God is in total charge: Commentary Ephesians Chapter One

I am planning a series of posts beginning today, Sunday July, 17, 2016 that will look at the first four chapters of Ephesians in commentary form. This particular series will take on the method of expository teaching. Hopefully, this will aid in the further acceptance of my paradigm shift and will strengthen your resolve to allow yours to shift also. This, like all of Paul's Epistles begins with an explanation of the gospel and grace. It is my hope that this pattern of Paul in his epistles; along with the understanding of the redemptive focus that Jesus gave the scripture; along with "the redefining" of the phrase the *word of God* from Torah to gospel that Jesus taught his first century followers, will serve to strengthen your opinion, and embolden you to allow your paradigm to shift to a totally New Covenant focus, and embrace all that it entails and implies. With this in mind let's look at chapter one:

Eph 1:1-23 ESV
(1) Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:  (2)  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul simply provides a familiar greeting that he uses in all of his letters/epistles.  I want to point out here at he is addressing ALL the saints, both Jewish and Gentile. The reason that I want to make this point is that several of the following verses are directed to ALL the saints both Jew and Gentile. Later on he will make a brief distinction between the Jewish believers that he will refer to as us and the Gentile believers that he will refer to as you, but it will only be to show that the Jews had hoped in Christ for a much longer time than had the Gentiles. Therefore, the letter itself is to ALL Ephesian believers both Jew and Gentile. 

(3)  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, Ephesians is an epistle full of God's sovereign decrees. Let me define a sovereign decree. It is a statement that cannot be altered by further conditions. A decree is a statement that shows who is in-charge, and what that means. So, in this first decree we see that God has ALREADY blessed them, both Jew and Gentile with EVERY spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus.   Some of the sentences are so important that they must be examined clause by clause. This is certainly one of them so the first clause is as follows: "(4)  even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, This stated decree explains that the choice was made before the foundation of the world. That is, the choice was made before creation. This means that God's first thought in creation was redemption. In other words, God created the world to redeem it! It was not a solution to an accidental circumstance. Redemption was the first stated purpose in creation. Think about that. Think about what that implies. God could have never been angry about the fall of man. It was God's purpose.

Why did God purpose this? that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love Now, when Paul writes that we should be holy and blameless before Him in love, he meant that we should be holy and blameless in his sight. It is stated that way in many of the translations. The reason is that the word translated *before* him, actually means in his sight. So then, the clause is not saying that we should be holy and blameless as much as it is declaring in conjunction with the former statement that God has made us holy and blameless. This is not referring to our holiness but our declared holiness by virtue of receiving the righteousness of God as a gift based on faith in Christ Jesus. (5)  he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, Here you have a clear statement that is by the sovereign choice of God, and not the choice of humanity. This again is a decree. He goes on to answer why. He gives God's purpose in this"  (6)  to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. So now we see the motivation. God first purpose in creation was redemption, and it was to the praise of His glorious grace. God created humanity to praise Him for his grace!  Grace then, is the prime factor in all that God does. It is most important of all concepts. God's grace is a direct result of His love. It is not Law. It is not wrath. It is in fact grace that proceeds from God's love. With this in mind. Grace is the driving prerequisite force in all that God ever planned! Don't you see that evangelical doctrine and dogma is so far off the mark when the focus is on law obedience?

(7)  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,  (8)  which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight  (9)  making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ  Paul is still addressing ALL the Ephesian believers, both the Jew and Gentile. Again, see it is the riches of his grace that is the reason. God's mysterious will was hidden prior to the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. It was in wisdom that God did this. God knew that grace and his love would be far more transformative than simply giving a law to be followed. Grace is that which allows us to properly and truthfully love God.

(10)  as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.  (11)  In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,  God planned for the fullness of time, according to Paul's argument, the fullness of time was then, Paul's time, the Ephesians time. The fullness came in the first century. They were awaiting the promised destruction of the temple and the time when God would manifest that his sons and daughters were those who believed in the gospel. We also see in this decree that God purposes all of this to the counsel of his own will. Again, we see the sovereignty of God in this decree.

