“Salvation by faith not works” is about the endless, unattainable works of the law and has been taught for centuries apart from “salvation by faith in Jesus” to believe and then work out Jesus' teachings, commandments, warnings, and judgments in our lives. Would Paul have read all Jesus' covenant expectations and conditions of being His Father's true children and said, "no, nope, not necessary"? Paul supplemented Jesus' teachings; he did not supplant them. There is more than enough forgiveness and grace, but under Jesus' teachings that follow, rather than replace, Him.
“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 to live out the prodigal son.” “The church is 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 are never expected to do anything good, nor should we try since, "we're not perfect, just forgiven." We only started as the "prodigal son" in order to live out "the good Samaritan" to God and our neighbor.
“Faith is believing God, the Bible, doctrines of salvation, statements of faith, and church teachings.” Our object of faith is Jesus, Himself, and all that He told us, Himself, to do. He is the Living Word, He is the truth, and the rest of the "written word" supplements, rather than supplants, Him. He has precedence over all scripture and the only way to the Father is through Him. "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him!"
“The authority of scripture is to guide and direct all of Christianity.” All scripture certainly is true but leads to very different paths compared to "Jesus is the guide and director of all Christianity." "Knowing the Bible" inevitably leads to “knowledge makes arrogant” that replaces knowing Jesus, The Living Word, Who tells us how to love God and our neighbor so that "knowledge makes arrogant" will daily become “love edifies."
“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 Jesus’ teaching and the Holy Spirit living through us).
“We can’t 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 (even though 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 to live out the prodigal son.” “The church is 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 are never expected to do anything good, nor should we try since, "we're not perfect, just forgiven." We only started as the "prodigal son" in order to live out "the good Samaritan" to God and our neighbor.
“Faith is believing God, the Bible, doctrines of salvation, statements of faith, and church teachings.” Our object of faith is Jesus, Himself, and all that He told us, Himself, to do. He is the Living Word, He is the truth, and the rest of the "written word" supplements, rather than supplants, Him. He has precedence over all scripture and the only way to the Father is through Him. "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him!"
“The authority of scripture is to guide and direct all of Christianity.” All scripture certainly is true but leads to very different paths compared to "Jesus is the guide and director of all Christianity." "Knowing the Bible" inevitably leads to “knowledge makes arrogant” that replaces knowing Jesus, The Living Word, Who tells us how to love God and our neighbor so that "knowledge makes arrogant" will daily become “love edifies."
“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 Jesus’ teaching and the Holy Spirit living through us).
“We can’t 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 (even though it’s still suffering!).