Why people get so confused when studying the Bible.

[Christine]

Anything found in Mt, Mk, Lk and Jn is Jesus speaking directly and specifically TO and ABOUT the Nation of Israel in times PAST. It has NOTHING whatsoever to do with US today, but is there for our "learning, as to how God dealt with THEM."

Catholics and many professing Christians who have no knowledge of how to study a Bible so as to find the answers easily, have crammed all the Bible into one huge smorgasbord of unappetizing ghoulosh. God meant for us to keep Judaism and Christianity SEPARATE so that we might understand how He is dealing with mankind in the present day. That is why you will find so much confusion between what this church believes and what that church believes today. They are NOT studying Gods Word Gods way, and are mixing up the two separate and distinct systems of worship that are found in the Bible.

God has ONLY one way to be reconciled to Him today and to live the Christian life. It is NOT based on works or law or performance, but in trusting Christ Risen to live His life in and thru us on a daily basis by GRACE thru faith in the finished work of Christ.

Peter is not our apostle with our instructions. He is Israels apostle with THEIR instructions.

Yet many folks who call themselves "christians" will quote from their letters to give you what they think is good sound advice. God is simply NOT operating in that program today, and many of these well meaning people simply are NOT AWARE of that FACT, which Scripture tells us very clearly. Instead they are trying to follow along with their particular denominations teachings and every one of them is teaching something DIFFERENT.

No wonder folks are so confused. God doesn't want you confused, He wants you to KNOW what plan He is operating under today so that YOU can cooperate with Him in it.

[Roofdad]

For those of us that rightly divide the word of truth, this just seems so evident, and we begin to take this truth for granted, as people so often will do when they know that they know that they know. But to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery is quite a task, sometimes! When you are a person that rightly divides, and you are trying to make this truth evident to others, one can almost grasp what the apostle Paul faced nearly 20 centuries ago. People will scorn you, call you a liar, tell you that you are a heretic, and some will actually proceed to tell you how God is going to punish you for spreading lies and false doctrine!

What a pity, Christine! In reading the PLOT, you can see the truths taught within its pages happening before your eyes....... men that wish to be justified by the Law, or wish to measure themselves, and their performance against what the Law taught. The apostle Paul warns us against this practice, citing that when a man does this, then his (Paul's) labor has been in vain, as well as Christ's performance on the cross being of no profit to you. Not that it will cause a loss of salvation, but at the very least, rob you of your peace that comes from walking in the Spirit, and trusting in Christ's finished work on the cross.

How can a man enter into the rest that is in Christ, when they do this? I do not believe that they can. They rob their own selves of their Christian joy. I see this in my very own family! A loved one of mine has attempted to walk with Christ for nearly 20 years, and is just plain miserable, trying to "measure up" to the expectations that God held the nation Israel to! How sad that is to me....... especially when nothing I say about rightly dividing the word seems to make any difference.

[Christine]

Oh Darryl....I know, I know. I experience the same sad frustration that you express here on a daily basis. In fact, I spent part of the day in tears due to the isolation that this imposes.

All we can be is faithful to what we KNOW, in hopes that some will leave their superstitious, legalistic thoughts and embrace truth. You are not alone in this. Satan tries to turn the isolation into desperation but we cannot allow it. I speak as much to myself as to you, dear brother, as this is a daily struggle for me as well.

You have NO idea how your posts encourage and edify me even at my lowest points. I rejoice that you not only SEE the fellowship of the mystery, but that you are willing to endure the hardship that goes with our high calling. It is all part of the sufferings we are promised along with the precious message that has been entrusted to us.

Lets help each other to hold fast to that which is TRUE even if no other soul in the world believes it. Our Lord and Savior deserves no less from we who are the recipients of His awesome grace. Isn't He just AWESOME?

Huuuugs and thank you, Darryl. I hope we can both continue to be there for each other in this incredible journey of walking by faith, so that Our Lord gets all the glory.

Your fellow traveler and friend,
Christine