The beautiful revelation of grace - Through what lens are we interpreting scripture?

Ok let’s get right to the point; if we are established in God’s grace, we will see Him clearly. If we are established in the law, we will not. The same holds true in regards to the way we interpret God’s word; or the way we respond to the living word, which of course is Jesus Christ Himself. If we are not established in the grace of God, we will have poor revelation on all fronts and will ultimately misinterpret both the author and His word.

Revelation given through the empowering and ever moving grace of God, verses revelation received under law is as contrary as night and day. Because while the law remains stringent, unmovable, and condemning; the grace of God moves to wrestle the leaves of humanity, and irresistibly bring life to the soul.

To illustrate this point, I am going to use a passage we should all know well. I am going to quote this verse from the old King James because I feel it is a better translation than the new regarding this particular verse.

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

Unfortunately for years, I had misinterpreted this scripture to mean that I was to study the word of God in order to gain His approval; in that I would not be ashamed in His presence for my lack of knowledge regarding His word; in other words, that my theology would be straight, and as a result, I would be well pleasing in His sight.

Of course I know now that this is not what this scripture means. That it’s correct interpretation is exactly the opposite; that what it in fact means is this: That we study the word of God in order that it may accomplish what it was designed to do; which of course is to lead us into a personal relationship through divine encounter with the person of Jesus Christ. That we may come to know and understand what great love He bestowed upon us through the sufficient finality of what God provided man via the precious gift of salvation. That we would understand with clarity the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and in that, come to know God Himself. To know that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. That we are established in His loving grace and realize beyond a shadow of doubt that we are the righteousness of God in Him. That we have been perfected forever; that we are without spot or blemish and beyond accusation in His sight; that it is finished. That we have been saved completely to the utmost; and as a result, there is nothing to be ashamed of, either in our lives or in the proclamation of His word.

In short, this verse is not a call to be bible answer man; it’s a call to know the living God, and what He accomplished on our behalf. To understand that we have already been approved; that we may walk in that approval, and live victoriously in Him.

Authors note: II Timothy 2:15 – The New King James instructs the believer to be diligent at presenting him or herself approved to God, while the old King James simply states – study to show thyself approved unto God. Obviously upon close examination, there is a big difference between these two interpretations. The translation in the New King James points towards our diligent work as the mechanism by which we are approved of God; while the translation in the old points to the fact that we have already been approved. One of these translations is obviously works based theology, and the other is correct. While one points to the author and finisher of our faith, and what He accomplished on our behalf; the other points directly to our works in gaining God’s approval. Now which one of these interpretations do you suppose is correct? The one that points to Jesus or the one that points to us? Pretty simple I should think..Amen!

P.S. There is no end to the study of God’s word! With this in mind, wouldn’t this be an unfinished and never ending way to gain approval?

Commentary by:

G. L. Miller

America's Heritage - Erroneous political Christian science

The following is an excerpt from the American Bicentennial Edition of the bible (1776-1976). The first 139 pages of this bible are devoted to American history as pertaining to the bible- America’s precious heritage, the bible. America’s Christian heritage- Christian liberty comes to America- the Christian foundation of our nation- leaders of American liberty- the bible of the revolution- the pulpit and the American Revolution and so on.

Though it is not my ambition to belittle America or its founding fathers; it is my ambition to educate against anything that systematically undermines the core teachings of Christ.

Please pay close attention to what you are about to read. The slight of hand can be found in the author equating our unity as believers in the spirit of Christ with that of a military campaign against King George. This slight of hand historically is the means by which those in power have always called the faithful to an agenda. It’s important to understand that there is a fine line between wars fought for just peace resolution according the Geneva Convention and those fought for the purpose of seeking dominion. Remember, Jesus was not a patriot, or a national dominionist, and He had no loyalty but to the Father and the kingdom of heaven; which of course He declared to be comprised of every tribe, every tongue, and every nation; which is to say that there is only one nation under God; those who believe in the One true God, and Jesus Christ His Son. (John 17:3)

Excerpt Bicentennial bible (1776-1976):

As Americans, we possess a rich inheritance of “Property,” beginning in the first century of Christianity, when “liberty of conscience” became more important to men than their very lives. Our pilgrim fathers fled to this continent, leaving their homeland, rather than submit to infringement of their right of conscience.

Our Patriotic forefathers fought the war of independence in order to secure our God given rights- both internal and external property rights. During that crucial period of our history, Samuel Adams asked the question of the ages, “Now what liberty can there be where property is taken away without consent?”