Finally now Paul makes a distinction between the Jew and Gentile believer. (12)  so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.  Here Paul is speaking of himself as a Jew and all of the Jewish people that came before him. They indeed were the first to hope for a Messiah. (13)  In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,  (14)  who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.  Now Paul is speaking of the Gentiles. It is important to see in these verses that Paul defines the phrase the "word of truth." He plainly states that the word of truth is the gospel of salvation and not the entire scripture. Paul would of-course, hold on to this meaning of the phrase through all of his writings so, when he speaks about rightly dividing and correctly handling the word of truth in 2 Tim 2:15, he obviously means rightly dividing the gospel or correctly handling the gospel. To rightly divide the word of truth is to correctly handle the gospel as it resides in scripture. Several years ago, I came up with a slogan of sorts. It was as follows: "the only way to rightly divide the word of truth is with the cross." After all, the cross event is dividing act between promising the gospel and realizing the gospel.

Notice also that after hearing and believing the word of truth, (gospel), one is sealed with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of redemption. Redemption, eternal communion with God is the prize, and the indwelling Holy Spirit is the guarantee of that.  ANYONE who sincerely believes the gospel has the Holy Spirit as a guarantee. It may not be fully realized, but that does not negate that ALL believers have the Holy Spirit as a gift of redemption.  Notice further that it also is to the praise of the Glory of God, and by extension from the previous decree in verse six is to the praise of the glory of His grace. Again, the driving force, the catalyst for all that God has purposed in the fullness of time is GRACE. When God so clearly focuses on grace, why do so many focus on the law of sin and death?

Now, because of all these wonderful decrees, Paul acknowledges their faith and love and begins a prayer that calls for a blessing on all the Ephesian Believers. (15)  For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints,  (16)  I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,  So look at what he prays;  (17)  that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,  (18)  having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,  (19)  and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might  (20)  that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,  (21)  far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.  (22)  And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,  (23)  which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. Please receive with the Ephesians, the spirit of wisdom and revelation into this glorious inheritance that by decree does not depend on you but rather on God's decree and what he has already accomplished from before the foundation of the world. It was a done deal before he created anything. This decree came from the time prior to Genesis 1:1. It came from the time of John 1:1; "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God!" 

I will continue this teaching series next week. Until then be blessed and concentrate of the grace of God, the love of God and the gospel of Christ!

No Condemnation: Romans Eight Commentary.

Rom 8:1-39 NASB  "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." This is a declarative sentence and it cannot be altered. Anyone in Christ Jesus is not condemned. Declarative sentences are such that they have to be true always. The bottom line then is this... anyone in Christ Jesus has no condemnation ever!  (2)  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. We see here that there is a law of the "Spirit of Life" and there is a "law of sin and death." I believe that it is the same law but, the operation, how the law is accomplished and fulfilled, is different. We will see later on in Paul's argument how to tell the difference.  (3)  For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, The first thing to realize is this: There has never been anything wrong with God's law. The problem has always been, and always will be the flesh. That is why the condemnation was placed on Jesus, flesh on the cross, and buried with him in his death. There was a purpose which will be stated in the next verse, verse four. (4)  so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. The law is fulfilled in any who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. But, what does it mean to walk according to the Spirit and not the flesh? This is a place where mainstream evangelical theology, doctrine and dogma have failed miserably.

Twenty some years ago, I was a guest on a radio talk-show program in St. Louis MO. It was on Sunday evenings at 7PM Central, I believe it was called "Grace Talk;" It was hosted by a brother named Dawan Ferguson. That particular evening the show focused on Romans 8:1-4. A caller named Jerry called in and insisted that verse four meant that one would be obedient to the law, and that walking in the Spirit meant walking in the law. I know that there are many who take that position but it is erroneous and misleading. Actually the text goes on to explain exactly what walking in the Spirit means. (5)  For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.  (6)  For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,  (7)  because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,  (8)  and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Several years later the Spirit grabbed my thoughts one Sunday morning as I was again reading this passage. It was an epiphany. I heard in my mind clearly, "Joe, did you get that? Having ones mind on the flesh, and fleshly things was walking in the flesh, and having ones mind on Spiritual things was walking in the Spirit." It went on to tell me, "Joe, if your mind is on the flesh to sin, or if your mind is on the flesh to try not to sin, it is still on the flesh." That was an earth shaking, paradigm shifting, thought. Especially in view of verse eight that clearly states that those with the mind on the flesh cannot please God. So then, all the preaching that focuses on talking about not sinning, actually puts people in a place where they cannot possibly please God. Ouch!

