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Keywords of Grace and Law

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Every Bible teaching, sermon or message you have ever heard has been one of three kinds: law-based, grace-based, or a mixture of grace and law.

A law-based interpretation puts the emphasis on you and your works, while a grace-based interpretation puts the emphasis on Christ and his work. Law- and grace-based interpretations can be recognized by their different vocabularies.

Keywords of law

Words that often appear in law-based messages include; you must, you should, work, duty, debt, obligation, perform, produce, lack, service, strive, struggle, suffer, obey, sin, confess, convict, judgment, commandment, guilt, condemnation, penalty and punish.

Keywords of grace

Words that often appear in grace-based messages include; love, faith, rest, forgiven, favor, receive, believe, righteous, justified, accepted, abide, abundance, fullness, fellowship, beloved, sons, children of God, good news, hope, blessed, freedom, spiritual, new creation, life, light, truth, power and Jesus.

(What keywords did I miss? Let me know in the comments below.)

The best kind of message is grace-based. The grace of God is what makes the good news, good news. The gospel of grace reveals the unconditional love of your Father and empowers you to partake in his whole and godly life.

What is the worst kind of message? It is not the law-based message, because any teaching that pushes pure law will soon have you running to Jesus in desperation (see Gal. 3:24).

The most dangerous teaching is the one that mixes grace and law. Such a message will leave you muddled and lukewarm. It will cause you to strive in the flesh and fall from grace. A message of mixture dilutes the law emptying it of its power to condemn our self-righteousness. And mixture also prostitutes your Father’s love by saying you must work to receive what God has freely provided.

New Testament examples

Believe it or not, but examples of all three messages can be found in the New Testament. Before the cross, Jesus preached LAW to those who lived under the law. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus preached a law of conditional forgiveness. “If you do not forgive, God will not forgive you” (Matt. 6:15). Jesus took the diluted law preached by the scribes and Pharisees, and elevated it. “You have heard it said… but I say unto you…” (see Matt. 5:27ff). Jesus magnified the law so that those who were under the law might see their need for a Savior.

After the cross, we got a new covenant and a new message. On the night he rose from the dead, he instructed the apostles to proclaim the forgiveness of sins (Luke 24:47) which underpins the gospel of GRACE. “All is forgiven. God holds nothing against you. Receive his righteousness and be reconciled to God.” (see Acts 13:38, Rom. 5:17, 2 Cor. 5:19–20).

Law, then grace. Old covenant, then new. That’s the Biblical progression. Because of the cross we are no longer under law but grace (Rom. 6:14). In the new covenant of grace, we have no relationship to the law (see Rom. 7:6, Gal. 2:19).

But some New Testament figures missed the transition. Even though Christ’s death on the cross rendered the old covenant obsolete, they acted like they were still under the law.

At the Council of Jerusalem there were some Pharisee-believers who insisted the Gentiles must live under the Law of Moses (Acts 15:5). They preferred law to grace.

In Galatia there were false teachers who insisted the Gentiles keep parts of the law, namely circumcision and special days like the Sabbath (Gal. 4:10, 5:2). The false teachers of Galatia were the first preachers of MIXTURE, and Paul said they were accursed (Gal. 1:9).

The falsest of false gospels

The message of mixture is the worst of all the false gospels. If someone came preaching immorality, you would reject it as licentiousness. If someone came preaching law, you would reject it as legalism. But mixture is subtle. Mixture has enough grace to be appealing and enough law to sound convincing.

The problem is grace and law don’t mix. Mix hot with cold and you’ll end up with something that is neither, and this is what makes mixture a false gospel.

Make no mistake, the message of mixture has been wreaking havoc for 2000 years. Mixture is poison passed off as medicine. Mixture is a ticking bomb wrapped in ribbons. If grace is God’s best idea, mixing grace with law is the devil’s best idea.

Mix the good news of grace with the bad news of law and you end up with a cheap law that nullifies grace and is no gospel at all (Gal. 1:7). The message of mixture is a distortion of the true gospel of Christ.

—

In the coming weeks, I plan to look at how the message of mixture appears in some of our more popular Bible commentaries.

If you can’t wait, check out my latest study note, “Which Bible Commentaries Are Grace Based (And Which Are Not).” It’s available now on Patreon.

Keywords of Grace and Law

by

Every Bible teaching, sermon or message you have ever heard has been one of three kinds: law-based, grace-based, or a mixture of grace and law.

