The Simplicity of the Gospel Explains Difficult Passages - II Corinthians 11:3 KJV
The Simplicity of the Gospel Explains Difficult Passages - II Corinthians 11:3 KJV
"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ" (II Corinthians 11:3 KJV).
It is the simplicity of the Gospel of Christ that explains difficult passages. It is the clarity of the Gospel that explains there is only ONE Gospel. "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:6-9 KJV). Be not removed from the grace in Christ unto another gospel: Which is NOT ANOTHER! There is only ONE GOSPEL of CHRIST!
Some individuals think that the Bible has multiple "gospels," but that is a false message. For example, they will say there is the "gospel of Paul" and the "gospel of James." Nowhere in the Bible does it talk about the "gospel of Paul" or "gospel of James." However, it does talk about the "Gospel of Christ!" "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16 KJV). The Bible is God-breathed Word. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (II Timothy 3:16 KJV). The Holy Spirit wrote the Bible, and God never contradicts His Word. "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (II Peter 1:21 KJV). There is only ONE GLORIOUS GOSPEL of CHRIST! "According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust" (I Timothy 1:11 KJV). Be not corrupted from the simplicity of the Gospel of Christ. "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ" (II Corinthians 11:3 KJV).
There has to be a standard, there has to be a course, there has to be a marker, there has to be a line, there has to be a cornerstone, there has to be a foundation with the Word of God. "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone" (Ephesians 2:20 KJV). Jesus Christ is the Cornerstone. He is the foundation. Ephesians 2:8-9 is the cornerstone of the Gospel message. "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" (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV). A person is saved by grace. A person does not deserve to go to Heaven; it is of grace. Every person deserves to go to Hell. However, God loves each person and demonstrates His love by dying for all their sins. A person is saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, documented in the scriptures alone, so the LORD receives the glory alone. There is only ONE WAY TO HEAVEN! "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6 KJV).
If a person thinks scripture contradicts scripture, it cannot be accurate; they are WRONG! If a person feels there are multiple pathways to Heaven, they are not rightly dividing the Truth! If a person thinks there is more than one Gospel, they are WRONG! If a person feels the Bible contradicts THE TRUTH on how a person is saved, it cannot be accurate; it is a WRONG interpretation! I remember speaking to someone years ago, and they talked about The "gospel of Paul" and the "gospel of James." WRONG! There is ONE GOSPEL! They are NOT Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth. The BIBLE DOES NOT CONTRADICT ITSELF. It is the man that contradicts the Bible. It is the man that has the wrong interpretation. It is the man that has the wrong opinion. The Holy Spirit wrote the Bible. The Holy Spirit has revealed the Truth; the Holy Spirit does not contradict the Truth. "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" (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV). So, if a person thinks scripture contradicts the Gospel of Christ, rejects THE TRUTH of how a person is saved, it cannot be accurate; it is a WRONG interpretation. Go back to Ephesians 2:8-9.
People need to remember; it is the simplicity of the Gospel of Christ that explains difficult passages. It is the clarity of the Gospel that explains there is only ONE Gospel.
THE PROBLEM
Once an individual questions salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, that person has just opened up many questions that do not need to be questioned. We have a benchmark; we have a cornerstone; do not corrupt the Rock of Salvation into a stumbling stone. Use the clarity of the Gospel of Christ to explain difficult passages. "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" (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV).
Some pastors, priests, and people will pervert the truth. They change God's grace into works. They use passages like James chapter 2 to corrupt the Rock of Salvation into a stumbling stone. These individuals are NOT rightly dividing the TRUTH! Remember, the Bible does not contradict itself. It is the man that contradicts the Word of God.
Before we look at the Book of James chapter 2, we need to understand how a person is justified in "God's eyes" because we know the Bible does not contradict itself. It is the clarity of the Gospel that helps explain difficult passages like James chapter 2. How is a person justified in "God's eyes?" Justified means saved from the penalty of sin, which is an eternity in Hell/Lake of Fire. A man is justified in "God's eyes" by faith alone in Christ alone. "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Romans 4:4-5 KJV). Do not let difficult passages become a rock of offense. It is the clarity of the Gospel that helps explain difficult passages. A man is justified in the "eyes of God" by faith alone in Christ alone. The LORD knows who have trusted in Him alone. "The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him" (Nahum 1:7 KJV). The simplicity of the Gospel of Christ helps explain difficult passages.
