dealt with Rom 14:1-5. Let's now look at some key statements in the last part of the chapter. 

Let's continue with Paul's advice,

Romans 14:22 Do you have faith [believing that what you do or choose is right in your heart]? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts [what he approves] is condemned [and sins] if he eats [or does or says], because he does not eat [or do or say] from faith [but acts under condemnation, not being fully convinced in his heart]; for whatever is not from faith is sin. (Gal.2:20)

This part of the passage is jam-packed with information that we can use to judge our heart and determine where we stand regarding 'doubtful' sins. It starts by pointing out again that we cannot judge another in any regard. These are personal convictions that we cannot place upon others. This is why it says, "Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God." Did you catch that? Have it to yourself before God! Your conviction is yours before God. You cannot place it on someone else! If you are convicted of smoking, then you cannot tell someone else that they are sinning because they are smoking! That person might not have been convicted in their heart about it. The Holy Spirit might be dealing with them about other issues that they perceive as sin, but smoking might not be one of them yet. We are all on a different part of the road to sanctification.

DM#14: Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

Doctrine of the Mysteries #14

Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind 

We all know that lying and stealing is sin. The Bible verifies this explicitly, including other actions like adultery, murder, coveting, idolatry, pride, etc. There is no doubt that these are sins to be avoided. But is smoking a sin? Is speeding on the road a sin? How many glasses of wine can you consume before it becomes a sin? What about calling in sick when you really are not? How do we know and judge if these are sinful? The Bible does not explicitly tell us that they are. 

Romans chapter 14 is one of my absolute favourite chapters because it proves how dynamic our individual relationships are with God when it comes to walking in righteousness. Furthermore, it utterly obliterates the static dictatorship of traditional and religious, man-made Christianity. In this chapter, Paul tells us plainly, that we, as grace believers, walk in our own faith and conscience before God, and bear the consequences of our own deeds before God’s judgement seat. This is why Paul personalizes his advice when he says, 

Rom 14:22  “Hast THOU faith? have it to THYSELF before God.”, and 

Rom 14:10  “But why dost thou judge thy brother? … for WE SHALL ALL STAND [individually] before the judgment seat of Christ.  …  (12)  So then EVERY ONE OF US [individually] shall give account of HIMSELF to God.

DM#13: Submission to Authorities

Doctrine of the Mysteries #13

Submission to authorities

It can be amusing (and sad) to read the reactions of people when you tell them that, as grace believers, we are not under the law, but under grace.

Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 

The reactions can vary from being called blasphemous, to a show of ignorance by people who ask the very question Paul deals with in Rom 6:15, “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.” Others would respond with some confusion, asking to what extent this statement applies; is it the Mosaic law? Is it church, or state, or country law? Is it secular rules and regulations, or is it laws that are more personal?

Well, before we get into our actual topic of submission to authorities, it will help to clarify what laws Paul is saying we are not under. The law that Paul refers to here is not the moral laws (aka: The 10-commandments, minus observing the Sabbath), but rather, they are the laws connected to Israel’s priesthood.

DM#10: Debtors to the Spirit

Doctrine of the Mysteries #10

Debtors to the Spirit

Rom 8:12-14  Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.  (13)  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.  (14)  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Our principal duty as believers, which is also the will of God for us, is to come to the knowledge of the truth, 1Tim 2:4. How do we come to the knowledge of the truth? We study the written Word of truth and learn how to rightly divide it, 2Tim 2:15. We allow the Word of God to dwell in us richly, Col 3:16. We allow it to renew our mind so that it makes us wise unto its doctrine, allowing it to reprove, correct, and instruct us.

Being led by the Spirit of God is not being led by some ethereal voice or premonitions, but rather, it is simply having a knowledge and understanding of the written Word within you. You walk by the Spirit (or walk by faith) when you obey the truth of God’s Word, applying it to your life circumstances and scenarios. Notice what Paul says here,

DM#8: Dead to the law

Doctrine of the Mysteries #8

Dead to the law

We have determined that Romans chapter 6 is an incredibly important, mile-marker chapter. It sets a strong precedent for a believer who is committed to learning and living the mystery doctrine. After telling us that through faith in the gospel of grace, we have justification and access to the grace of God, Paul immediately gets into the details of what we should know, and how we should start to think. He places a responsibility upon us to learn a few things which are intended to renew our pattern of thought, things that will help us to understand our new position in Christ, and spiritual truths that will become cornerstones within the foundation he will lay throughout Romans.

Having informed us that we are dead to sin, Paul enlightens us of our relationship with the law. There are a few surprises in store for the uninformed reader.  

Rom 6:15-17  What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.  (16)  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?  (17)  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

Shall we sin because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

SPIRITUAL LESSONS

Paul uses that statement again, “God forbid!” He is cautioning you not to think carnally. We cannot reason spiritual truth in a carnal mind. We must consider what we are being taught from our new positional stance with God, through Jesus Christ.