The Daily Word of Righteousness

Scripture or Myth?, #13

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (Ephesians 5:3-5)

To say the warnings of the Apostle Paul, found in several of the Epistles, do not apply to Christian believers is to cast aside every principle of sound biblical interpretation. Of course they apply to Christian people! However, because of our twisted interpretation of Paul's doctrine of grace we cannot understand how Paul could tell us on the one hand that no matter what we do God does not see our behavior, and then on the other hand warn us that if we walk in the flesh we will die spiritually.

The fact is, we do not understand Paul—that Orthodox Jew who was seeking the righteousness found only in Christ. We suppose Paul is saying we are free to live without moral restraint because the grace of God covers our behavior. What confusion!

The teachers of today claim the above commandment could not possibly apply to Christians because they are saved by grace. They declare we shall not surely die even though God's Word states we shall surely die.

Paul warns that believers who practice these behaviors have no inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God.

What do you say?

As for the doctrine that no believer has any reason to fear the Judgment Seat of Christ, the contrary is expressed with utmost clarity in the Scripture. Each person shall receive the good he has done. Each person shall receive the bad he has done. Paul persuaded people to live as always being in the Presence of the Lord because he knew the terror of the Lord Jesus the Judge.

And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. (II Corinthians 5:15)

The teaching of today is that the Christian will not receive the evil he has done because he is saved by grace.

The original lie was, "Thou shalt not surely die."

The preachers of today are saying to the Christians, "Ye shall not surely die."

Our position is that if the believer does not seek Christ until he is able to cease walking in the flesh, he shall surely die spiritually. He shall slay his eternal life.

For if ye [Christians] live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (Romans 8:13)

It is not scriptural that God sees Christ and not our personality and behavior. This is a myth.

It is not scriptural that the words of the Lord Jesus recorded in the Gospel accounts do not apply to the believers. This is a myth.

It is not scriptural that the warnings found in the Epistles do not apply to Christians. This is a myth.

It is not scriptural that the believers at the Judgment Seat of Christ will not receive the evil they have practiced while in the world. This is a myth.

If we understand the Scriptures correctly, the Christian churches are in urgent need of repentance. Otherwise our generation of believers will face an angry Christ and destruction in the Day of the Lord.

To be continued.