THE BOOK OF HEBREWS - CORRECTLY USED

The book of Hebrews is a wonderful letter written to the Jewish believers, probably living in Jerusalem. It declares the glorious divinity of Jesus, His eternal heavenly priesthood on our behalf, the finished work of the Cross, the sufficiency and uniqueness of His blood and the Grace of a new and better Covenant. It is an important letter for us all, in that establishes the replacing of the Old Mosaic Law Covenant by a New Covenant of Jesus’ Grace along with the foundational truth that no other sacrifice except that of Jesus, is effective in dealing with sin.

Heb 1:3 “The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven”.

THE MISUNDERSTANDING OF KEY SCRIPTURES IN HEBREWS

Sadly, some parts of the book of Hebrews have been badly misunderstood and are being widely misused and quoted out of context by those who oppose The Gospel of Grace (Acts.20:24). Therefore, we need to be clear on how to rebuff these arguments that undermine the sufficiency and the finished work of the cross and rob Jesus of His glory. Certain scriptures from Hebrews, quoted in isolation can lead to condemnation, a lack of confidence and a waning assurance in the enduring sufficiency of the Cross. These scriptures need clarification in light of our foundational New Covenant beliefs that we are saved only by grace through faith and not by works (i), that we  proclaim the Gospel of Grace (ii), the Spirit of Grace (Heb.10:29) and Jesus’ New Covenant (Heb:10:16-17).

THE BATTLE BETWEEN GRACE AND LAW

Firstly, we must again reiterate that one of the major issues addressed by all the letters of the New Testament was the division in the Early Church between those who believed Jesus' work on the cross to be sufficient for all sin and those that wanted to add Mosaic Law and religious rules to the Cross. Basically the fight was between two opposing camps.... 1) Salvation and living by Jesus' Grace alone. 2) A mixing of Grace and Laws.

This battle arose because the Early Church was made up of two distinct groups, Jews and Gentiles, both of whom had strong but opposing cultures. For more detail on these divisions see the teaching The context of Pauls letters. By the way the battle between Law and Grace still continues today.

THE CONTEXT OF HEBREWS

The first thing that maybe a revelation to many modern Christians is that the letter of Hebrews was written to Jews and not to Gentile  – I’m stating the obvious, that’s why it’s called Hebrews. Unlike most of the letters (except James) it was not addressed to a specific church, to an individual believer or to the saints (meaning born again believers) but to Jews of various beliefs with regard to Jesus who were influencing the church in Jerusalem. This is a crucial point to understand as it was written to a specific people, the Jews interested in,  or  to committed to Jesus, for a specific purpose of bringing them free from the Law, their traditions and the Temple sacrifices. However as I said before it is also an important book for everyone, especially in the African context where many false teachers are mixing Christianity with ancestor veneration and animal sacrifices, just like the Jews of Paul time.

TO JEWS WITH CHRISTIAN LEANINGS

The tone of the book of Hebrews indicates that it is addressed to a mixed bunch who were either Christian or dappling in Christianity. Today there are many Jews who identify themselves as Christians, or with Jesus teachings, and still maintain their Jewish cultural identity. These Jewish background believers as well as Messianic congregations can be found throughout the world. Praise God! The common thread is that they all recognize Jesus as the Jewish Messiah. However as in Paul’s day, within the modern Jewish Christian / Messianic camp there are many different beliefs with regard to what it means to follow Jesus, who Jesus is, what He did on the cross and how this affects a Jews obligation to both Jewish cultural traditions and the Law of Moses.

In Paul’s day, we have shown in the link above, that there was a huge debate going on over these very issues. Even Peter, James and Barnabas, who like Paul all grew up as Jews, fell into error and sometimes even came out against Paul’s “grace only” teaching.

MIXED BELIEFS ABOUT JESUS

Like today, the Jewish “Christians” of Paul’s time had a mixed bag of beliefs about Jesus. Many knew about Jesus, but did not know Jesus as Lord and Savior - they were not “Born Again” (Jn.3:3) and not all were saved despite their interest in Jesus. Even some of his closest disciples did not fully understand who Jesus was and eventually fell away. Here are some of the beliefs the Jews had about Jesus, some of which The Book of Hebrews was correcting.

1. Like Moses, Jesus was a powerful and good Jewish Rabbi (teacher) – but nothing more (iii).
2. He was the Messiah /Savior that would save Israel from Rome’s occupation and establish the final Messianic Jewish Kingdom (iv).
3. He was the prophet Moses had spoken of – but not the Son of God (v).
4. He was the Son of God to be worshipped (vi).
5. He was the Lamb of God that would take away the sin of the world (vii).
6. He was a God given sacrifice to unite Israel (viii)
7. A blasphemer and false prophet (ix).

