GraceUncovered

Authors home articles Gracelife

GRACE BLOGS COLLECTION

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

by

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.



Download  GIGBite  YouTube

Get the book

781. Paul and James: The Elephant in the Bible Room

by

Christian theologians have always been concerned about the elephant in the room – the quandary or controversy regarding what appear to be conflicting statements by Paul and James about justification, salvation and righteousness. This week, we continue looking at the apparent differences or viewpoints between them and how it does not take away from the truth within the Bible as a whole or Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords. Interestingly, both men use Abraham as the example to make their case (examples in Romans 4 and James 2). They both quote Genesis 15:6 about how Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness.

Paul dives into a much longer explanation, using the context that Abraham was declared righteous by faith before any work was performed, including circumcision … when he believed God would provide a child. Whereas James jumps out of context to when Isaac was taken to the altar. If one is going to tout a mixture of faith plus works when it comes to salvation, those who hold to James’ view will need to be much more specific on exactly what type of works or action is needed to maintain their justification. That ingredient is always missing, leaving people in doubt and fear instead of peace.



Download  GIGBite  YouTube

Get the book

767. “Delight in the Law of the Lord”

by

In the first Psalm, we see one of many writings referring to the law that the writers were under. They make a declaration that one who avoids wickedness finds delight in the law of the Lord, while meditating on it "every once in a while in their free time." Actually no, it states they needed to meditate day and night … and by doing so, they would prosper.

On this side of the cross, we now know that law which Israel was under couldn’t deliver the right-standing with God that they were seeking. Prosperity came only by an element of grace because nobody ever met the requirement of the law. Today, we don’t meditate on that law which has been declared obsolete, weak and useless when it comes to attaining life or sanctification. We aren’t under it and Israel was freed from it! They’ll even try to interchange the word “Word” by substituting it for what the Scripture calls “law.” So be on the lookout when the pulpit tries to twist the context.



Download  GIGBite  YouTube

Get the book

738. Hebrews 4: The Word (Jesus) Is Alive and Powerful

by

Our walk through Hebrews has us in Chapter 4, where we discover Jesus allowed us to enter into rest by faith, contrasted with those under the first covenant who did not enter because of unbelief. Verse 12 declares the word of God is living and powerful, able to divide soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

A collection of books known as the Bible, which gradually came into existence over a lengthy period of time, is not able to do this. But Jesus can. He is the Word that was manifested among us. He is our only High Priest. He was the focus leading up to Verse 12, and He remains the subject in the spotlight throughout this writing.



Download  GIGBite  YouTube

Get the book

735. Hebrews 1: God Has Spoken to Us Through His Son

by

Welcome to a series where we will provide an overview of the book of Hebrews. We will sift and skim some highlights to help provide context of these very important writings when it comes to realizing the grace and truth that came through Jesus Christ … and the differences between an expired Old Covenant and a New and better covenant.

The writer starts off in Chapter One by pointing out to Jewish believers that God had formerly spoken to them—their ancestors—through the prophets (and the writings related those prophets). But now in these days, He has spoken through His Son, who has been appointed an heir of all things, through whom the world was made.



Download  GIGBite  YouTube

Get the book

699. Our Life Is Not Found in the Bible

by

The Scriptures have been a centerpiece of our program over the past 14 years. But many “Christian” programs, churches, and ministries can make that claim. You’ve probably noticed there is a wide variety of opinions and interpretations as individual verses or passages can leave people in a place of bondage, hungering and thirsting for righteousness because the good news of the gospel is often missing. Much of this stems from mistakenly trying to apply the Old Covenant of law and mixing it with New Covenant grace. The written publication we know as “The Bible” hasn’t always existed. It went through many transformations with how it came to be published and continues to do so today. For centuries, most people never had easy access to these writings as many of us do today. How did they survive spiritually? It was by the life of Christ through God’s Spirit living in them. Of course we cherish the Scriptures and we know God is able to reveal actual truth to us by His Spirit when we are taught by Him. But those pages are not where life is attained or sustained… they point to the one and only source of Life - the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.



Download  GIGBite  YouTube

Get the book

698. Is it “Biblical”? (Part 2)

by

Is it biblical? When we hear this question, usually someone is asking if it’s in the Bible. Another motivation may be to find out if it’s a principle based upon the truth of the Bible. Since anyone can quote Bible verses and appear to be fitting them into a jigsaw puzzle in order to create a picture which fits their own belief system, this question may be overemphasized. It’s also interesting to see how many things found within the Mosaic law are sometimes considered as a part of Christianity, while other things within the very same pages are completely ignored. For example, in Deuteronomy 22, there are instructions on what to do if you come across a bird’s nest in a tree or on the ground. Following the instructions to the letter would mean… “that it may be well with you and that you may prolong your days.” It’s as “biblical” as any other of the 613 commandments and statutes but it's hardly a mantra of the church today. So while the church continues to pick and choose old covenant commands to be considered “biblical” from a doctrinal perspective, they fail to realize you either have to follow the entire law or it all had to come to an end. Christ became the end of the law.



Download  GIGBite  YouTube

Get the book

697. Is it “Biblical”? (Part 1)

by

The first part of this week’s program wraps up what we’ve been discussing… with a reminder about the legalistic minded who quote certain passages which they think implies our eternal life and inheritance is based upon what we do and how we behave. We’re not dismissing the importance of behavior, but our inheritance is not based on that. The second half of the program starts a new conversation about the “biblical” catch phrase we often find in Christianity. We’re often trying to define and determine what is “biblical” and what is not. Another saying that is commonly heard is whether they are a “Bible believing church.” Just what does it mean when we determine whether something is deemed to be biblical while another version of belief is not? We’ll be laying down some thoughts that may cause people to reconsider how they define what is biblical.