A law-based interpretation puts the emphasis on you and your works, while a grace-based interpretation puts the emphasis on Christ and his work. Law- and grace-based interpretations can be recognized by their different vocabularies.

Keywords of law

Words that often appear in law-based messages include; you must, you should, work, duty, debt, obligation, perform, produce, lack, service, strive, struggle, suffer, obey, sin, confess, convict, judgment, commandment, guilt, condemnation, penalty and punish.

Keywords of grace

Words that often appear in grace-based messages include; love, faith, rest, forgiven, favor, receive, believe, righteous, justified, accepted, abide, abundance, fullness, fellowship, beloved, sons, children of God, good news, hope, blessed, freedom, spiritual, new creation, life, light, truth, power and Jesus.

(What keywords did I miss? Let me know in the comments below.)

The best kind of message is grace-based. The grace of God is what makes the good news, good news. The gospel of grace reveals the unconditional love of your Father and empowers you to partake in his whole and godly life.

What is the worst kind of message? It is not the law-based message, because any teaching that pushes pure law will soon have you running to Jesus in desperation (see Gal. 3:24).

The most dangerous teaching is the one that mixes grace and law. Such a message will leave you muddled and lukewarm. It will cause you to strive in the flesh and fall from grace. A message of mixture dilutes the law emptying it of its power to condemn our self-righteousness. And mixture also prostitutes your Father’s love by saying you must work to receive what God has freely provided.

New Testament examples

Believe it or not, but examples of all three messages can be found in the New Testament. Before the cross, Jesus preached LAW to those who lived under the law. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus preached a law of conditional forgiveness. “If you do not forgive, God will not forgive you” (Matt. 6:15). Jesus took the diluted law preached by the scribes and Pharisees, and elevated it. “You have heard it said… but I say unto you…” (see Matt. 5:27ff). Jesus magnified the law so that those who were under the law might see their need for a Savior.

After the cross, we got a new covenant and a new message. On the night he rose from the dead, he instructed the apostles to proclaim the forgiveness of sins (Luke 24:47) which underpins the gospel of GRACE. “All is forgiven. God holds nothing against you. Receive his righteousness and be reconciled to God.” (see Acts 13:38, Rom. 5:17, 2 Cor. 5:19–20).

Law, then grace. Old covenant, then new. That’s the Biblical progression. Because of the cross we are no longer under law but grace (Rom. 6:14). In the new covenant of grace, we have no relationship to the law (see Rom. 7:6, Gal. 2:19).

But some New Testament figures missed the transition. Even though Christ’s death on the cross rendered the old covenant obsolete, they acted like they were still under the law.

At the Council of Jerusalem there were some Pharisee-believers who insisted the Gentiles must live under the Law of Moses (Acts 15:5). They preferred law to grace.

In Galatia there were false teachers who insisted the Gentiles keep parts of the law, namely circumcision and special days like the Sabbath (Gal. 4:10, 5:2). The false teachers of Galatia were the first preachers of MIXTURE, and Paul said they were accursed (Gal. 1:9).

The falsest of false gospels

The message of mixture is the worst of all the false gospels. If someone came preaching immorality, you would reject it as licentiousness. If someone came preaching law, you would reject it as legalism. But mixture is subtle. Mixture has enough grace to be appealing and enough law to sound convincing.

The problem is grace and law don’t mix. Mix hot with cold and you’ll end up with something that is neither, and this is what makes mixture a false gospel.

Make no mistake, the message of mixture has been wreaking havoc for 2000 years. Mixture is poison passed off as medicine. Mixture is a ticking bomb wrapped in ribbons. If grace is God’s best idea, mixing grace with law is the devil’s best idea.

Mix the good news of grace with the bad news of law and you end up with a cheap law that nullifies grace and is no gospel at all (Gal. 1:7). The message of mixture is a distortion of the true gospel of Christ.

—

In the coming weeks, I plan to look at how the message of mixture appears in some of our more popular Bible commentaries.

If you can’t wait, check out my latest study note, “Which Bible Commentaries Are Grace Based (And Which Are Not).” It’s available now on Patreon.

Keywords of Grace and Law

by

Every Bible teaching, sermon or message you have ever heard has been one of three kinds: law-based, grace-based, or a mixture of grace and law.

A law-based interpretation puts the emphasis on you and your works, while a grace-based interpretation puts the emphasis on Christ and his work. Law- and grace-based interpretations can be recognized by their different vocabularies.

Keywords of law

Words that often appear in law-based messages include; you must, you should, work, duty, debt, obligation, perform, produce, lack, service, strive, struggle, suffer, obey, sin, confess, convict, judgment, commandment, guilt, condemnation, penalty and punish.