The Jews in Jerusalem were struggling and many had their feet in both camps, Christianity and Legalistic Judaism. Hebrews tries to draw them fully into Christ.

(To give you a taste of what some Messianic Jews believe here is a link to a Messianic fellowship in Israel Shema- what is Messianic Judaism?)

THE JEWISH ISSUES ADDRESSED IN HEBREWS

The general themes of the book of Hebrews are:-

Chapter 1: Jesus was divine and provided a finished atonement for sin (1:3)

Chapter 2:  A call for the Jews to pay attention and receive Jesus’ salvation (2:3).

Chapter 3: Jesus is greater than Moses, but the Jews had hardened their heart to the gospel and were still in the sin of unbelief (3:12).

Chapter 4: Like their forefathers were still trying to obtain their righteousness by works (4:10) instead of accepting and resting in the finished work of the cross (Ro.9:31-10:4).

Chapter 5: They were spiritual infants, they did not understand that true righteousness is a gift received by faith (5:13).

Chapter 6:  Many of these Jews had heard the gospel and knew the doctrines of Christ and they had seen the Holy Spirit’s miracles. Sadly they still chose Moses Law and the Temple’s animal sacrifices over Jesus' sacrifice. Having known what Jesus had done on the Cross and then rejecting it for another sacrifice, they could not have their minds changed (6:4). To repentant actually means to change one’s mind and actions and this they refused to do, they would not give up their animal sacrifices. They may have followed Jesus as a Rabbi but they would not accept his sacrifice for their sins and therefore were lost - and in fact were never saved in the first place.

Chapter 7: They were still following the Levitical Priests in the Temple and seeking perfection through the Law instead of righteousness though Jesus, our Eternal High Priest in heaven.

Chapter 8: These Jews were being called to let go of the Old Mosaic Covenant and fully embrace Jesus' New Covenant in which their sins are totally forgiven (8:12).

Chapter 9: These Jews were rejecting Jesus' blood sacrifice and still attending the Temple sacrifices (9:12). They were basically claiming that the blood of Jesus was not good enough and they could not enter into Jesus' salvation because they could not let go of the Laws animal sin sacrifices that were so much part of their traditional culture.

Chapter 10: Here the Law is declared as set aside by the New Covenant (10:9). Those Jews who kept sinning through unbelief, despite knowing the good news of Jesus' gospel - cannot be saved (10:26). Anyone rejecting grace and Jesus' blood as sufficient is eternally condemned (10:26-29).

Chapter 11: These Jews are reminded that the father of the Jewish people was Abraham who received righteousness by faith (11:6). Their father was not Moses who taught righteousness by Law - which always failed to produce righteousness.

Chapter 12: The Jews are reminded that the sin of unbelief had always hindered Israel and the Lord had often disciplined and punished them for it (12:5) and yet they still rejected Him (12:14). They were now called to leave the Law given on Mount Sinai and come into the New Covenant through Jesus blood (12:24).

WE CANNOT LOOSE OUR SALVATION IF TRULY SAVED

Hebrews 6:6 and 10:26 are often misquoted to teach that if a Christian backslides or deliberately sins, they lose their salvation. It can be seen that when they are taken in their correct context these scriptures mean neither of these things. Using these scriptures in this incorrect way shows a complete misunderstanding of God’s Grace, righteousness, the work of the cross and how we are saved in the first place. Our salvation is not and never was, conditional on our performance (i) or our self righteousness. Salvation has and will always be God unearned and undeserved gift of God’s love to all who would take hold of it in faith. If salvation is based on our performance then we are all lost (x) because at some point in our lives, if we are honest, we may either backslide or may intentionally sin – without grace, no one is righteous, so if we say we haven’t or won’t then we are deceived and are self righteous.

The parable of the Prodigal son (Luke 15:22) clearly teaches that the Father never lets His sons go, once a son always a son, even if you reject being a son. We may be unfaithful to God but he will never be unfaithful to us. He will never let’s those who are truly saved walk away, it’s no longer our choice. We no longer live but Christ lives in us (xi), we are now an inseparable part of Him. We are sealed eternally by the Holy Spirit (xii).