The mind on the Spirit is not the mind focusing on sin. No, the mind on the Spirit is the mind focusing on the gospel. We should have known that from Romans chapter seven. Didn't Paul plainly state that the Law brought about all kinds of sin because of the weakness of the flesh? So, all those who believe that once a person is saved that the Holy Spirit helps one obey the Law are off base. Being guided by the Spirit comes from having ones mind on the spiritual revelation that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting sin. (9)  However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.  (10)  If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. Any person confident that they have the indwelling Spirit of God must also be confident that there is NEVER any condemnation for them! So what is the righteousness that makes the Spirit alive? It is the righteousness of God that comes from faith in Jesus. Here is a place where the working of the Spirit in the redeemed needs some explanation. Let's just say that it is not simply that the redeemed believer automatically receives the ability to follow and obey the Law. There is a specific operation in the transformation process and it involves believing the gospel, and not reading, understanding, and fulfilling the Law.

In the following passage, Paul begins to explain how this supernatural operation of the Spirit in the believer works. Look at Romans 8:11-13... (11)  But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.  (12)  So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh--  (13)  for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. The key in this passage is looking at how one puts the deeds of the body to death by the Spirit.  It centers on the effect that believing the gospel has the individual.  (14)  For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.  (15)  For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"  Here is the key. The Spirit is not a Spirit of slavery and fear. This coincides nicely with the passage in First John Chapter 4. 1Jn 4:18  "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love." It takes assurance and resting in the "no condemnation" to cast out fear. So what does it mean to be made perfect in love? That is simple, one is perfected by believing that the love of God has made one the righteousness of God. Now then, as one believes the gospel; believes there is no condemnation; believes that it is a gift of God by grace; believes that they are no longer are under law, but under grace, then they will begin to automatically love God. In fact, when they realize the truth of God's grace they cannot help but love God. This is precisely how to be made perfect in love, and it also is the way that one can walk in the Spirit and put to death the deeds of the body. It is only by this operation that one can ever be properly informed by the law and discover what pleases God. However, it always must be aside from fear, and it cannot be tied to pleasing God. One has to remember that without faith it is impossible to please God, so one has to have faith in the fact that he/she is righteous because God has declared it based on faith to please Him.

When one believes the gospel the following condition kicks in. "(16)  The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,  (17)  and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him."  In the KJV it says that His Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are his children. This emphasizes the importance of preaching the gospel over and over, even to seasoned saints. There never comes a time when the gospel is not important, and there NEVER comes a time when preaching condemnation to saints has any benefit at all. The minute that a Saint hears a condemning message from the Law they are forced to focus on the flesh and how they can try to get their flesh under control. At that moment in time, the supernatural transformation flies out the proverbial window because fear and punishment are reintroduced. The perfection that comes from love are lost, or diminished to a time past and that is why you have so many people coming to the alter to be saved over and over again, Sunday after Sunday. In reality, the continuous preaching of the Old Covenant, the Law, and condemnation is having the opposite effect as is planned. This is why Paul told the Corinthian Believers that he determined to know nothing among them except Jesus Christ crucified, (the gospel.)

It is in verse eighteen that grammar plays an important and decisive part in proper interpretation. "(18)  For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." When you read Paul write about the present time, he is not speaking of *any* time present... it is NOT our present time. The reason is that the Greek word that is translated as time is not chronos, but rather kairos. The present time in Paul's usage is the right time, the ripe time, it is the time present to the Roman Believers only. They were suffering something specific, and awaiting something specific. The thing that they most awaited was the destruction of the temple, and the time/kairos (ripe time) when God would show who his real sons and daughters were. It would be the time when at last, Old Covenant Judaism would be judged with the destruction of the temple and the true sons and daughters of God, those who believed in Christ would be REVEALED, (manifested, made obvious.) It is stated plainly in verse nineteen: (19)  For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.  Notice my emphasis. The awaited manifestation of the sons of God was the destruction of the temple which would bring the dawning of the end of the Old Covenant and the FULL installation of the New Covenant.

Now comes a fairly long passage verses twenty through twenty-seven that explain the fall. (20)  For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope  (21)  that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.  (22)  For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.  (23)  And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.  (24)  For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?  (25)  But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.  (26)  In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;  (27)  and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.  Who subjected the creature to the fall? The answer is God. Humanity had to experience the knowledge of good and evil to be able to recognize real good when they saw it. However, the fall was a painful process and it ultimately required redemption. It required that there ultimately be a First-fruits of redemption and righteousness. And, since we do not fully understand all this the Spirit must intercede and utter our petition according to the will of God. This is the purpose, function, and importance of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

"(28)  And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."  Yes, we can individually rest in the promise that all things work for good, and why not, Paul says here that the fall worked for out good! Within the context of this passage, Paul is clearly stating that the fall, (the creature being subjected to futility) worked for the good. How much more will ALL THINGS not work out for our good?