Keywords of grace

Words that often appear in grace-based messages include; love, faith, rest, forgiven, favor, receive, believe, righteous, justified, accepted, abide, abundance, fullness, fellowship, beloved, sons, children of God, good news, hope, blessed, freedom, spiritual, new creation, life, light, truth, power and Jesus

(What keywords did I miss? Let me know in the comments below.)

The best kind of message is grace-based. The grace of God is what makes the good news, good news. The gospel of grace reveals the unconditional love of your Father and empowers you to partake in his whole and godly life.

What is the worst kind of message? It is not the law-based message, because any teaching that pushes pure law will soon have you running to Jesus in desperation (see Gal. 3:24).

The most dangerous teaching is the one that mixes grace and law. Such a message will leave you muddled and lukewarm. It will cause you to strive in the flesh and fall from grace. A message of mixture dilutes the law emptying it of its power to condemn our self-righteousness. And mixture also prostitutes your Father’s love by saying you must work to receive what God has freely provided.

New Testament examples

Believe it or not, but examples of all three messages can be found in the New Testament. Before the cross, Jesus preached LAW to those who lived under the law. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said preached a law of conditional forgiveness. “If you do not forgive, God will not forgive you” (Matt. 6:15). Jesus took the diluted law preached by the scribes and Pharisees, and elevated it. “You have heard it said… but I say unto you…” (see Matt. 5:27ff). Jesus magnified the law so that those who were under the law might see their need for a Savior.

After the cross, we got a new covenant and a new message. On the night he rose from the dead, he instructed the apostles to proclaim the forgiveness of sins (Luke 24:47) which underpins the gospel of GRACE. “All is forgiven. God holds nothing against you. Receive his righteousness and be reconciled to God.” (see Acts 13:38, Rom. 5:17, 2 Cor. 5:19–20).

Law, then grace. Old covenant, then new. That’s the Biblical progression. Because of the cross we are no longer under law but grace (Rom. 6:14). In the new covenant of grace, we have no relationship to the law (see Rom. 7:6, Gal. 2:19).

But some New Testament figures missed the transition. Even though Christ’s death on the cross rendered the old covenant obsolete, they acted like they were still under the law.

At the Council of Jerusalem there were some Pharisee-believers who insisted the Gentiles must live under the Law of Moses (Acts 15:5). They preferred law to grace.

In Galatia there were false teachers who insisted the Gentiles keep parts of the law, namely circumcision and special days like the Sabbath (Gal. 4:10, 5:2). The false teachers of Galatia were the first preachers of MIXTURE, and Paul said they were accursed (Gal. 1:9).

The falsest of false gospels

The message of mixture is the worst of all the false gospels. If someone came preaching immorality, you would reject it as licentiousness. If someone came preaching law, you would reject it as legalism. But mixture is subtle. Mixture has enough grace to be appealing and enough law to sound convincing.

The problem is grace and law don’t mix. Mix hot with cold and you’ll end up with something that is neither, and this is what makes mixture a false gospel.

Make no mistake, the message of mixture has been wreaking havoc for 2000 years. Mixture is poison passed off as medicine. Mixture is a ticking bomb wrapped in ribbons. If grace is God’s best idea, mixing grace with law is the devil’s best idea.

Mix the good news of grace with the bad news of law and you end up with a cheap law that nullifies grace and is no gospel at all (Gal. 1:7). The message of mixture is a distortion of the true gospel of Christ.

—

In the coming weeks, I plan to look at how the message of mixture appears in some of our more popular Bible commentaries.

If you can’t wait, check out my latest study note, “Which Bible Commentaries Are Grace Based (And Which Are Not).” It’s available now on Patreon.

Keywords of Grace and Law

by

Every Bible teaching, sermon or message you have ever heard has been one of three kinds: law-based, grace-based, or a mixture of grace and law.

A law-based interpretation puts the emphasis on you and your works, while a grace-based interpretation puts the emphasis on Christ and his work. Law- and grace-based interpretations can be recognized by their different vocabularies.

Keywords of law

Words that often appear in law-based messages include; you must, you should, work, duty, debt, obligation, perform, produce, lack, service, strive, struggle, suffer, obey, sin, confess, convict, judgment, commandment, guilt, condemnation, penalty and punish.

Keywords of grace

Words that often appear in grace-based messages include; love, faith, rest, forgiven, favor, receive, believe, righteous, justified, accepted, abide, abundance, fullness, fellowship, beloved, sons, children of God, good news, hope, blessed, freedom, spiritual, new creation, life, light, truth, power and Jesus.