RESCUED BUT THEN THROWN TO THE SHARKS

Teaching that we can lose our salvation is like a Coast Guard who rescues his own son from drowning only later to throw him back in the sea because he behaves badly or is not grateful enough. Come on, God’s not like that.

So brothers and sisters, be of good cheer and get rid of any doubt that you can lose your salvation, it’s a lie that denies the effectiveness of the Cross and God’s unconditional love. If you are a “back slider” or have deliberately sinned and allowed that to separate you from God, call out to the Father and receive His forgiveness and love once again. He will empower you in grace to hold the course and say no to sin.

Be loved and blessed, Jesus is Lord!

www.gracelovetruth.com

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THE SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES

(i)                  Eph 2:8  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—Eph 2:9  not by works, so that no one can boast.

(ii)                Act 20:24  However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. Act 20:25  "Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again.

(iii)               Joh.3:2  He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."

(iv)              Act 1:6  So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"

(v)                Joh 6:66  From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

(vi)              Mat 14:33  Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

(vii)             Joh 1:29  The next day John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

(viii)           Joh 11:49  Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, "You know nothing at all! Joh 11:50  You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish." Joh 11:51  He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, Joh 11:52  and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.

(ix)              Mat 26:63  Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." Mat 26:64  "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."Mat 26:65  Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.

(x)                Rom 3:9  What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. Rom 3:10  As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one.

(xi)              Gal 2:20  I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

(xii)             Eph 1:13  And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,

UNDERSTANDING THE KEY ISSUES OF PAUL'S LETTERS

To properly understand some of the most important parts of the New Testament and to be properly founded in the New Covenant and Jesus' Gospel of Grace (Acts 20:24) we need understand one of  the major issue which most of Paul's letters were addressing. READ SCRIPTURE IN IT'S CONTEXT

Scriptures are often quoted out of context, when this a happens they can take on a totally different meaning. As the saying goes " A scripture taken out of context is a con". A very important principle is that the context of scripture is essential to correctly understanding scripture. For instance  Jesus said : Mat 5:29-30 "If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away..... And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away." We all know that there is no was way Jesus expected us to go around doing this, otherwise we'd be a church of one eyed, one handed people. However taken out of context some may justify doing exactly what it says - as they do in Saudi Arabia. Taken in context of the whole teaching which starts at Mat.5:1 and ends in Mat.7:28 we see that the actual issue was the self righteousness of the Pharisee and the Jews not the chopping off or hands and digging out of eyes (see The Sermon on the Mount).

THE CONTEXT OF DIVISION IN THE EARLY CHURCH

The major issue of Paul's day was the division(i) and conflict within each church between Christians from a Jewish background and Christians from a Gentile (Pagan) background. Even Peter and James (i) fell into the trap of legalistic division and Paul rebuked them for it.

"So what!" you may say? "I don't have any religious Jews in my church". That may be true, but this basic issue is still evident today among all Christians and it affects the way we read the scriptures, the personal way we understand the gospel and live out grace.

THE DIVISION BETWEEN LAW KEEPERS AND GRACE FOLLOWERS

The conflict between these two groups, Jews and Gentiles, arose because ... 1. The Christians from a Jewish background believed that they were more Godly and holy because they and their families had kept Gods Law for generations (ii). They believed that their "Jewish culture" had refined them and made them a holy people. They believed that they came into the church with a holy advantage, a holy credit, earned by their families generational good works in keeping the Law of Moses. 2. Sadly these Jewish Christians looked down on, and judged the Christians (iii) with a Greek/Roman culture because their culture was idolatrous and prone to be sexually immoral. Admittedly many of the Greek believers had not fully come free from the "free love" that their culture permitted and in Jewish eyes this made them second class Christians. However the Jewish believers secretly did the dame things! (iv). 3. The Jewish Christians believed the Gentile (Greek/Roman) Christians needed a good dose of Mosaic Law to get their lives right. After all they claimed "It worked for us Jews". 4. Intrinsically these judgmental Christian Jewish believers did not believe that Gods grace and the Spirit of Christ in the new Gentile Christians was enough for their sanctification. 5. They proclaimed to the Gentiles "The Law is needed as we are all saved by grace but only the Law can control the immoral lives of our The Christian Gentiles". This self righteous attitude of the Jewish believers and their call to implement the Law to curb the Gentile sin was found throughout the church, in Rome (v), Galatia (vi), Corinth, Ephesus and it caused great hurt and division in the churches.