Property rights- the right to life and liberty- are given by God and not by government. It is the responsibility of the structure of government to secure these rights, not to provide them. It was the original intent of the framers of the constitution to establish a form of government which would secure these God given rights to be preserved as part of the sacred property of man. Liberty is not mans invention. It is God’s gift!

PRINCIPLE OF UNION

The foundation stone of Christian unity is the Rock, Jesus Christ. “For by one spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free, and have all been made to drink into one spirit.”(I Cor. 12:13) “For as the body is one, and has many members, and all members of that one body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ.” (I Cor. 12:12) “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.” (Eph. 2:19-20)

The story of the Plymouth Pilgrims, recorded by William Bradford in 1647, is an account of true Christian unity from the days of our early history. When they began the settlement, “they shook off this yoke of anti-christian bondage, and as ye Lords free people, joyned themselves (by a covenant of the Lord) into a church estate, in ye fellowship of ye gospel, to walk in all His ways, make known or to be made known unto them, according to their best endeavors, whatsoever it should cost them, the Lord assisting them.”

The oppressive acts forced on the American colonies by the British government provided the impulse of uniting all the colonies for the first time in history. The manner in which the flow of christian support and unity of purpose cemented together the 13 colonies was true biblical christian unity, produced by the voluntary action of many communities and tiny towns. “Thirteen clocks were made to strike together; a perfection of mechanism which no artist had ever before effected.” Beneath the numerous diversities of the colonies was a “unity of spirit.” The colonists were united in a cause which they felt to be ordained by God. “Stand firm, and let your intrepid courage show to the world that you are Christians.”[1]

In short, the questions we must ask ourselves are these:

1: Are we American Christians or are we truly men and women of God?

2: Are we loyal to Jesus Christ and what He confirms in our spirit; or

3: Are we driven to and fro by every wind of doctrine according to tradition and the

    cunning craftiness of men?

Authors note:

The book of Romans was written around A.D. 57, and Emperor Nero was in power; and as we know, he cruelly persecuted Christians, throwing them to the lions, amongst other horrific things. Yet God’s word comes through the Apostle Paul in this way, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.” My question is this; how can we use these scriptures one way, one day; and another the next? Wouldn’t these scriptures have included the reign of King George?

Here is one more thing to consider in regards to what we have just discussed and read; here is what the Apostle Paul had to say regarding circumstance- “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Every where and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me.”(Phillipians 4:11-12)

“What things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”

(Phillipians 3:7-8)

In whom was Paul’s liberty based? And what rights did he proclaim?

Commentary by:

G. L. Miller

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[1] Holy Bible – American Bicentennial Edition – July 4, 1975 – Distributed by Jerry Falwell Ministries Aflame – Lynchburg, Virginia 24505 – Printed by Thomas Nelson Inc. 1975

Eternal security!

Unfortunately, the common dialogue surrounding the issue of eternal security in this age is that of mediocrity. First we are told that it’s ok for us to agree to disagree in that there are ample scriptures to substantiate both points of view. Then we are told considering the grand scheme of things that this issue is of little importance. That what we must do is to maintain those things, those works which accompany salvation; that we may be sure of our eternal hope. Now while the scriptures do substantiate this train of thought to some degree, the bible by no means establishes anything that even remotely resembles works righteousness. It is either all Christ, or it is nothing. It is either finished, or it is not! These questions cannot be left in the realm of mediocrity. For within the answer to these questions rest the essential truths of the Christian faith.

Here is some food for thought regarding this issue:

The devil is the author of doubt, and doubt produces fear. The bible tells us that one cannot be perfected in love with the presence of fear. So when we teach or preach that it’s possible for one to lose salvation, what are we really creating, and who is the author? Are we not creating doubt, which in turn produces fear; and is the devil himself not the author? Now one may argue that it’s a good thing to examine whether or not we are of the faith, and I would agree; however, it’s an entirely different matter once we are established in Christ to say that we can lose what we have. The apostle Paul did not ask the Corinthians to examine themselves, that they may not lose their salvation; he simply asked them to make sure they had it in the first place.

Authors note:

Adam and Eve were created with spiritual life; so the devils deception concerning them was to create doubt regarding death. We on the other hand, were born spiritually dead, so the devils deception concerning us is to create doubt regarding life. The script has flipped, and the devils tactics have changed. If he can hold our focus on sin, confession, and moral purity, or whether or not we can lose our salvation; he has in affect robbed us of the very thing God intended to give us in Christ; that we would enter His glorious rest!

P.S. Read 1 John 4:17-19 Notice the word torment; and who is known in the bible as the tormentor. You got it! Believe me, if the devil can’t get your soul, he’ll settle for keeping you in a state of un-rest.

Commentary by:

G.L. Miller