Now comes Paul's great poetic doxology to the thoughts of this chapter. "(29)  For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;  (30)  and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.  (31)  What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?  (32)  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?  (33)  Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies;  (34)  who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.  (35)  Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  (36)  Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."  (37)  But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.  (38)  For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,  (39)  nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." We were predestined, called, justified, and glorified from before the foundation of the world. Yes! Yes! Yes!!!! IF GOD IS FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?

The Secret Place of the Most High is the Sabbath Rest

Psa 91:1 KJV  "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."

The ninety-first Psalm is a powerful comfort to the believer. This is one place where the King James Version has no rival. "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High" is indeed the Sabbath Rest, mentioned in Hebrews three and four. Paul stated that the gospel was a mystery, a mystery that had been held tight until the time of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. This mystery was revealed in its fullness to Paul. He shared it with the believers of his day, but it was prophesied in the ninety-first Psalm. In fact, the only way to abide under the protection of the Almighty God is to REST in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. God's secret place, God's place of seclusion is found in resting in Jesus. With this in mind, let us take a fresh look at the ninety-first Psalm.

We know that it is prophetic of the life and work of Jesus. It pertains to Jesus as the first-born, but then it pertains to all believers. It is also the prophetic promise of God's keeping of "his own." Jesus as the first born is "his own," but we, united with Christ in faith are "his own" also. Psa 91:2  "I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust." This verse is descriptive of the Sabbath Rest. One only need be reminded of the promise that in Christ, through Christ, we are the very righteousness of God.

Psa 91:5-8  "Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;  (6)  Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.  (7)  A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.  (8)  Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked."  This is a wonderful precious promise that the one resting in Jesus can take to the bank. We can rely on God and his promises and declarations. In fact, when we rely on, trust in, and cling too the promises in verses 5-8 we do enter the Sabbath Rest. We realize that we need not work at it. God has taken control of it for us!

Psa 91:9  "Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;" Listen to the words of the Psalmist here: By entering in to the Sabbath Rest, making the most High your dwelling place, you bring the promises to fruition. It is not by the good one does. It is by making the promises of the Lord a resting place that all of the promises come to you. That is, the promises that are above in verses 5-8 and the promises that follow in verses 10-13.

Psa 91:10-13  "There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.  (11)  For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.  (12)  They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.  (13)  Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet." Entering into the Sabbath Rest affords so many rich benefits. The angels are watching over the one resting in Jesus. Snakes, roaring lions, and dragons shall be under your feet. Isn't it interesting that Satan has been referred to as a snake/serpent, a dragon, and a roaring lion?

Now, here's what God says: Psa 91:14-16  "Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.  (15)  He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.  (16)  With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation." These promises are there for the believing. Believing in these promises is in fact entering into HIS REST.

Heb 4:9-11  "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.  (10)  For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.  (11)  Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." The promises of God are yes and amen in Christ Jesus.  Meditate on the 91st Psalm and enter the rest, believe the promises and abide in the shadow of the Almighty!

The Gospel According to Paul; Proof positive why current evangelical doctrine is an error, Part II

In the previous blog post we established that Paul defined the gospel very specifically in 1 Corinthians 15 as simply and completely the death burial and resurrection of Jesus. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus is in fact the full content of the good news. It was God's act to reconcile the world to Himself. Faith in that message gives peace with God which in turn ultimately creates supernaturally a love for God that is trans-formative in nature. We also established that 2 Corinthians 5 offers the clearest statement of the good news (2Co 5:16-21.) The first blog post is only half of the proof though. The second half of the proof is in the New Testament definition of the word of God. Time after time in this blog we have demonstrated that mostly when Jesus made the statement, and completely from Acts forward, whenever you see the phrase "word of God," it means the gospel or Jesus the gospel made flesh.