It is this error that Paul's letters address: 1) Holiness and righteousness is by the grace of Jesus Christ only (vii). 2) The keeping of laws imposed on us by others no longer has a place in the Christian life (viii). 3) We are now lead by God's Spirit and God's Word living in us (xi) and not by rules, cannons, regulations and laws.

The interesting thing that has been missed is that Paul points out to the Jewish Christians is that their Godly inheritance and history was actually far from holy. As even though their Jewish ancestors knew and heard God (unlike the Pagan nations) they still chose to worship idols and engage in sexual immorality right under Gods nose .... Even when the Mosaic Law was being given at Mount Sinai. Paul rebukes the Jewish believers in Romans 1:21-25 because of their sins (x) listed in (xi) (Jer.32:34)(Ezek.8:10) (Jdg.19:22) (Exo.32:1-6): Basically Paul says "How dare you judge the Gentiles who didn't know God when you and your forefathers, who did know God, chose to do the very same things. So much for Israel's Law keeping you holy, you self-righteous hypocrites!!"

People, the same applies today. We are called to live in the grace of Jesus Christ, He alone can enable us to live holy (xii) not outside laws and rules imposed on us by others. We are righteous by the blood, lead by the Spirit and empowered by the Word.

When we read the Bible let us read and seek revelation with the glasses of Grace on, not with the glasses of law.

Praise God. www.gracelovetruth.com

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THE SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES

(i) Gal 2:11 When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Gal 2:12 Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. Gal 2:13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. Gal 2:14 When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? Gal 2:15 "We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' Gal 2:16 know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.

(ii) Rom 2:17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God; Rom 2:18 if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law.

(iii) Rom 2:1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

(iv) Rom 2:23 You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? Rom 2:24 As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."

(v) Rom 4:13 It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. Rom 4:14 For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless, Rom 4:15 because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.

(vi) Gal 3:1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. Gal 3:2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Gal 3:3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Gal 3:4 Have you suffered so much for nothing—if it really was for nothing? Gal 3:5 Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?

(vii) 1Co. 1:30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

(viii) Rom 2:27 The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker. Rom 2:28 A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. Rom 2:29 No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code.

(ix) Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

(x) Rom 1:21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Rom 1:22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools Rom 1:23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Rom 1:24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. Rom 1:25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

(xi) Jer 32:34  They set up their abominable idols in the house that bears my Name and defiled it.  Eze 8:10 So I went into the Temple and looked, and I saw portrayed all over the walls all kinds of crawling things and detestable animals and all the idols of the house of Israel.  Jdg 19:22 While they were enjoying themselves, some of the wicked men of the city surrounded the house. Pounding on the door, they shouted to the old man who owned the house, "Bring out the man who came to your house so we can have sex with him." Exo 32:5 When Aaron saw this, he built an altar in front of the calf and announced, "Tomorrow there will be a festival to the LORD." So the next day the people rose early and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.

(xii) Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. Tit 2:12 It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.

TEST FOR GRACE

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF SOMETHING IS GRACE OR LAW?

We need to live in Jesus' grace by the leading of the Holy Spirit. It's important that we, God's people, free ourselves from the ministry of the Law (i) because the Bible teaches that the Law brings condemnation and death (ii) - these manifest in passivity, depression and sickness (iii). Sadly brothers and sisters many believes are experiencing this horrible fruit of the Law, often convinced that it's God punishing them or training them.

Because most of us have grown up with a mixture of grace and religious law, many find it hard to distinguish whether what they are hearing or thinking is rooted in grace or Law. One can't generalize but over the years I have found  that Believers can test by asking the following questions. This simple test that will normally expose if the root is Law or Grace.

1. If it points to Jesus and what He has done for us on the cross - it's normally grace. If it points to you and what you should be doing for God - its normally Law.

2. If the fruit in you is condemnation or guilt - it's Law. If the fruit in you is freedom - it's grace

3. If it's about God's judgment and punishment - it's Law. If it's about God' love and forgiveness - it's grace.

4. If it harps on about your sinfulness - it's Law. If it focuses on your Christ given righteousness - it's grace.

5. If it's about, techniques, methods and principles - it's Law. If it's about hearing and being lead by the Holy Spirit - it's grace.

6. If it restricts or discourages you form sharing and ministering - it's Law. If it encourages and releases you to share and minister - it's grace.

7. If it causes you to judge others - it's Law. If it causes you to see the God given potential in others - it's grace.

8. If it from the Old Testament without pointing to Jesus or the New Covenant - it's Law If it reveals Jesus and the good news of His New Covenant - it's grace.

