When we share the grace gospel today, we must be careful how we present it. It is important to note that the grace gospel is not only the truth that the Lord died and rose again, but far more importantly, it is that the Lord died FOR OUR SINS and that his resurrection was FOR OUR JUSTIFICATION. This detail is of great importance, as the basis of our faith should rest specifically in the underlined statements above.
The church at Galatia was severely affected by the false teachings of the Judaizers who wanted the believers in Galatia to follow the Law of Moses and be circumcised. Paul deals with their false doctrines and their attacks with instructions in his letter that speak boldly and with authority against these teachings, laying out sever consequences to those who skew the grace only message of the gospel. He writes,
Gal.1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Concerning believers in the grace gospel, Paul says these two things: (1) you are in Christ, and (2) Christ is in you.
"To whom God would make known what
is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach,
warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present
every man perfect in Christ Jesus:" – Colossians 1:27-28
The phrase "Christ
in you" is found in Col
1:27, and in the next verse every man is presented perfect "in Christ Jesus" (Col
1:28).
What
do these seemingly opposite but similar sounding statements mean?
What's the difference between 'you in Christ' and 'Christ in you'?
The following is a slightly modified extract from an article posted at "Now the End Begins".
"I hear the sound Of a mighty rushing wind, And it's closer now than it's ever been. I can almost hear the trumpet, as Gabriel sounds the call; at the midnight cry we'll be going home!"
The incredibly beautiful and soul-stirring song 'Midnight Cry', sung by John Starnes, —from a spiritual perspective, is wonderful and one could never get tired of hearing it, but from a rightly dividing perspective it's a hot mess.
"While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him." Matthew 25:5,6 (KJB)
Below is a summary of the details discussed in the preceding lesson parts of this gospel (the gospel of Grace), as well as additional points that highlight its unique standing in relation to the other gospels in this study. The table will also be a useful means to run comparisons with the other gospels to really get a grasp on the differences and transitions that occurred within each.
