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The Most Misinterpreted Bible Verse |
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The Most Misinterpreted Jesus implored: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest... In order to Learn of Jesus in the way He would have us Learn of Him, we must avoid "private interpretation," and let the "more sure word of prophecy" (2 Peter 1:19-21) establish God's Truth. Being infinitely wise, an all-knowing God set a standard by which we may know the meaning of particular Bible verses. Both Jesus and the Apostle Paul declared this standard: "In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word When there are questions about the meaning of a Bible verse, rather than speculating or applying one's personal logic, we must first let the Bible clarify the Bible. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; We will eventually discuss how Jesus clarifies the meaning of these words: "and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." "For by grace are ye saved through faith... The phrase "Not of works" is traditionally interpreted by many Protestant religions as meaning: Human Action plays no role in bringing about salvation by "grace"—to include the Human Action that the Son of God calls: "good works" (Matt. 5:16). But if the Apostle Paul used the word "works" to refer to any and all works, to include the "good works" (Matt. 5:16) that glorify God, then, we've got a doctrinal conflict: Because the teachings of Jesus contradict the very interpretation that: All Human Action plays no role in accessing the Grace that leads to Salvation. Here's one example, among others: It is clear the Savior's parable of the Sheep and the Goats describes Faithful Followers who Love God and Neighbor through actions accomplished by the "strength" (Mark 12:30) of physical deeds—and this is the "Human Action" that the Apostle Paul supposedly dismissed as playing no role in accessing Saving Grace. Therefore, the traditional misinterpretation of Eph. 2:8-9 suggests that Faith is completely passive: it may be expressed by thoughts of the Mind, or intentions of the Heart, but Faith is allegedly not expressed by outward actions of Faithfulness. Here's the problem with that conclusion: 1) "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved" (Matt. 10:22). 2) "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16). 4) "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 7:21). The previous Human Acts must be faithfully done, in order to be "saved" unto "eternal life" and "enter into the kingdom of heaven." Add to these four teachings, the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats where Human Acts that serve the "least of these" thru the "strength" of one's physical deeds of Charity—feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and visiting the sick or in prison—result in gaining "eternal life" (Matt. 25:42-46). 1) "If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not [good] works, is dead, being alone" (James 2:15-17). 2) "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my [good] works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without [good] works is dead?" (James 2:18-20). 3) "Ye see then how that by [good] works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without [good] works is dead also" (James 2:24-26). And what is the importance of this definition of Faith? Paul taught: "For by grace are ye saved through faith" (Eph. 2:8) Pay attention, and read this vital verse again: "For by grace are ye saved THROUGH FAITH [emphasis added]" (Eph. 2:8) Expressing Faith in Jesus Christ IS how we "access" saving Grace! And clearly a Faith that "is dead" (James 2:17, 20, 26) cannot access saving Grace! What Paul Intended to Say with the Words: "Not of Works" What did Paul mean when he wrote: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; ... Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:8-9)? The answer to this question is discovered as Believers prayerfully read all of the writings of the New Testament, and thereby learn exactly who is likely to "boast" about "works"? Paul clarified what he meant by the phrase "Not of works" in two epistles he wrote before his epistle to the Ephesians; we simply need to find the Bible passages where Paul spoke of "boasting." Here is part of Paul's clarification: "Those who want to IMPRESS [emphasis added] others by means of the flesh Before writing his epistle to the Ephesians (A.D. 60-62), Paul also wrote to the Romans (A.D. 57-59), and in this earlier epistle, Paul spoke of "works" and of "boasting." "To demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as Therefore, in Ephesians 2:8-9 the Apostle Paul's phrase "Not of works" means: Not of the works of the law of Moses, lest any man should boast. Further, to draw a clear contrast between the Dead Works of the Law of Moses versus the Living Works (a.k.a., "good works") of the "law of faith" (Rom. 3:27)—this is why Paul wrote these words immediately after the Most Misinterpreted Bible Verse: "For we are his workmanship, Note in verse nine Paul spoke of "works" and then, in verse ten he spoke of "good works." This was to contrast the dead works of the law of Moses, compared to the good works of the law of faith in Jesus Christ—the new law where "boasting ... is excluded" (Rom. 3:26-28). From the time that Christ established His New Testament, His New Law of Faith—from that point forward—keeping the Old Law of Moses could only result in "dead works" (Hebrews 9:14), that cannot access Grace! The Interpretation that Saving Grace means Unmerited Favor ? Within the context of this parable, the "righteous" are those who show charity to "the least of these" by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and visiting the sick or in prison—these are "good works" that glorify God and are works that manifest Faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, according to the teachings of the Apostle James. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that Jesus clarified why all things, to include His Favor and Loving Kindness, are gifts. The Son of God said: "I am the true vine ... Abide in me, and I in you. Thus, it is through Christ's Favor and Loving Kindness that we are fruitful, for without His generous and gracious gift, we "can do nothing." Still, to gain "access" to God's Favor and Loving Kindness, we must abide in the True Vine. By God's Favor and Loving Kindness are ye saved through faith, for without Accessing Saving Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ While you and I do not merit or earn the Grace of God, still, we can only "access" (Rom. 5:1-2) Saving Grace through Faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ. As established by what the Savior taught and by what His Apostle James taught, presented previously, Faith in Jesus Christ is not passive; instead, Faith in Jesus Christ is actively manifest by being Faithful to Christ's Word and Example. Jesus confirmed that Belief and Faith in Him, are inseparable from Faithfully Following Him. The Savior said: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, Therefore, Faith, Love, and Truth are not Passive Gospel Principles; they are NOT merely passively thought or spoken, they are also actively and outwardly done: "For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, On the theme of Faith and Love manifest by Human Acts, the Apostle Paul adds this witness: "We through the Spirit wait for Faith works as Believers obey God's commandments—the greatest of which are to Love God and neighbor with all heart, soul, mind, and strength. And the free-will choice to "obey" results in "eternal