9. If it accuses you, like Satan the accuser,- it's Law If it affirms you - it's grace

10. If it's focus is on you being God's servant or slave - it's Law If it  declares you to be a beloved child of The Father, who is about the Fathers work - it's grace.

11. If it's about your performance  - it's Law. If it's about resting in Christ - it's grace

12. If it's focus is you obeying - it's Law. If it's about Jesus' obedience - it's grace.

13. If it declares you cursed - it's Law. If it declares you blessed - it's grace.

14. If the focus on what you sow - it's Law. If the focus is on what Jesus has sown on the cross - it's grace.

15. If it causes to to fear and run away from God - it's Law. If it stirs up faith and intimacy with God - it's grace.

There are many more that I'm sure you can think of, let me know. Be wise and be discerning, test all things, including this.

Blessing and love to you in Christ.

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THE SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES

(i) Gal 3:1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.  I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?  Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? (ii)Deu 28:15 However, if you do not obey the LORD your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees (The Law) that I, Moses, am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you........ (iii) 2Co 3:7 Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was,  will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?  If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!

GRACE 3: MIXING GRACE & LAW

THERE IS REALLY GOOD NEWS

The Holy Spirit is bringing us back to the foundations of The New Covenant:

1) Grace = God’s Unmerited Favor, Love and Blessing. 2) Our Righteousness in Christ = Our Right Standing with a good and loving God. 3) That Righteousness by faith is the key to understanding grace. 4) The finished and all sufficient work of the cross of Jesus Christ. 5) Our focus on our Righteousness (in Christ) instead of on our Sin.

MIXING LAW & GRACE Many of us, without realizing it have been living our Christian lives by a mixture of grace and Old Testament Law. We have been trapped to a lesser or greater degree, in a cycle of self effort, perfectionism, unworthiness, condemnation, sin, guilt and sickness. To break these cycle we have more often than not resorted to imposing more religious laws, rules, demands and conditions on ourselves. All requiring even more self effort. After decades of trying to live this way many of us have become worn out, sick and joyless – it’s simply all too much for us.

There are two reasons why it is crucial that this issue be confronted: 1) This mixture is killing Christians and driving them to sin! 2) This mixture denies the effectiveness of the work of the cross and dishonors Jesus.

LAW PRODUCES DEATH Paul’s teachings, especially in Romans and Galatians, makes it clear that we are not called to live by the Law or by a mixture of Law and grace. This mixture is in fact the main theme of most of Paul’s writings. He was constantly trying to deal with those Christians and non-believers in the Church who denied the sufficiency of grace and wanted to live and maintain their right standing with God (Righteousness) by keeping the ten commandments and other religious laws.

Paul teaches that trying to keep the Law produces condemnation, sickness and death. The Law is not there for us to live by but it is there to expose the sin of the unsaved and to emphasis their need for a savior. (I am happy to go through this scripture by scripture if anyone would like).

BUT JESUS PREACHED THE LAW The problem is that when we look at the scriptures in the traditional way it appears that there is a lot of performance demands and law keeping placed on us, the New Covenant believer.  Jesus clearly taught the keeping of the law, however it was in a specific context to those seeking to be justified (made righteous) by the keeping of the law, the self-righteous Jews. It is crucial that we read Jesus teaching in context and understand to whom the teachings were addresses otherwise we will bring ourselves under the Law.

READING SCRIPTURE IN CONTEXT As New Covenant believers, when interpreting any scripture we must be seek to answer the following questions: 1) What is the context of the scripture 2)  Who is speaking. ii) Who is he speaking to.  iii) What issue was being addressed. 3) Is this teaching the Old Covenant or the New Covenant. 4) What Covenant are the people under who the teaching is addressed to. 5) How does this point to, or reveal, Jesus and His Kingdom. 6) How does this point to, or reveal, the cross and grace. 7) Does it expose self-righteous religiosity or righteousness by faith.

LAW OR GRACE TINTED GLASSES If we realize that we have incorrectly mixed law and grace and have also taken scripture out of context, we will understand that this has affected the way we have interpreted scripture. When we choose to believe in grace we can re-examine the scriptures in their true context and from a position of pure grace. You will find that this will be an amazing journey and reveal glorious good news in Christ. For many it is like reading the Bible for the first time! Discovering the Grace and Righteousness that is ours in Christ, our freedom from law keeping and self effort restores your joy and zeal for the “gospel, the good news”.  Try it, ask the Holy Spirit to show you the difference between legalistic, mixed Christianity and Grace filled, Christ centered, Christianity. A good example to start with is:

THE PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN  (REVISITED IN GRACE) Luk 10:25  On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”26  “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”27  He answered: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”  28  “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”29  But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”……..