Now then, why do you think that John MacArthur wrote "The Gospel According to Jesus?" It is simple. He wanted to demonstrate that the gospel involves law obedience as well. He will deny that but it is ridiculous for him to try to do so. That indeed was his purpose. It was to convince people that the one who is truly saved will, in fact, supernaturally try to obey the Law. That is a sad error. That is in fact, the "leaven of the Pharisees." The gospel was not meant to allow the Christian to obey the law supernaturally. The gospel was meant to cause the believer/Christian to supernaturally love God. It is a supernatural love for God that is trans-formative in nature. Believing the gospel creates a true love for God based upon His grace. 1Jn 4:10 NLT  "This is real love—not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins." The unconditional grace of God, apart from any act of law obedience is the source of the transformation. John MacArthur's error only produces fear ultimately. 1Jn 4:18 NLT  "Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced His perfect love." The only way that one can experience this perfect love is by believing the gospel as Paul explained it in 1Co 15 & 2Co 5. The minute that law obedience is attached as a proof of conversion it changes to a law based righteousness.

In the previous blog post  we saw that the gospel according to Paul was one of total, unconditional grace that does not focus on sin. Rather, it focuses on the supernatural way that God removed sin from the equation. We wondered why current Christian doctrine focuses so much on sin and law. It stems from a basic misunderstanding of the scripture interpretation. This is the reason that Christian doctrine is so far of the mark, wallowing in the mud bog of error. In this post we can answer the question that so many have. If you are right about the gospel and unconditional grace, why then is there so much that appears to be law in the New Testament writings? Most evangelicals cannot get past the law passages. and we have to answer that question satisfactorily.

Let me restate the question again at the beginning of this paragraph: If we are indeed not under law and instead under grace, why is there so much ink in the New Testament writings that appears to be law? The reason is very simple. The New Testament writings were not written directly to us. They were written to an audience that was in the middle of transition from the Jew only Old Covenant to the all inclusive New Covenant. They were written during a transition period that runs from John the Baptist to the destruction of the temple. Law was very important in the Old Covenant economy as it acted as a teacher, or tutor that was preparing the way for, and pointing the way to Christ Jesus. To emphasize the nature of this transition period look at Hebrews nine. Heb 9:7-8 NLT  "But only the high priest ever entered the Most Holy Place, and only once a year. And he always offered blood for His own sins and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.  (8)  By these regulations the Holy Spirit revealed that the entrance to the Most Holy Place was not freely open as long as the Tabernacle and the system it represented were still in use." All of the New Testament was written before the destruction of the temple while the Old Covenant limped along side of the New Covenant. The believers both Jew and Gentile were being shown a new and better way, but during the transition period there was an already/not yet mixture of the Old and New Covenants.

To facilitate the new and better way, the better covenant, based on better promises, Jesus and his first century followers redefined the phrase "word of God" from the Old Covenant definition of Torah to the new covenant definition of gospel. So in the gospel according to Paul, the word of God was the gospel. If you read Romans 10:17 in its context, you will have to admit that Paul was speaking of faith coming by hearing the gospel. Paul went on to define specifically the "word of truth." It is not the scripture per se, but rather the gospel. He gives the definition in Ephesians 1:13 in which he says "the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation."

It is obvious that Jesus and his first century followers were redefining "word of God" from Torah to gospel to make sure that everyone understood that the scripture had a redemptive gospel focus and not an Old Covenant "law centered" focus. In fact, the early church fathers in the second century forward went back to calling the scripture "the word of God" with an interpretive method that was similar to the Pharisees. In fact, current evangelical scripture interpretation is "the leaven of the Pharisees." This is precisely what Jesus warned his first century followers to beware of and watch out for.

So then, it is by an erroneous way of interpreting scripture that evangelical doctrine has nullified grace by making law more important than grace in the day to day lives of believers, when in fact, the gospel plan, the mystery that was revealed in Paul's day is just the opposite. I hope you take time to read part one if you have not done so as they are important to be read as a unit. This is what makes the gospel according to Paul so critical and of first importance in proper understanding of the correct Christian doctrine.

The Gospel According to Paul; Proof positive of why current evangelical doctrine is an error!