salvation" (Hebrews 5:9)—a choice to "obey" that is primarily motived by love of God, and is actively manifest by keeping the Lord's commandments: "If ye love me, keep my commandments" As demonstrated in the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, charity—the pure love of Christ—given to "the least of these" is not merely manifest by thoughts or spoken words, but by faithful Human Acts, done with "all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength" (Mark 12:30). Those who believe in God's Son will faithfully follow Him! Jesus implores: "Come, follow me" (Luke 18:22; John 21:22; Mark 10:21; Matt. 19:21). True Believers who are faithful will honor and obey Christ's sweet invitation to follow Him. And when the time of judgment comes, who will receive the resurrection of life? "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, What Christ calls "done good," is accomplished through obedience to Christ's new Law of Faith; obedience that is necessary to bringing forth the "good fruit ... of eternal salvation"—according to the teachings of Jesus and of His Apostle Paul: "Though he were a Son, yet learned He obedience Jesus taught: "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and Therefore, will those who "believeth not the Son" actually receive unmerited saving grace? According to Jesus, the unbelieiving will NOT be saved by amazing grace. John the Revelator foretold the consequence that will come to those who do not believe, and refuse to obey the Lord's Commandments: "They who overcome shall inherit all things, Those who believe in the Son will faithfully obey Him and follow Him! Again, Jesus implores: "Come, follow me" (Luke 18:22; John 21:22; Mark 10:21; Matt. 19:21)—a gospel truth and invitation that has four witnesses in the New Testament. "And [Mary] shall bring forth a son, and thou * * * * * According to the Teachings of Jesus and His Apostle James—as previously explained—each of the following 16 principles represent ways that we manifest Faith. And Faith that is not manifest in active expressions of Faithfulness, "is dead" Faith; a truth which the Apostle James repeated three times (James 2:17, 20, 26). The following truths taught by the Savior Himself, are truths we must obey to receive the precious Gifts of Eternal Life, Salvation from Sin, and Entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven: #1) Believe in Christ — "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ... but he that believeth not is condemned already, ... he that believeth not the Son shall not see life" (John 3:15-18, 36). "And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:40). "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved ... I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep" (John 10:9-11). #2) Be Born Again — "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. ... Ye must be born again" (John 3:5, 7). #3) Become Converted — "Except ye be converted ... ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 18:3). Christ clarified the meaning of conversion in the example of Peter, who believed that Jesus was the Christ (Matt. 16:16), but was not yet "converted" (Luke 22:32-34). #4) Be Humble and Childlike — "Except ye ... become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 18:3-4). "Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein" (Luke 18:17). #5) Believe in the Father — "He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life" (John 5:24). #6) Do the Will of the Father — "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 7:21). "I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me" (John 5:30). "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me" (John 6:38). #7) Hear and Follow Christ — "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life" (John 10:27-28). "He that heareth my word ... hath everlasting life" (John 5:24). "Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? ... Jesus said unto him, ... come and follow me" (Matt. 19:16, 21). #8) Be Baptized — "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:16). "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also ... If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:12, 15). "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matt. 28:19). "Grant that these my two sons may sit ... in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, ... Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" (Matt. 20:21-22). #9) Eat of the Bread of Life — "I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world" (John 6:51). #10) Drink of Living Water — "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst ... a well of water springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:10-14). #11) Partake of His Flesh and Blood — "Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. ... He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him" (John 6:53-56). "I am the true vine ... Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing" (John 15:1-5). #12) Love God and Neighbor — "Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? ... Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. ... this do, and thou shalt live" (Luke 10:25-28). "And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. ... Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. ... Thy faith hath saved thee" (Luke 7:44, 47-50). The woman's expression of love, and her faith are as two sides of one coin; thus, Obeying the Great Commandments & Believing in Christ are inseparable. #13) Show Charity — "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world ... Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire ... Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal" (Matt. 25:34, 40-41, 45-46). #14) Love your Enemies — "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 5:44-45). #15) Endure to the End — "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved" (Mark 13:13). "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. ... Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted ... and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. ... But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved" (Matt. 24:7-13). "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:10). #16) Done Good — "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation" (John 5:28-29). "Jesus saith unto him, ... I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works... Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also" (John 14:9-12). "And Jesus answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it" (Luke 6:21). |
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* * * * * "For by grace are ye saved THROUGH FAITH [emphasis added]; |
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Again, we "access" God's Saving Grace through faith in our Lord and Savior. And "abiding in the true vine" is the foundational way we manifest faith in Jesus Christ. Notice how the alleged "Free Ticket to Heaven" is simply given by Grace alone, with no mention of the words "through faith." This is just one among many misinterpretations originating from the Most Misinterpreted Verse in the Bible: Ephesians 2:8-9. The words "through faith" affirm what Jesus taught: |
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Believing in Jesus, having Faith in Him, means that we must "follow his steps" (1 Pet. 2:21). For, if there is no "Following" there is no Faith! We must have an active and living Faith in Jesus Christ to be saved by God's Grace. As the Apostle James taught: "faith, if it hath not works is dead, being alone" (James 2:15-17)"—and "dead" faith has no access to Saving Grace.
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