(What keywords did I miss? Let me know in the comments below.)

The best kind of message is grace-based. The grace of God is what makes the good news, good news. The gospel of grace reveals the unconditional love of your Father and empowers you to partake in his whole and godly life.

What is the worst kind of message? It is not the law-based message, because any teaching that pushes pure law will soon have you running to Jesus in desperation (see Gal. 3:24).

The most dangerous teaching is the one that mixes grace and law. Such a message will leave you muddled and lukewarm. It will cause you to strive in the flesh and fall from grace. A message of mixture dilutes the law emptying it of its power to condemn our self-righteousness. And mixture also prostitutes your Father’s love by saying you must work to receive what God has freely provided.

New Testament examples

Believe it or not, but examples of all three messages can be found in the New Testament. Before the cross, Jesus preached LAW to those who lived under the law. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus preached a law of conditional forgiveness. “If you do not forgive, God will not forgive you” (Matt. 6:15). Jesus took the diluted law preached by the scribes and Pharisees, and elevated it. “You have heard it said… but I say unto you…” (see Matt. 5:27ff). Jesus magnified the law so that those who were under the law might see their need for a Savior.

After the cross, we got a new covenant and a new message. On the night he rose from the dead, he instructed the apostles to proclaim the forgiveness of sins (Luke 24:47) which underpins the gospel of GRACE. “All is forgiven. God holds nothing against you. Receive his righteousness and be reconciled to God.” (see Acts 13:38, Rom. 5:17, 2 Cor. 5:19–20).

Law, then grace. Old covenant, then new. That’s the Biblical progression. Because of the cross we are no longer under law but grace (Rom. 6:14). In the new covenant of grace, we have no relationship to the law (see Rom. 7:6, Gal. 2:19).

But some New Testament figures missed the transition. Even though Christ’s death on the cross rendered the old covenant obsolete, they acted like they were still under the law.

At the Council of Jerusalem there were some Pharisee-believers who insisted the Gentiles must live under the Law of Moses (Acts 15:5). They preferred law to grace.

In Galatia there were false teachers who insisted the Gentiles keep parts of the law, namely circumcision and special days like the Sabbath (Gal. 4:10, 5:2). The false teachers of Galatia were the first preachers of MIXTURE, and Paul said they were accursed (Gal. 1:9).

The falsest of false gospels

The message of mixture is the worst of all the false gospels. If someone came preaching immorality, you would reject it as licentiousness. If someone came preaching law, you would reject it as legalism. But mixture is subtle. Mixture has enough grace to be appealing and enough law to sound convincing.

The problem is grace and law don’t mix. Mix hot with cold and you’ll end up with something that is neither, and this is what makes mixture a false gospel.

Make no mistake, the message of mixture has been wreaking havoc for 2000 years. Mixture is poison passed off as medicine. Mixture is a ticking bomb wrapped in ribbons. If grace is God’s best idea, mixing grace with law is the devil’s best idea.

Mix the good news of grace with the bad news of law and you end up with a cheap law that nullifies grace and is no gospel at all (Gal. 1:7). The message of mixture is a distortion of the true gospel of Christ.

—

In the coming weeks, I plan to look at how the message of mixture appears in some of our more popular Bible commentaries.

If you can’t wait, check out my latest study note, “Which Bible Commentaries Are Grace Based (And Which Are Not).” It’s available now on Patreon.

Keywords of Grace and Law

by

Every Bible teaching, sermon or message you have ever heard has been one of three kinds: law-based, grace-based, or a mixture of grace and law.

A law-based interpretation puts the emphasis on you and your works, while a grace-based interpretation puts the emphasis on Christ and his work. Law- and grace-based interpretations can be recognized by their different vocabularies.

Keywords of law

Words that often appear in law-based messages include; you must, you should, work, duty, debt, obligation, perform, produce, lack, service, strive, struggle, suffer, obey, sin, confess, convict, judgment, commandment, guilt, condemnation, penalty and punish.

Keywords of grace

Words that often appear in grace-based messages include; love, faith, rest, forgiven, favor, receive, believe, righteous, justified, accepted, abide, abundance, fullness, fellowship, beloved, sons, children of God, good news, hope, blessed, freedom, spiritual, new creation, life, light, truth, power and Jesus.

(What keywords did I miss? Let me know in the comments below.)