There is wide disagreement in evangelical Christianity as to what exactly is the content of the gospel. John MacArthur, wrote a book entitled "The Gospel According to Jesus." That book, and many like it, just continue to perpetuate the error that besets the evangelical church. The title of the book, "the gospel according to Jesus" suggests that Paul somehow got the gospel wrong, or did not completely explain the gospel. I say that if that was true, then Paul was a false prophet, and if that was true, Christianity would have been founded in large part on error. Further, if it was true, that Paul was wrong about the content of the gospel, then the record of the gospel, all of the Pauline writings, would be of little or no value, and there would be no reason whatsoever to believe the bible. Paul is an authority on the basis of the concept of progressive revelation. That means that what was revealed through out the scripture was illuminated and given proper context and meaning by subsequent revelation. In other words, each author, in his or her own way, added illumination to the plan of God. Paul explained that it was a mystery in times prior to his. This statement to be true, means that Paul was given insight into explaining the mystery. So then, what was the gospel according to Paul? actually it was succinctly explained in his first epistle to the Corinthians in chapter 15.

1Co 15:1-9 NLT  "Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it.  (2)  It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place.  (3)  I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said.  (4)  He was buried, and He was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.  (5)  He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve.  (6)  After that, He was seen by more than 500 of His followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died.  (7)  Then He was seen by James and later by all the apostles.  (8)  Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw Him.  (9)  For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I'm not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God's church."

As you can plainly see, the Good News (gospel) according to Paul was a very simple message. Here is the entire message of Paul's gospel: "Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said.  (4)  He was buried, and He was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said." In fact, the gospel is so simple that it is almost Zen. In the above passage, Paul is reminding the Corinthians of the gospel he preached, the gospel they welcomed, the gospel they stood firm in, and the gospel that had saved them if they continued to believe it. To make such a bold and all inclusive statement one would have to believe that Paul was going to explain the gospel in its entirety, and if he did not, then he would be lying, and his witness would be unreliable. So then, let me repeat what he said the gospel was in view of all of his declarative statements. He said it was the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. So then, what did the death, burial, and resurrection of the Jesus mean to Paul? The simple answer is that one is justified by faith, saved by faith, kept by faith, resurrected to eternal life by faith.

Here is a passage of scripture that puts Paul's understanding of the gospel most succinctly: 2Co 5:16-21 NLT  "So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know Him now!  (17)  This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!  (18)  And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to Himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to Him.  (19)  For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And He gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.  (20)  So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making His appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, "Come back to God!"  (21)  For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ."

The gospel according to Paul is this: Humanity has been reconciled to God through Christ. Further, God has given everyone who knows and believes this message the ministry of reconciliation. Even further, God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself not counting sin. Even further, he made Jesus, (the one who did not know the concept of sin) to be MADE SIN so that the rest of us could be made the righteousness of God in Him.

This is the ULTIMATE REVELATION! This is the explanation of the MYSTERY! Why is it that all of evangelical Christianity is so wrapped up in the discussion of sin? Why is there so much focus on sin? Why is there so much discussion of Old Covenant Law? Why is there so much hate, fear and bigotry? The answer is obviously simple; evangelical church doctrine is a complete ERROR!

How does the gospel operate? Misunderstanding the operation of the gospel; why so many evangelicals are in bondage: Part II

This is a second article in a series about the operation of the gospel vs. the operation of religion. The first of the series can be read at this location. I really recommend that you read the first one found at the link above if you have not already done so, as this article builds on the foundation that the first one laid. It examines the operating force in the gospel as compared and contrasted with the operating force of religion. It establishes the fact that the operating force in the gospel is grace and the operating force in religion is the law. The operating force is the same as the catalyst. It is the igniting principle that makes the gospel effective. It is the thing that allows the gospel message to actually affect change. Paul described it in this way in Romans 2:4: "Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?" The transforming catalyst of the gospel is grace which alone establishes a peaceful, trusting relationship with the Father.

I have heard so many pastors and ministers tell me that the people cannot handle unrestricted grace. The most common thing I hear is this: "I know that God's grace is prime, but if I teach the people this they will just sin more. If I teach the real truth of the gospel the people will not be restrained. They will not give enough. They will quit attending services.... and on and on. That kind of thinking is just submitting to the religious spirit and will kick in the operating force of religion. The catalyst for religion is fear and guilt. The problem is that fear and guilt will always create bondage. That is precisely the thing that makes current evangelical dogma so destructive. It is why so many people are on a treadmill, burned out, and miserable. They are afraid to get off the treadmill because they have been taught that getting off the treadmill is paramount to abandoning God. THIS IS ANOTHER POISONOUS LIE. All of the bondage trappings of religion have absolutely no value in establishing a peaceful, trusting relationship with the Father.

