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Bible Ambassadors
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Contradictions?

  There are obvious contradictions in the Holy Bible - the written Word of God - that cause much of the confusion in people today because  of a lack of understanding in How To Study The Bible.  We will address some of these issues from time to time in hopes it will help you, or someone you know, grab hold of God's simple truths.  Isn't it amazing how mankind wants to complicate what God made very simple?
  One of the issues causing abundant confusion today is whether or not we must do good works to be saved, or do good works to maintain our salvation.  Look at the following two scriptures:


James 2:26 - For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.



Romans 4:5 - But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.


  Now those are both quotes from the inspired, authorized Word of God.  Yet they definitely have different messages .  So then, which one is right?  Which one does God want you  to follow?  And why?

  The key to KNOWING which one of those passages applies to YOU, so that you can "walk in the Spirit" correctly is 2 Timothy 2:15.  A contradiction  is a noticeable difference . There is very obvious or noticeable difference between the passages above.  Do not skirt around those differences by quoting a scripture most use that has nothing to do with the issue.  That is, they attempt to answer (which is not an answer but an evasion) that "Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday, today and forever.  [Hebrews 13:8]  They do that because they do not KNOW the key to understanding the difference.  It is an attempt to hide their ignorance which means  they do not know.  Ignorance does not equal stupidity; it means lacking in knowledge.  But you CAN KNOW.  God provided a key.  The key - again - is 2 Timothy 2:15 in a King James Bible: (Modern versions change the wording because they also "don't know."  God forbid they would deliberately change the meaning of God's Word.)


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


  Please note:  We AGREE with Hebrews 13:8.  Jesus Christ IS the same in every way and every day.  That scripture, used as a rebuff, is a "duck blind."  Though Christ never changes - GOD never changes - how he deals with or dealt with mankind has  changed.  If that is not true, then perhaps you better "sell all you have" and follow Christ.  Including your computer and your big screen TV!

  Remember, the subject here is differences between passages addressing the same issue, and how to deal with them.  It has a very simple solution.  Man seems to want complicated solutions, therefor overlook God's very simple solutions - in this case - "rightly divide the Word of Truth."  How do you do that?

  First of all, it helps tremendously to understand  2 Timothy 2:15.  Remember, don't try to complicate it.  It means what it says.  It says, "rightly divide".  In some circles you will hear (or may have been taught) that it means to "correctly handle" (some perverted Bibles version) or to "correctly teach."  That might look good if you stop at the first word there - "rightly."  No problem agreeing that rightly and correctly mean the same.  

  Where the error comes in is that they quit there and try to ignore the other word God gave - "divide."  Actually, that is being kind, because they don't truly ignore it, they change its meaning when they teach the passage.  Now, no matter how hard I try, I can't make divide  mean handle  or teach .  It does mean to separate , to cut  or, interestingly, distribute .  (As in "dispense.")  You do not need now to go to the Greek to learn what has already been translated from Greek to English.  

  So God said to you and me (James was written specifically to Christian Jews scattered abroad who were part of the Little Flock and not the Body of Christ), that WE are to "rightly divide the Word of Truth."  And WE  (the Body of Christ) are to follow our own apostle (Romans 11:13) who told us that we are to " worketh  not, " but are to walk in God's grace.  The WORD of God then can be DIVIDED.

  Divided into what?  Well that is another whole study, but this should excite you enough to want to do that study because it will open up the whole Bible to you in a way you have never seen it, enjoyed it or been excited by it.  But the first clue is that it is full of division, from Genesis to the Revelation.  Beginning with the division in creation between the heaven  and the earth .  Enjoy! Get to the division of Prophecy versus The Mystery!

"Grace & Peace"

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Amen & Amen

Your friend and brother
The Crusader

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Yes and Amen.

There is a little more to know from James. One is that he speaks to justification before men, whereas Paul was inspired to address it before God.

It also depends upon the definition of FAITH being used. James refers often to faith as just intellectual orthodoxy/mental assent. One example is when he speaks of demons believing thing ABOUT God. He said even the demons believe "THAT."

Paul speaks of a believing "IN." That "IN" is the person of Jesus Christ. Faith is ultimately in "HIM."

Salvation is always UNTO good works but never BECAUSE of them othewrwise, grace would be no more grace and we are saved BY GRACE.

aw

AMEN BROTHERS!

The confusion is in the minds of men, not in the WORD OF GOD. There are no contradictions in the WORD OF GOD.

There are several areas of concern that must be addressed before a person can understand a portion of Scripture. These are the most common that cause the most confusion:

Does the portion of Scripture address truths before the crucifixion of Jesus on the Cross or after the crucifixion of Jesus on the Cross?

Does the portion of Scripture pertain to the Law, or does it pertain to the Gospel of God's Grace?

Does the portion of Scripture directly address only the Jews, or does it address the Jews and the Gentiles?

Does the portion of Scripture pertain to Salvation, or does it pertain to growing and maturing in Christ? In the same vein, does it apply to salvation, or does it pertain to a testimony before men, instructions for Christian living, or exhortations that a Christian could follow and have more fullness of Joy in HIM.

Does the portion of Scripture pertain to prophecy of things yet to come in the future, or have the events already taken place? In this same vein, does the portion of Scripture even address this age, or does it address the ages to come.

Rightly dividing the Word of Truth would be an excellent Bible study topic that everyone would benefit from.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Thanks Brothers, I enjoyed both messages.

AMEN

Your friend and brother

The Crusader
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DITTO ;D