THE TRADITIONAL INTERPRETATION The story of the Good Samaritan is probably one of Jesus’ best known parables. We all learnt it as kids and were encouraged to be just like the good Samaritan. He was the epitome of the way a good Christian should live. We were constantly told a good Christians must  “Love their neighbor”. This, it is said is the purpose of the parable.  However, this generally accepted interpretation of this parable is a self- righteous law orientated view which has lead to huge condemnation and guilt among Christians, who in the majority of instances have found it difficult and actually impossible to fulfill in practice.

THE GRACE INTERPRETATION You will be surprised to hear that the noble and worthy sentiment of “Loving our neighbor as yourself” was not actually the primary and core issue that Jesus was addressing in this parable. Sadly we have missed the crucial truth that Jesus was actually addressing. Now if we choose to re-examine this parable in its context and from the position of grace we see a completely different message -almost the opposite to what we have traditionally been taught!

THE CONTEXT OF THE PARABLE Jesus was speaking to an expert in the Law of Moses, a Pharisee, a Jews that believed he could be justified i.e. be made righteous, by keeping the Law of Moses. This teacher was trying to catch Jesus out (Lk.10:25). The greater context was Jesus’ constant struggle against the self-righteous, legalistic religious practices of the Jews. These Teachers of the Law, the Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus into speaking against Jewish Religion, the Law and the Temple so they could justify arresting him. This Pharisee believed he was righteous and justified because he had supposedly kept all the Laws of Moses. He wanted the JUSTIFY HIMSELF (v29), he definitely wasn’t looking for a savior.

TO THOSE UNDER LAW JESUS PREACHED LAW This Pharisee, like all Jews, was under the Law of Moses. They believed that the Law of Moses had been given so that they could justify and save themselves through their good works and self effort. This Pharisee was self-righteous and wanted people to know that he had kept the Laws that God required of him. It appears from v25 that this Pharisee is wanting to know how to get eternal life, however as a Pharisee and Teacher of the Law, he already believed he had eternal life by keeping all the Laws of Moses….the truth is that “he wanted to justify himself” (v29) and wanted Jesus to confirm that his self-righteousness and law keeping was good enough. Jesus in his amazing way now used the Law of Moses to expose this man’s self-righteous, the fact that no one can keep the law perfectly and that no one can obtain eternal life through keeping the law. It is interesting how Jesus does this and it is a pattern He uses throughout the gospels when preaching to Jews e.g. The Rich Ruler (Mt.19:16) etc.

ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH THE 1st & 2nd LAW – REALLY? (Lk.10:25-27) Put yourself in this parable and imagine you were the Pharisee and you ask Jesus: Your question: ” Teacher what must I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus answer: “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” Your answer: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Jesus answer:”You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” Now you have just quoted the first and second commandments. You know what is required but do you have eternal life? Have you and do you really love God with every part of yourself all the time. Hum, maybe, but I know I’m already falling short. How about loving your neighbor, all the time just like you love yourself…now I don’t know about you but now I know I really do fall short. Do you get what’s going on here?  Are you sensing that if eternal life has to come through keeping the Law we are all in deep trouble and need a Savior, including the Pharisee – the problem is that unlike you and me, the Pharisee didn’t know it, he thinks he’s OK.

THE REAL MEANING OF THE PARABLE This Pharisee thought he could keep the whole law perfectly, thus be justified and gain eternal life, without Jesus, without grace. Now the real purpose of the parable comes out. The Pharisee has agree with Jesus that to gain eternal life he must love his neighbor as himself. The Pharisee even asks Jesus “Who is this neighbor – that I must love like myself”? (v29) Jesus then tell him the parable about the neighbor. Jesus asks the Pharisee the shocking and tricky question “Who do you think was the neighbor”? (v36). Look at it carefully, who was the neighbor? The neighbor that the Pharisee is called to” love like himself” so he may gain eternal life turns out to be the Samaritan! (v36). So here is the whole point: To be justified through keeping the Law the Pharisee has to perfectly obey the second commandment (and in fact all ten) and to do this he has to love a Samaritan. However there is a problem as John 4:9 says “Jews do not associate with Samaritans” and  shows the Jewish attitude to them 8:48  “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?” The Law say he can’t go near as Samaritans as they are considered unclean Hum, a big problem!! To keep the law he has to break it and if you break the law you lose his justification. Meditate on this and you will see the whole purpose of the parable is completely different to the traditional view.