The best kind of message is grace-based. The grace of God is what makes the good news, good news. The gospel of grace reveals the unconditional love of your Father and empowers you to partake in his whole and godly life.

What is the worst kind of message? It is not the law-based message, because any teaching that pushes pure law will soon have you running to Jesus in desperation (see Gal. 3:24).

The most dangerous teaching is the one that mixes grace and law. Such a message will leave you muddled and lukewarm. It will cause you to strive in the flesh and fall from grace. A message of mixture dilutes the law emptying it of its power to condemn our self-righteousness. And mixture also prostitutes your Father’s love by saying you must work to receive what God has freely provided.

New Testament examples

Believe it or not, but examples of all three messages can be found in the New Testament. Before the cross, Jesus preached LAW to those who lived under the law. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus preached a law of conditional forgiveness. “If you do not forgive, God will not forgive you” (Matt. 6:15). Jesus took the diluted law preached by the scribes and Pharisees, and elevated it. “You have heard it said… but I say unto you…” (see Matt. 5:27ff). Jesus magnified the law so that those who were under the law might see their need for a Savior.

After the cross, we got a new covenant and a new message. On the night he rose from the dead, he instructed the apostles to proclaim the forgiveness of sins (Luke 24:47) which underpins the gospel of GRACE. “All is forgiven. God holds nothing against you. Receive his righteousness and be reconciled to God.” (see Acts 13:38, Rom. 5:17, 2 Cor. 5:19–20).

Law, then grace. Old covenant, then new. That’s the Biblical progression. Because of the cross we are no longer under law but grace (Rom. 6:14). In the new covenant of grace, we have no relationship to the law (see Rom. 7:6, Gal. 2:19).

But some New Testament figures missed the transition. Even though Christ’s death on the cross rendered the old covenant obsolete, they acted like they were still under the law.

At the Council of Jerusalem there were some Pharisee-believers who insisted the Gentiles must live under the Law of Moses (Acts 15:5). They preferred law to grace.

In Galatia there were false teachers who insisted the Gentiles keep parts of the law, namely circumcision and special days like the Sabbath (Gal. 4:10, 5:2). The false teachers of Galatia were the first preachers of MIXTURE, and Paul said they were accursed (Gal. 1:9).

The falsest of false gospels

The message of mixture is the worst of all the false gospels. If someone came preaching immorality, you would reject it as licentiousness. If someone came preaching law, you would reject it as legalism. But mixture is subtle. Mixture has enough grace to be appealing and enough law to sound convincing.

The problem is grace and law don’t mix. Mix hot with cold and you’ll end up with something that is neither, and this is what makes mixture a false gospel.

Make no mistake, the message of mixture has been wreaking havoc for 2000 years. Mixture is poison passed off as medicine. Mixture is a ticking bomb wrapped in ribbons. If grace is God’s best idea, mixing grace with law is the devil’s best idea.

Mix the good news of grace with the bad news of law and you end up with a cheap law that nullifies grace and is no gospel at all (Gal. 1:7). The message of mixture is a distortion of the true gospel of Christ.

—

In the coming weeks, I plan to look at how the message of mixture appears in some of our more popular Bible commentaries.

If you can’t wait, check out my latest study note, “Which Bible Commentaries Are Grace Based (And Which Are Not).” It’s available now on Patreon.

932. Thoughts About Scriptures

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We're doing a different type of program this week that is more about perspectives designed to give all of us some food for thought. Most of us have been handed down a very wide variety of assumptions and doctrines related to things contained within the pages of the Bible. But along the way, there is also quite a bit we've been told from others about what they think the Bible itself is or how it is perceived. For example, it is often called a book, when it is made up of many books and writings written by many different people. Our assumptions will have an effect on what we see or read within the pages. We also address how "scriptures" are defined.

Letters in the New Testament were written to specific people, often responding to questions that occurred after Paul left from a previous visit. Some of it was meant just for them, but we can still gain great truth from it. There is an incredible historical context that is often overlooked. But ultimately these NT writings were either written or dictated by people who were witnesses of the risen Jesus. He is the reason for the pages ... they don't give life, but Jesus does, and they point to Him as the way to eternal life. In spite of the many things written, He should always be our focus.



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927. The Word of God Is Alive (His Name Is Jesus)

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The problem with taking lengthy passages of scripture and chopping them into individual Bible verses is the frequent attempt to interpret the meaning of each verse. Context gets missed, which can have a domino effect on other interpretations regarding the writings. We give an example from Hebrews 4:12, which states the word of God is living and powerful. Many of us were taught this is a reference to "the Bible." Keep in mind, these people who were receiving this message would have had no idea what a Bible was ... and most of their knowledge about the law and the prophets came from hearing it in the synagogues or other sources not associated with their bookshelf.

