By Mari

(All caps for emphasis only)

SWORDS: Strong Women Of Rightly Dividing Studies)

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Wrong Teaching: Part 2

Let us take a look at just one of the wrong teachings that is being taught as truth, when it is false.

1. Mixing Law with Grace.

Religions are famous for mixing up law and grace because they do not rightly divide the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15) They mix up the Old Testament with the New Testament AND Paul’s mystery gospel of grace.

Religion does not understand that faith accompanied by works is NOT part of our salvation today. Faith and works WERE part of the overall plan for Israel.

However:

Members of the body of Christ are NOT Israel.

Members of the body of Christ are NOT under the Law.

Members of the body of Christ are NOT under covenants.

Members of the body of Christ are a NEW creature in Christ.

Members of the body of Christ are under grace.

While the whole Bible is FOR us…the whole Bible is not TO us! The message and gospel for all today is found in Romans through Philemon. The Apostle Paul’s epistles.

Today, we are saved by grace through faith, NOT our works, and it is the GIFT of God.

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Today, AFTER we have believed the gospel (1 Cor 15:1-4) we have a ministry to testify the gospel of the grace of God to the lost, and our command is to make all men (saved and lost) see what is this fellowship of the mystery!

Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

Act 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Here is just ONE example of rightly dividing so we can KNOW and learn with confidence, what IS for us today! We can understand easily how religions, denominations, non-denominations do not know how to rightly divide the word of truth and are teaching a mix of law and grace.

These religions have all kinds of twisted explanations as to how James and Paul are saying the same thing (!?), because they must or it goes against their own wrong doctrines. Even though the Scriptures themselves are quite plainly, and clearly stated that they are very DIFFERENT. James IS to Israel and commands they MUST have the works of the law accompany their faith or their faith it is dead.

The Apostle Paul says “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that NOT of yourselves because it is THE gift of God! NOT of works so no one can boast!”

This example may reveal to you how your religion/ denomination /non-denominational preacher/teacher is DENYING the gospel of the grace of God! Mixing law and grace into another gospel that does not save at all! But has you working to get saved and stay saved. This is wrong teaching!

James is written to the 12 TRIBES of ISRAEL. NOT to the body of Christ where there is neither Jew nor Gentile! I think it ALSO helps to know that James is written to tribulation saints who must endure to the end to be saved! (WE have a very present salvation!)

Let’s take a look as the very salutation tells us who the Apostle James (one of the 12 Apostles) is addressing this information to…

Jas 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the TWELVE TRIBES (ISRAEL) which are scattered abroad, greeting.

We see clearly in the verses below that the Apostle James is telling ISRAEL their faith is NOT acceptable WITHOUT the works of the Law, else their faith is DEAD!

(Caps are mine!)

Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and HAVE NOT WORKS? can faith save him?

Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it HATH NOT WORKS, is dead, being alone.

Jas 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD?

Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that BY WORKS a man is justified, and NOT BY FAITH ONLY

The words of James are very distinct…and keep in mind…they are TRUE. TO and FOR ISRAEL.

The Apostle Paul (who is NOT one of the 12 Apostles), who was made a chosen vessel unto the Lord (Acts 9:15), the Apostle to the UNCIRCUMCISON/Gentiles (Galatians 2:7) to bring the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24), from the RISEN Christ (Acts 9:3-6). Keep in mind that Paul is OUR PATTERN today and said this:

Eph 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

1Ti 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

Rom 6:14-15 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

1Ti 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a PATTERN TO THEM WHICH SHOULD HEREAFTER BELIEVE ON HIM TO LIFE EVERLASTING.

1Co 15:3-4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Today our salvation is a FREE Gift from God by His GRACE through faith. Our Works are NOT necessary for our salvation because we BELIEVE and rely on the FINISHED work of Jesus Christ on the cross and His bodily resurrection.