THE TRUE ISSUE OF THE STORY Jesus was teaching to those who wanted to hear: No one can be justified by the keeping of the law and that everyone need to acknowledge that they fall short and needs to be saved by Jesus. By the way it’s good and wonderful to love our neighbors but it won’t get us eternal life.

You will find that if you re-examine the scriptures in context and in grace many of them will reveal completely different truths to the traditional interpretations…try it for yourself, it’s wonderful and exciting and glorifies Christ and his work on the cross.

A FINAL PROVOCATIVE THOUGHT Isn’t it strange that the Churches whose central focus and doctrine is “Regular and ongoing confession of sins” are often racked with the most terrible sins at the highest level. Could it be that law (legalistic Christianity) really does stir up sin just like Paul says? Yes, we all hate sin but it’s remedy is not focusing on and confessing sin – it is focusing on the cross and confessing our righteousness in Christ. More on this next time maybe.

Be blessed and joyful. garry@gracelove truth.com +27845562786

GRACE 1: SAVED BY GRACE ALONE

Link to Grace 1Link to Grace 3 A NEW GRACE REFORMATION

We are privileged to be living in an amazing time for the Church and the Kingdom – a time as the Church has never known before. 500 years ago the Holy Spirit gave Martin Luther  a revelation that we are saved by grace alone. This revelation started to free the Church from the false doctrine of salvation by good works. This revelation that salvation was by grace and not by good but dead works brought mankind out of the “Dark Ages”. Sadly however, history shows that the revelation of grace was not complete as 500 years ago the majority of Church Reformers taught that Christians, who were saved by grace, were called to live  by a mixture of grace and Law. The good news is that God is rectifying this error and that this is a time of amazing revelation and new reformation that will revitalize the Church once again. For the first time since the Apostle Paul, the the Holy Spirit is bringing the Church back to the understanding that not only are we saved by the grace of Jesus Christ, but we are called to live everyday by the grace of Jesus. Correctly understanding grace is crucial to the effectiveness of the Church in this era as without a revelation of the grace and love of God it is actually impossible to know the truth(1John4:16) of God’s purpose for mankind and the Church. Grace, Truth and Jesus are inseparable (Jn:1:17). Because of the lack of the revelation of the fullness of grace we see great confusion and multiple conflicting doctrines in the worldwide Church and this is causing division and preventing the sharing of the good news to a lost generation. Now this is the good news of the grace of Jesus……

JESUS' GRACE IS ABOUT HOW GOD NOW RELATES TO US Heb.10:15-17 ” This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” 17  Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”  The entire New Covenant screams overwhelming evidence of a loving, gracious God. God the Father longing for His beloved children to be restored to Him. God did not send Jesus to come and change what we do but to change who we are. Being in God's Grace and filled with His Spirit will automatically change the way we do things. Jesus came to change the way God relates to us - by GRACE. God no longer relates to us on the basis of our sin and performance, but through His Son, Jesus. The Righteousness of Christ has been imparted to us and we are no longer Jesus' servants but friends Joh.15:15. We are no longer God's slaves but His children Gal.4:7. He is now our loving, kind Father. It’s not the definition of grace that causes problem, it's peoples wrong belief that we have to earn it. Driven, performance orientated and obedience focused Christianity is the norm today, to the extend that it often appears to deny God's grace. It is only Grace leads to true obedience, not obedience that lead to grace! This is the controversy – that God relates to us ALL the time in GRACE no matter what we do! Most of us are so performance orientated we cannot accept the truth of grace.

THE OFFENCE OF GRACE Gal 5:11  Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision (viz.The Law), why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. The cross heralded in a new system in which we are called to live - that of God's Grace. Grace is scandalous. It’s hard to accept, hard to believe, and hard to receive. Grace shocks us in what it offers as it defies our judgement based on logic. It is truly not of this world - It frightens us with what it does for Sinners. Grace teaches us that God does for others what we would never do for them. We would save the “not-so-bad”. But God starts with prostitutes and then works downward from there. Grace is a gift that costs everything to the Giver,Jesus, and nothing to the Receiver, the Sinner. It is given to those who don’t deserve it, barely recognize it, and hardly appreciate it. That’s why God alone gets the glory for our salvation that is by Grace alone (Eph.2:8). Jesus did all the work when he died on the cross... "It is finished" He said!(Jn.19:30) Grace focuses on Jesus work and performance, not ours.