We take a closer look at not "what" the writer was referencing ... but "who" they were highlighting in this passage and throughout the letter.



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926. Spiritual Truth Is Revealed by the Spirit of God

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Many of us search the scriptures for truth. On our humble podcast, we've talked for years about these writings and how much they mean to us—we value and embrace them with what can be discovered as we grow in our understanding of the good news of Jesus. But ultimately, gaining more insight or expertise about the Bible will not allow for us to grow to the fullest in the knowledge of the truth. Truth is contained within a person (Jesus Christ), and all truth is ultimately revealed by the Spirit of God—the One sent to guide people into all truth as our comforter and teacher. The absolute true things of God cannot be received intellectually or by human wisdom.

With so many voices (and Bible teachers) out there who are saying so many different things ... our conversation this week is an exhortation not to jump to the wrong conclusion in assuming the Bible somehow replaced God's living Spirit who abides in us ... with an anointing that teaches us in a way that is only spiritually discerned.



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How to Rightly Divide the Word of Truth

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Ever read something in the Bible that seemed to contradict something else in the Bible? I used to be confused about those apparent contradictions, but now I love them. I know that if I dig a little, I will likely uncover a gem.

The entire Bible is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16). But we also need to “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). That well-worn phrase comes from the King James Version. Other translations say we need to accurately handle or rightly handle the word of truth.

How do we do that?

How do we rightly divide the word of truth?

It all comes down to covenants.

In essence there are two questions we should ask when reading any scripture in the Bible: (i) What does this passage mean in light of the cross? And (ii) who is the writer writing to or about?

Let’s start with the cross, which is the dividing point between the old and new covenants (and the single most important event in human history).

Before the cross the old law covenant reigned, but after the cross a new covenant made the old one obsolete (Heb. 8:13).

Under the old covenant you were blessed if you were good, but under the new covenant we are blessed because God is good.

Consider these contrasts:

Before the cross we were blessed when we obeyed and cursed when we disobeyed (Deu. 11:26-28). But after the cross we are blessed because Jesus obeyed and we have been set free from the curse of the law (Eph. 1:3, Gal. 3:13).

Before the cross we forgave in order to earn God’s forgiveness (Matt. 6:14). But at the cross we were unconditionally forgiven and we now forgive because Christ has forgiven us (Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13).

Before the cross loving your neighbor meant not coveting his wife or property (Deu. 5:21). But after the cross we love and accept others because Christ loves and accepts us (1 John 4:19; Rom. 15:7).

Before the cross God was distant and unapproachable (Ex. 19:12). But because of the cross we have been brought near to God to receive mercy and find grace (Eph. 2:13; Heb. 4:16).

Before the cross God held us responsible for our sins and not even sacrifices could clear a guilty conscience (Lev. 5:17; Heb. 9:9). But because of the cross Jesus’ blood cleanses us from a guilty conscience and he remembers our sins no more (Heb. 8:12, 10:22).

Before the cross we said “We will” (Ex. 19:9). But after the cross God says “I will” (Heb. 8:8-12). Before the cross it’s “do, do, do”. After the cross it’s “done, done done”.

Before the cross righteousness was demanded of sinful man (Deu. 6:25). But at the cross righteousness was freely given (Rom. 5:17).

Before the cross Adam’s sin meant condemnation for all men (Rom. 5:18). But because of the cross there is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1).

When we read the Bible we should ask, is this scripture describing the old law covenant which condemns sinners or the new grace covenant which makes sinners righteous? That’s the first question. Here’s the second.

Who’s the audience?

It’s also important to ask who the words were written for, otherwise you might end up taking someone else’s medicine. Because there are two kinds of people – those who put their faith in Jesus and those who don’t – the Holy Spirit uses the scriptures to bring two convictions:

  1. The Holy Spirit seeks to convict the world of unbelief (John 16:9)

If you are an unbeliever, the Holy Spirit (and a good preacher) will use the scriptures to convince you that God is good and trustworthy. Through the Son he will seek to reveal the unfailing love of the Father so that you may believe and have life in his name (John 20:31).

  1. The Holy Spirit convicts Christians of their righteousness (John 16:10)

With so much guilt and condemnation in the world, we who are in Christ often need to be reminded of our right standing before God (2 Cor. 5:21). Much of the New Testament was written to assure Christians that we belong to God our Father and nothing can separate us from his love (Rom. 8:38–39).