Let us look at the Book of James. The book of James is written to believers. "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations" (James 1:2 KJV). When a person reads the Book of James, James is talking to believers in Christ alone. James stresses the importance of growing in grace in the knowledge of Christ, the importance of reading the Word of God, and having the WORD of GOD engrafted into their lives. Remember, a believer is saved by grace, and then a believer grows in grace: grace for grace. The book of James chapter 2 is not about "man" being justified in "God's eyes" because these men are already saved (James 1:2 KJV). The book of James chapter 2 is about "saved men" being justified in the "eyes of men." Remember, James is already speaking to individuals already saved: these individuals have trusted in Jesus Christ as their only HOPE for Salvation. Remember, the clarity of the Gospel is easily explained in Ephesians 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" (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV). The Bible does not contradict itself. The Holy Spirit wrote the Bible. "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (II Peter 1:21 KJV).
The Book of James says Abraham believed God, and God's righteousness was imputed to Abraham's account by faith. "And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God" (James 2:23 KJV). The Word of God does not contradict itself. This is precisely what Romans 4:4-5 says, "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Romans 4:4-5 KJV). Both of these verses are a reference back to Genesis chapter 15 when Abraham believed God. "And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness" (Genesis 15:6 KJV). Now, in James 2:24, it says, "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." This is about Genesis chapter 22. Genesis chapter 22 is many years after Genesis chapter 15. The Bible is very clear that Abraham believed in the Gospel of Christ. Abraham believed in Jesus Christ for salvation. Jesus said Abraham rejoiced when he saw "My day." "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad" (John 8:56 KJV). God hand-delivered the Glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ to Abraham. "And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ" (Galatians 3:8-16 KJV). Abraham could not be justified in "God's eyes" by his works because that is contradictory to the Bible. "For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness" (Romans 4:2-3 KJV). However, Abraham is justified in "man's eyes" by his works because man cannot see Abraham's faith. But, through Abraham's works, man can see Abraham's faith. When Abraham offered up his son Isaac as a sacrifice, he did it before two of his servants in Genesis ch. 22. "And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you" (Genesis 22:3-5 KJV).
Abraham's faith is counted for righteousness in Genesis 15:6 in "God's eyes." Abraham is justified by his works in "man's eyes" in Genesis 22. This is precisely what James chapter 2 is saying. Men witness Abraham's faith through his works in Genesis chapter 22. In Genesis 22, Abraham was justified by works in "man's eyes," not "God's eyes." "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect" (James 2:21-22 KJV)? In Genesis 15, Abraham was justified in "God's eyes" by faith which is what the Book of James says, "And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God" (James 2:23 KJV). The Bible does not contradict itself. The Holy Spirit wrote the Bible. It is the simplicity of the Gospel of Christ that explains difficult passages. It is the clarity of the Gospel that explains there is only ONE Gospel.
The LORD knows who have trusted in Him and Him alone. The LORD knows the hearts (intellect) of all men. The LORD knows if a person has trusted in Christ alone or not. "And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen" (Acts 1:24 KJV). All believers, Abraham included, are justified by faith in Christ alone. "Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses" (Acts 13:38-39 KJV). "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law" (Romans 3:28 KJV). The Bible does not contradict itself. The Holy Spirit wrote the Bible. It is the simplicity of the Gospel of Christ that explains difficult passages. It is the clarity of the Gospel that explains there is only ONE Gospel.
Abraham was saved just like we are saved today: by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Abraham believed in the Gospel of Christ. "Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed" (Galatians 3:6-8 KJV). The Gospel of Christ does not change. As a matter of fact, the Gospel of Christ is everlasting. "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people" (Revelation 14:6 KJV). The Gospel of Christ was pre-ordained before the world was created. "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 1:9-10 KJV).
Truth does not change. For Truth to be True today, it had to be Truth yesterday. For Truth to be True tomorrow, it has to be Truth today. "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever" (Hebrews 13:8 KJV). It is the simplicity of the Gospel of Christ that explains difficult passages. It is the clarity of the Gospel that explains there is only ONE Gospel. Individuals are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone. Any person that has been saved since Adam to the last person to be saved on earth will be saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. "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" (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV).
This is why we read the Word of God; this is why we have the Word of God engrafted into our hearts, so the clarity of the Gospel is never compromised, so the Rock of Salvation is never corrupted into a rock of offense. "For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth" (Colossians 1:5-6 KJV). "If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister" (Colossians 1:23 KJV). "Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus" (Colossians 1:28 KJV).
