“Salvation by faith not works” has been taught for centuries out of context with “salvation by belief in Jesus,” and by believing His teachings, commandments, warnings, and judgments on how we are to express faith in Him. It’s way easier to believe in and say a sinner’s prayer than to believe in and live out what Jesus said.
“Grace is for sin.” Grace has become associated with lifting up a sinful life rather than grace to serve Him in an earthen vessel. God’s power perfected in weakness was not for a sinful Paul, but for a walking-martyr Paul who was constantly hampered by physical ailments.
“The Christian life is a cycle of being the prodigal son.” “It is to be in a hospital for sinners.” Rather than being healed from sin and its power at conversion in order to start following Jesus and become His priest and ambassador to those around us, it is inferred that we cycle constantly through sin and forgiveness and can never be expected to do anything good, nor should we try.
“Faith is believing the Bible, correct epistle doctrines, statements of faith, and church teaching.” Our object of faith is Jesus, Himself, and all that He told us, Himself, to do. The rest will follow and must fit or be fit with His teachings.
“The authority of scripture is to guide, direct, and discern all of Christianity.” This is a “[Bible] knowledge makes arrogant” red herring that replaces the authority of Jesus, as The Living Word, and His ways in us for “love edifies” that will, in turn, guide, direct, discern, and illumine our path of life.
“Christian holiness and righteousness are the same thing.” The church downplays or negates Jesus’ righteousness in us because it represents good works, and all good works must be avoided (even if they are from Jesus’ teaching and the Holy Spirit’s expression).
“We can’t really know the reasons for suffering as a Christian.” This teaching negates the hope, purpose, peace, and power that a Christian has with suffering. Just read the New Testament again and/or search it with “suffer,” “endure,” “persevere,” “trial,” “discipline,” “loss,” etc. and be very, very, very encouraged (although it’s still suffering!).
“Grace is for sin.” Grace has become associated with lifting up a sinful life rather than grace to serve Him in an earthen vessel. God’s power perfected in weakness was not for a sinful Paul, but for a walking-martyr Paul who was constantly hampered by physical ailments.
“The Christian life is a cycle of being the prodigal son.” “It is to be in a hospital for sinners.” Rather than being healed from sin and its power at conversion in order to start following Jesus and become His priest and ambassador to those around us, it is inferred that we cycle constantly through sin and forgiveness and can never be expected to do anything good, nor should we try.
“Faith is believing the Bible, correct epistle doctrines, statements of faith, and church teaching.” Our object of faith is Jesus, Himself, and all that He told us, Himself, to do. The rest will follow and must fit or be fit with His teachings.
“The authority of scripture is to guide, direct, and discern all of Christianity.” This is a “[Bible] knowledge makes arrogant” red herring that replaces the authority of Jesus, as The Living Word, and His ways in us for “love edifies” that will, in turn, guide, direct, discern, and illumine our path of life.
“Christian holiness and righteousness are the same thing.” The church downplays or negates Jesus’ righteousness in us because it represents good works, and all good works must be avoided (even if they are from Jesus’ teaching and the Holy Spirit’s expression).
“We can’t really know the reasons for suffering as a Christian.” This teaching negates the hope, purpose, peace, and power that a Christian has with suffering. Just read the New Testament again and/or search it with “suffer,” “endure,” “persevere,” “trial,” “discipline,” “loss,” etc. and be very, very, very encouraged (although it’s still suffering!).