Download  GIGBite  YouTube

Get the book

Jesus: The Eternal, Living Word of God

by

In this teaching, we must start with agreement concerning what we value and hold dear about the Holy Scriptures. Anytime our view contradicts the biblical view, serious problems arise.

It’s why people have so many varied views of God and the Gospel, and why there are over 45,000 different denominations!

There are many who suggest that the Bible is not trustworthy and reliable!

I wholeheartedly believe that it is the holy and inspired Word of God, given to us through the Holy Spirit.

The Bible is absolutely reliable and totally trustworthy!

The Integrity of the Scriptures

Paul told Timothy, in 2 Timothy 3:15-17, that Scripture is holy (sacred, set apart or consecrated to God), containing the wisdom, understanding and instruction concerning salvation, through faith in the finished work of Jesus. And all Scripture is inspired (breathed out of God) and profitable (helpful, advantageous) for…

  • Doctrine – learning, teaching, and instruction
  • Reproof – evidence or proof, having conviction
  • Correction – to straighten up again, to rectify and reform
  • Instruction – to tutor, educate and train; nurture
  • In righteousness – specifically speaks of (Christian) justification.

The Scriptures are undoubtedly inspired by God to teach and instruct us with the evidence and proof necessary to reform our thinking, educate us in the truth of our right-standing with God and make us proficient in the message of the Gospel—thoroughly equipped to do “good works.”

The Bible is absolutely reliable and totally trustworthy!

The Inerrancy of Scripture

There is no conflict in God! God’s not the one who is con- fused. The only contradictions and conflicts that exist are because of our interpretation of God.

2 Peter 1:20-21 clears it up by saying that Holy men, moved by the Holy Spirit, accurately recorded biblical history, events, encounters, genealogy, conversations and prophetic utterances!

The Bible inerrantly records the contradictions, errors and lies, and it makes no mistakes in reporting the events, proclaiming the truth, and recording the revelation of God’s will.

The Real Benefit of Scripture

We can learn a very valuable lesson from Jesus’ conversation with the Pharisees in John 5!

“You search and investigate and pore over the SCRIPTURES diligently, because you suppose and trust that you have eternal life through them. AND THESE [VERY SCRIPTURES] TESTIFY

ABOUT ME! And still you are not willing [but refuse] TO COME TO ME, so that you might have LIFE.” —John 5:39-40 (KJV) [emphasis mine]

Jesus said that one of the main purposes of Scripture is to be a witness that declares and reveals the true Word of God, Jesus Christ, to us!

It’s how we connect to the Living Word of God (Jesus) and the power of God (the Gospel).

That’s why the authority, reliability and integrity of Scripture is so important. Only in Jesus can we have and enjoy (Zoe) life— not just in the Scriptures!

God has fully and perfectly revealed Himself in and through Jesus Christ.

If Scripture is read and studied correctly, it will always point us to Jesus, “The True, Eternal and Inerrant Word of God!”

686. Danger: Elevating the “Good Book” Above the Person of Jesus

by

Have you ever wondered how people have been spiritually nourished and sustained when they never had exposure to what we call The Holy Bible? It’s easy to forget in our modern-day western civilization, but Bibles haven’t been collecting dust on living room tables for most centuries since the time of the cross.

If you’ve been listening to the Growing in Grace podcast for any length of time, you know we cherish the information and revelation found within the pages of the Scriptures. But even as believers in Christ, our understanding of them is far from perfect, it can be easy for us to misinterpret various things or begin to filter our limited understanding through doctrines of men and denominational dogma. Unfortunately, at times, we may be doing the same thing some of the Jews did before the cross - elevating the written pages above the Person to whom the writings bear witness. Those Jews knew the Scriptures and thought they would find life within those writings… but they did not have His Word in them because they refused to come to Jesus - the only One who could give life.

Jesus put it this way when speaking to them: “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life” (John 5:39-40 ESV).

Jesus did not say, “I and the Bible are one.” He is supreme compared to scrolls and predominant over publishers. Jesus is the living Word that has been around before there was a beginning. Be thankful for the Scriptures, because they bear witness of the Son… but ultimately, life comes from one source - not the pages, but the Person - Jesus Christ. He stated that it would be the Spirit of truth who would abide in us and now be our guide. He is the one we should all agree to rally around and trust in together - not our flimsy theology.



Download  GIGBite  YouTube

Get the book

685. Is Everything in the Bible Written to Us Directly?

by

Everything within God’s written Word is there for a reason. Sometimes this can cause Christians to assume that everything within each passage is somehow meant to be applied directly to our lives. God must have some sort of secret meaning or hidden message that we need to tap into in order for us to gain wisdom for our current situation or for the next step in our lives. Millions of sermons continue to be built upon this premise. Often, we’re trying to figure out how to make “verses” relevant for us today, but there are times when that isn’t why it was written. Our conversation this week revolves around the importance of context within the Scriptures. Not only the context of the passage, but the context of the two primary covenants upon which the entire Bible is based upon.



Download  GIGBite  YouTube

EXTRA: On this week's podcast Kap mentioned a public speaking appearance of his from last year. Here is his 40 minute message on YouTube.


Get the book

Authentic Christians

by

The two letters to the Thessalonians teach us much about the second coming of Christ. Yet they also teach us much about the Word of God. Of course, without the Bible we would not know anything about the second coming! If these two letters were written early in the life of young church as the… Read More

The post Authentic Christians appeared first on Positive Words.

Categories

Recent Posts