If you have never received Jesus Christ as Savior, what is stopping you right now from accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior? In your mind, you can say something, "I don't know everything; however, I know I am a sinner. I know I do not want to go to Hell when I die. I want to go to Heaven when I die. I believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for ALL my sins (past, present, and future), buried for me, and resurrected for me."
There is no confirmation, confession, communion, water baptism, church, pastor, priest, religion, or any good deeds that will pay for sin. The Christ, the Lamb of God was revealed in the flesh to take away the sins of the world. “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29 KJV).
The payment for sin is death. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23 KJV). Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22 KJV).
Trust in Jesus Christ as your only hope to save you from a Hell you deserve to a Heaven you do not deserve because only the Gospel of Christ can change your eternal destiny from eternal darkness to eternal light. "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:13-14 KJV).
Receive Jesus Christ as your Savior today and be born again and forever a child of God. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:12-13 KJV).
The very second you place your faith in Christ alone, you receive eternal life, and you forever have eternal life because Christ paid for all your sins. When a person trusts in Christ alone for salvation, that person can "know" they are going to Heaven when they die because the Bible says they can "know." "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God" (I John 5:13 KJV).
THE PLAN OF SALVATION - THE GOSPEL
The Gospel is Jesus Christ died on the Cross for our sins (past, present, and future), He was buried, and He resurrected the third day to show us the payment for sin is paid in full.
I Corinthians 15:1-4: Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 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.
God loves you. Lord Savior Jesus Christ revealed Himself in the flesh for one reason: to save us from our sins. Jesus Christ does not come to condemn individuals. Jesus Christ comes to save us because we are all Hell doomed sinners without the Blood of Jesus Christ.
John 3:16-18: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
All individuals are sinners. The payment for sin is death.
Romans 3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Christ died for your sin and resurrected for you.
II Corinthians 5:21: For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
I Corinthians 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.
If you believe in Christ alone, you receive eternal life.
John 6:47: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
I John 5:13: These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
If you could be "saved" by being water baptized, doing good works, being a good person, or following the Ten Commandments? Why did (the God from Eternity Past, the God from Eternity Future) the Ever Presence Jesus Christ reveal Himself in the flesh and die on the Cross and resurrect the third day? No church can reconcile. No sacrament can save. No work or tradition of men can redeem. Only Jesus Christ can save a person from a Hell they deserve to a Heaven they do not deserve -all by grace!
Galatians 2:21: I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
If you could earn salvation by doing those things, then Jesus Christ died in vain. However, Jesus Christ did not die in vain. Jesus Christ made a perfect sacrifice for sin. He is the Lamb of God, and only the Lamb of God can make a perfect sacrifice for sin. There is only one way to Heaven, and it is the belief in the Finished Redemptive Work of Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 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.
Philippians 3:9: And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.
Galatians 2:16: 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.
Titus 3:5: Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.
The resurrection is proof God the Father accepted Jesus Christ's death payment for sin -death payment of past, present, and future sin: ALL SIN!
People DO NOT go to Hell because they are "bad." People go to Hell because they believe NOT the Gospel of Jesus Christ. People trust NOT in Jesus Christ as their Savior. People believe NOT Jesus Christ died on the Cross for their sins, burial, and resurrection. People do NOT trust alone in the finished redemptive work of Jesus Christ.
II Thessalonians 1:8-9: In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.
Know that God is gracious to you. He has already died for all your sins (past, present, and future), He was buried for you showing all the world He died for your sins, and He was resurrected for you, showing all the world that Jesus Christ fulfilled what the Father asked Him to do: IT IS FINISHED! Your sins are paid in full. I pray you to believe in Jesus Christ right now for salvation -believe Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sin, burial, and resurrection. Trust alone in Jesus Christ as your Savior. If you know someone who is "not saved," share the Gospel message with them or forward this message to them.
The Good News Voice is affiliated with The Grace Gospel Church. If you are looking for a Bible preaching, Gospel sharing, Body loving congregation, look no further. Join us in Taconite on Sundays at 9:30 AM. The Grace Gospel Church is the first building on the right when you turn into Taconite. We are live on Facebook at 10:00 AM if you are unable to join us in person. God bless, love Lance & Karla.
Pastor Lance Edminster
The Grace Gospel Church
The Good News Voice
Email: thegoodnewsvoice@gmail.com
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Once Saved, Always Saved: "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one" (John 10:28-30 KJV).
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