The short version: Rightly dividing the word means reading the Bible to see Jesus. It is through a revelation of the Son that we come to understand who God is, how much he loves us, and all the good things he has planned for us.

The entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, reveals Jesus. Read the Bible to see Jesus.

—

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This week on Patreon: “What Pastors Can Learn from Jerry Seinfeld“

How to Rightly Divide the Word of Truth

by

Ever read something in the Bible that seemed to contradict something else in the Bible? I used to be confused about those apparent contradictions, but now I love them. I know that if I dig a little, I will likely uncover a gem.

The entire Bible is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16). But we also need to “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). That well-worn phrase comes from the King James Version. Other translations say we need to accurately handle or rightly handle the word of truth.

How do we do that?

How do we rightly divide the word of truth?

It all comes down to covenants.

In essence there are two questions we should ask when reading any scripture in the Bible: (i) What does this passage mean in light of the cross? And (ii) who is the writer writing to or about?

Let’s start with the cross, which is the dividing point between the old and new covenants (and the single most important event in human history).

Before the cross the old law covenant reigned, but after the cross a new covenant made the old one obsolete (Heb. 8:13).

Under the old covenant you were blessed if you were good, but under the new covenant we are blessed because God is good.

Consider these contrasts:

Before the cross we were blessed when we obeyed and cursed when we disobeyed (Deu. 11:26-28). But after the cross we are blessed because Jesus obeyed and we have been set free from the curse of the law (Eph. 1:3, Gal. 3:13).

Before the cross we forgave in order to earn God’s forgiveness (Matt. 6:14). But at the cross we were unconditionally forgiven and we now forgive because Christ has forgiven us (Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13).

Before the cross loving your neighbor meant not coveting his wife or property (Deu. 5:21). But after the cross we love and accept others because Christ loves and accepts us (1 John 4:19; Rom. 15:7).

Before the cross God was distant and unapproachable (Ex. 19:12). But because of the cross we have been brought near to God to receive mercy and find grace (Eph. 2:13; Heb. 4:16).

Before the cross God held us responsible for our sins and not even sacrifices could clear a guilty conscience (Lev. 5:17; Heb. 9:9). But because of the cross Jesus’ blood cleanses us from a guilty conscience and he remembers our sins no more (Heb. 8:12, 10:22).

Before the cross we said “We will” (Ex. 19:9). But after the cross God says “I will” (Heb. 8:8-12). Before the cross it’s “do, do, do”. After the cross it’s “done, done done”.

Before the cross righteousness was demanded of sinful man (Deu. 6:25). But at the cross righteousness was freely given (Rom. 5:17).

Before the cross Adam’s sin meant condemnation for all men (Rom. 5:18). But because of the cross there is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1).

When we read the Bible we should ask, is this scripture describing the old law covenant which condemns sinners or the new grace covenant which makes sinners righteous? That’s the first question. Here’s the second.

Who’s the audience?

It’s also important to ask who the words were written for, otherwise you might end up taking someone else’s medicine. Because there are two kinds of people – those who put their faith in Jesus and those who don’t – the Holy Spirit uses the scriptures to bring two convictions:

  1. The Holy Spirit seeks to convict the world of unbelief (John 16:9)

If you are an unbeliever, the Holy Spirit (and a good preacher) will use the scriptures to convince you that God is good and trustworthy. Through the Son he will seek to reveal the unfailing love of the Father so that you may believe and have life in his name (John 20:31).

  1. The Holy Spirit convicts Christians of their righteousness (John 16:10)

With so much guilt and condemnation in the world, we who are in Christ often need to be reminded of our right standing before God (2 Cor. 5:21). Much of the New Testament was written to assure Christians that we belong to God our Father and nothing can separate us from his love (Rom. 8:38–39).

The short version: Rightly dividing the word means reading the Bible to see Jesus. It is through a revelation of the Son that we come to understand who God is, how much he loves us, and all the good things he has planned for us.

The entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, reveals Jesus. Read the Bible to see Jesus.

—

Share this article with friends or in your church newsletter. Get grace by email. It’s free!

Got a question about God, the Bible, or life in general? Check out E2R’s growing list of FAQs.

This week on Patreon: “What Pastors Can Learn from Jerry Seinfeld“

How to Rightly Divide the Word of Truth

by

Ever read something in the Bible that seemed to contradict something else in the Bible? I used to be confused about those apparent contradictions, but now I love them. I know that if I dig a little, I will likely uncover a gem.

