We Are Called According To His Purpose and Grace - Part 813

"Who hath saved us, and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." (II Timothy 1:9)

One of the difficulties that is emerging in these the last days is the inability of so-called ministering experts to accurately present the scriptures. It is almost as if there is a spiritual blindness that prevents them from accepting the Word -- as it is written. As I checked into the idea of spiritual blindness further, I found a number of scriptures that confirm this state of heart in individuals. 

Sadly, however, what is emerging are not only false prophets and teachers (those who willingly know that the teachings they present are false) but now there are others who have only half-heartedly search the scriptures for their teaching(s). In this latter case, many of these are not even aware of the two covenants -- the old covenant in which people lived subject to the law -- and this new current covenant of grace wherein we have a personal relationship with Jesus because the veil was ripped from top to bottom. 

Those that have minimal understanding of the difference (and have not searched the scriptures for the truth) tend to mix the two covenants, expecting believers to accept grace for salvation but also to be subject to certain old covenant laws and commandments. I won't even add the religious culture that emphasizes good works (as a necessary duty for salvation), those who believe priest(s) are still a mediator between God and man, or those who promote right living. In all of these (and probably more that I haven't mentioned), the idea is to keep believers teetering between each of the two covenants, rather than fully accepting (and teaching) that He who knew no sin tasted death so that we could have life everlasting.

Thankfully, the scriptures state that "No man can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else, he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." (Matthew 6:24) Although many will relate this particular verse in Matthew to money, the same underlying principle applies to the covenants. 

Either we accept that under the new covenant -- "by grace are [we] saved through faith, and that not of [ourselves] -- it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:5-9) and that we are "justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:24) or sadly, we deny Jesus, "who was made a little than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour, that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man" and therefore, make His death of none effect. (Galatians 2:21; Hebrews 2:9)

For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect, for then would they not have ceased to be offered? "Because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices, there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins. Wherefore, when He cometh into the world, He saith, "Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast Thou prepared Me; in burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, "Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of Me) to do Thy will, O God." (Hebrews 10:1-7)

Further, "for the law was given by Moses, [but] grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (John 1:17) "For the grace of God that brings salvation hath appeared to all men ... looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee." (Titus 2:11-15) 

When Jesus said, "My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness," He meant that His grace is sufficient. (II Corinthians 12:9) This same Jesus, "in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." (Ephesians 1:7) This same Jesus "by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:2)

"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." (Galatians 2:16)

If we do not ... "Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?" (Hebrews 10:29)

This preaching and teaching of anything BUT the Word -- as it is written -- has to stop. Indeed, it is time for believers everywhere to stand up and stop the cancer that is called spiritual blindness that is darkening the world with a perverse understanding of the scriptures and teachings that are false.

Ephesians 4:18 states: "Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart." 

Why should we care? Because, as Paul wrote in Romans, "For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in." (Romans 11:25)

Rather, earnestly contend for the faith that was given to us through the Word, knowing that "God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that ye always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work." (II Corinthians 9:8) As well, seek His wisdom. Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (II Peter 3:18) 

Most of all, let Jesus lead you and guide you into all truth. He will make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, and settle you. (I Peter 5:10) Stand in the offering plate.