It should be obvious that if one has to keep religion engaged to control people that the dogma is really not beneficial for the people. Most evangelical leadership freely admit that they cannot teach grace because it will cause chaos and they will lose control over the people. Well, here is a novel thought; if what leadership is doing to maintain the health and life of the church and includes fear and guilt as the motivating method, then perhaps the health and life of the church is not important. Listen to me church leader... if you have to employ fear and guilt to motivate people, then you are not presenting good news. Good news does not need fear, guilt and intimidation to keep people interested in it. "Rom 8:15  For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father!"

The bondage comes from instilled fear of God the Father. The ones instilling the fear are using the operation of religion to control people. It amazes me that so many sermons, and so many bible studies are concerned with instilling fear for the sake of motivation and control. This comes from an erroneous view of scripture. It comes from focusing on the scripture being a legal constitutional document and not the story of redemption. As the first article of this series explains, the operation of the gospel is to completely do away with fear. The Apostle John explained it this way: 1Jn 4:18 "There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears has not reached perfection in love. How do you reach perfection in love? The answer is so simple. IT IS BY BELIEVING THE GOSPEL! If you are continually being subjected to sfear by those trying to control you, I have just one piece of advice... "come out from among them and be ye separate" Stay away from the uncleanliness of the operation of religion, Focus on the operation of the gospel and learn to enjoy a peaceful, trusting relationship with your Father in Heaven!

How does the gospel operate? Misunderstanding the operation of the gospel; why so many evangelicals are in bondage

Evangelical Christianity is at a cross roads. Quite frankly its future existence is at stake. It saddens me to see the amount of believers that are in some form of religious bondage. Religion is so binding and so subtle. It indeed is like the metaphor used by Jesus which is leaven/yeast. As yeast permeates the entire batch of dough, religion permeates our spiritual relationship with our creator. The warning to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees is a warning to beware of religion. So then, what is the operation of religion? It is the opposite of the operation of the gospel. What I want to make perfectly clear is that there is an operation of the gospel and there is an operation of religion. They operate completely differently, but somehow, evangelical doctrine has made the operation of the gospel the same as the operation of religion. They say they do not, but practically, they do and it cannot be denied, and it has a choke hold on believers. It causes them to be burned out and miserable.

The true operation of the gospel
One of the main principles in the operation of the gospel is stated in Romans 2:4 "Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?" The gospel works by grace and not law. Always! The grace of God, God's unmerited favor, is the driving force in the operation of the gospel. Unencumbered grace, prepares us for a peaceful trusting relationship with God. Think about this; one cannot have a peaceful, trusting relationship with God without unlimited, ever abounding grace. It is grace that is the catalyst for operation of the gospel. The "operation of the gospel" is the way in which God supernaturally brings about transformation to the heart. Upon realizing that there is truly unlimited grace, that we are not in fact under law but under grace, we then, and only then, begin ever so slowly to develop a peaceful, trusting relationship with the Father that allows the gospel to work supernaturally.

This being the case, why do so many churches and pastors put people under the law. They erroneously tell people that once a person has accepted the grace of God, God by his Holy Spirit then gives us/them the ability to live the law. THAT IS A LIE FROM THE PITS OF HELL!!!! This is the lie that continues the bondage. They tell them that the Holy Spirit enables people to be able to read and do. AGAIN, THAT IS A HORRENDOUS LIE!!! Actually, the operation of the gospel relies completely on grace. It relies completely on one having a peaceful, trusting relationship with the Father that leads to us REALLY LOVING THE FATHER. Then, from this place of love for the Father that only comes from grace, one will begin to want to please the Father with her/his love. Real love of the Father will make one begin to love others. Love grounded in a peaceful, trusting relationship with the Father will bring to fruition John 13:35.

On the other hand, and this is what is so, so, so sad to me is that the operation of religion; the read and do mentality of religion; chapter and verse mentality of religion; begins an operation of fear and hiding, that always keeps the believer in the bondage of not measuring up. My friend.... NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRY.... YOU WILL NEVER MEASURE UP AS LONG AS YOU HAVE THE OPERATION OF THE RELIGIOUS SPIRIT IN YOUR LIFE. In that state you cannot really love even though you know that you must by chapter and verse. It therefore is so important that
we stay grounded in the gospel of grace 24/7. There is no other message to preach. I will say without shame that I have determined to preach nothing among anyone, except Jesus Christ crucified, and his unwavering, endless, amazing grace.