The entire Bible is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16). But we also need to “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). That well-worn phrase comes from the King James Version. Other translations say we need to accurately handle or rightly handle the word of truth.

How do we do that?

How do we rightly divide the word of truth?

It all comes down to covenants.

In essence there are two questions we should ask when reading any scripture in the Bible: (i) What does this passage mean in light of the cross? And (ii) who is the writer writing to or about?

Let’s start with the cross, which is the dividing point between the old and new covenants (and the single most important event in human history).

Before the cross the old law covenant reigned, but after the cross a new covenant made the old one obsolete (Heb. 8:13).

Under the old covenant you were blessed if you were good, but under the new covenant we are blessed because God is good.

Consider these contrasts:

Before the cross we were blessed when we obeyed and cursed when we disobeyed (Deu. 11:26-28). But after the cross we are blessed because Jesus obeyed and we have been set free from the curse of the law (Eph. 1:3, Gal. 3:13).

Before the cross we forgave in order to earn God’s forgiveness (Matt. 6:14). But at the cross we were unconditionally forgiven and we now forgive because Christ has forgiven us (Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13).

Before the cross loving your neighbor meant not coveting his wife or property (Deu. 5:21). But after the cross we love and accept others because Christ loves and accepts us (1 John 4:19; Rom. 15:7).

Before the cross God was distant and unapproachable (Ex. 19:12). But because of the cross we have been brought near to God to receive mercy and find grace (Eph. 2:13; Heb. 4:16).

Before the cross God held us responsible for our sins and not even sacrifices could clear a guilty conscience (Lev. 5:17; Heb. 9:9). But because of the cross Jesus’ blood cleanses us from a guilty conscience and he remembers our sins no more (Heb. 8:12, 10:22).

Before the cross we said “We will” (Ex. 19:9). But after the cross God says “I will” (Heb. 8:8-12). Before the cross it’s “do, do, do”. After the cross it’s “done, done done”.

Before the cross righteousness was demanded of sinful man (Deu. 6:25). But at the cross righteousness was freely given (Rom. 5:17).

Before the cross Adam’s sin meant condemnation for all men (Rom. 5:18). But because of the cross there is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1).

When we read the Bible we should ask, is this scripture describing the old law covenant which condemns sinners or the new grace covenant which makes sinners righteous? That’s the first question. Here’s the second.

Who’s the audience?

It’s also important to ask who the words were written for, otherwise you might end up taking someone else’s medicine. Because there are two kinds of people – those who put their faith in Jesus and those who don’t – the Holy Spirit uses the scriptures to bring two convictions:

  1. The Holy Spirit seeks to convict the world of unbelief (John 16:9)

If you are an unbeliever, the Holy Spirit (and a good preacher) will use the scriptures to convince you that God is good and trustworthy. Through the Son he will seek to reveal the unfailing love of the Father so that you may believe and have life in his name (John 20:31).

  1. The Holy Spirit convicts Christians of their righteousness (John 16:10)

With so much guilt and condemnation in the world, we who are in Christ often need to be reminded of our right standing before God (2 Cor. 5:21). Much of the New Testament was written to assure Christians that we belong to God our Father and nothing can separate us from his love (Rom. 8:38–39).

The short version: Rightly dividing the word means reading the Bible to see Jesus. It is through a revelation of the Son that we come to understand who God is, how much he loves us, and all the good things he has planned for us.

The entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, reveals Jesus. Read the Bible to see Jesus.

—

Share this article with friends or in your church newsletter. Get grace by email. It’s free!

Got a question about God, the Bible, or life in general? Check out E2R’s growing list of FAQs.

This week on Patreon: “What Pastors Can Learn from Jerry Seinfeld“

925. Christians Never Disagree About the Bible (Just Kidding) – A Holy Spirit Solution

by

We call it The Bible. A collection of writings that have resulted in millions of never-ending interpretations, opinions, doctrines and debates. There are thousands of Christian church denominations that have very, very different viewpoints on what should be considered foundational aspects of the faith. And yet, they all claim the Bible is their foundation for what they believe. Weird, right?

People begin to wonder what is true and what is not when it comes to understanding a Bible verse or passage ... or ideologies about the writings. They begin looking for someone or something to which they can subscribe and believe. Should the main focus be placed on proper interpretation of the Bible books ... or will this outcome just result in frustration and uncertainty?

The pages themselves tell us where to look and who we can trust. It doesn't come from an outside or external source that we can see, hear, and touch, but from within.



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