SO WHAT IS GRACE The Greek dictionary definition for Grace show us what a beautiful thing Grace is. GRACE: G5485  χάρις CHARIS: Thayer Definition: 1) grace 1a) that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech. 2) good will, loving-kindness, favour. 2a) of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues. 3) what is due to grace. 3a) the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace. 3b) the token or proof of grace, benefit. 3b1) a gift of grace. 3b2) benefit, bounty. 4) thanks, (for benefits, services, favours), recompense, reward. It is closely related to the following foundational word: G5463 χαίρω chairō: 1) to rejoice, be glad. 2) to rejoice exceedingly. 3) to be well, thrive. 1.      Grace is God’s unmerited, unearned, undeserved favour towards us. 2.      It’s our unearnt, unconditional blessing from God. 3.      It is God’s goodness to us. 4.      It’s His unconditional, freely given, love for us. 5.      It is God’s empowerment of us by His Spirit. 6.      It is God’s riches at Christ expense. 7.      Ultimately Grace is not a doctrine but a person: Jesus Christ. The controversy is not over the definition of Grace. It’s the application of Grace that leads to controversy as most people accept they are saved by Grace but they don't know how to live in it.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS & THE LAW HIGHLIGHT OUR NEED FOR GRACE Rom.5:20-21 Moreover the law entered that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more. This refers to the laws given to Moses – primarily the ten commandments. The Law demands that we keep all it's 613 laws, perfectly, all the time (Deut 28) ! Shockingly impossible:  Exactly….”HELP LORD!” These laws simply add to our transgressions, showing us even more clearly our need for Grace and to be saved by Jesus. We all blow it in some way, all the time! We all fall short. We all sin, despite not wanting to. In response God has provided us with super-abounding Grace (GK: huperperisseuo G5248)(Jn.4:16). i.e. More grace and forgiveness than we actually need. He gives us enough Grace for our sins plus even more for our blessing. Jesus' Grace does not set aside the Law, but rather completely satisfies and fulfills it. (Matt.5:17) As deep as sin goes, God’s Grace goes deeper. As wide as sin is, God’s Grace is wider. When sin abounds, Grace super-abounds. God’s Grace is greater than all our sin. Sadly, performance orientated Christianity has made us double minded. We were all been taught to "perform" - since childhood in our own families. When we are good we are in Grace and can receive love and blessing. But when we are bad we fall from Grace. Satan loves this belief as all he has to do is tempt us into sin and then accuse us when we fail. When we fail and sin we then separate ourselves from God and reject His call on our lives! Instead God is calling us to focus on our righteousness in Christ. We are called to live a life that is holy and righteous and the ten commandments set a standard. However the Ten Commandments imposed on us from the outside just leads to condemnation due to failure on our part. Jesus came to reveal a new way, the way of the Spirit who guides us to do what is right (Heb.10:16). We now live by love, not by the Ten Commandments, as those who love keep them because of their new  nature (Rom.13:8-10) and the leading of God's Spirit within.

WE ARE RIGHT WITH GOD, BY GRACE, NOT BY OUR PERFORMANCE. Right living only comes about through right believing. As we believe so we become. If we believe we live in grace, so grace will flow from us to others. If we believe we believe the core of our relationship is to obey then we will be driven & restless and doomed to failure and condemnation. Grace is good news, Law based living is bad news, as we always fail. Obedience based Christianity is no difference from Israel’s Law based religion.

“GRACE & PEACE” WAS THE CHURCH'S GREETING Rom.1:7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 2Co.5:19  God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. In the New Covenant grace and peace are linked. Through Jesus the Father sends us peace. What is this peace that is so linked to Grace? PEACE: G1515 εἰρήνη eirēnē Thayer Definition: 1) a state of national tranquillity 1a) exemption from the rage and havoc of war. 2) peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord. 3) security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous) 4) of the Messiah’s peace 4a) the way that leads to peace (salvation). 5) of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is. 6) the blessed state of devout and upright men after death. Our every day & relationships should be full of grace and the fruit which is peace. Through their greetings the early church constantly reminded each other of grace. Virtually every New Testament letter contains a greeting and farewell focusing on grace. If we want peace in our lives we have to live in God’s grace. Understanding grace leads to inner peace. We are no longer at war with God – we have peace with him through grace.

Jesus' Grace is really good news.

Tel:  +27 (0)31 7642323        Cell: 0845562786 Email: garryhare@gracelovetruth.com