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The word man is not in the Greek text. It also says that anyone that not remaining in Christ is cast away. Unbelievers are never in Christ, so they cannot be removed from him for not remaining in him. So a person has to be in Christ first before he can be cast away for not remaining there.
You're being influenced by false teachers.
You're being influenced by false teachers.
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[TD="class: post, colspan: 2"]Here it shows you how and where each named description under the word is show
But the branch verse (John 15:2) isnt being referred to as it points to which verses are gathered these things from but is under 3 b
1. to raise up;
a. to raise from the ground, take up: stones, John 8:59; serpents, Mark 16:18; a dead body, Acts 20:9.
b. to raise upward, elevate, lift up: the hand, Revelation 10:5; the eyes, John 11:41; the voice, i. e., speak in a loud tone, cry out, Luke 17:13; Acts 4:24 (also in secular writings); τήν ψυχήν, to raise the mind, equivalent to excite, affect strongly (with a sense of fear, hope, joy, grief, etc.); in John 10:24 to hold the mind in suspense between doubt and hope, cf. Lucke (or Meyer) at the passage,
c. to draw up: a fish, Matthew 17:27 (ἀνασπᾶν, Habakkuk 1:15); σκάφην, Acts 27:17; anchors from the bottom of the sea, Acts 27:13, where supply τάς ἀγκύρας; cf. Kuinoel at the passage; (Winers Grammar, 594 (552); Buttmann, 146 (127)).
2. to take upon oneself and carry what has been raised, to bear: τινα ἐπί χειρῶν, Matthew 4:6; Luke 4:11 (Psalm 90:12 ()); a sick man, Mark 2:3; ζυγόν, Matthew 11:29(Lamentations 3:27); a bed, Matthew 9:6; Mark 2:9, 11; Luke 5:24; John 5:8-12; τόν σταυρόν, Matt. ( Lachmann marginal reading); ; Luke 9:28; Mark 8:34; Mark 10:21 (in R Lbrackets); Mark 15:21; (λίθον) Revelation 18:21; to carry with one, (A. V. take): Mark 6:8; Luke 9:3; Luke 22:36. Both of these ideas are expressed in classical Greek by the middle αἴρεσθαι.
3. to bear away what has been raised, carry off;
a. to move from its place: Matthew 21:21; Mark 11:23 (ἄρθητι be thou taken up, removed (Buttmann, 52 (45)), namely, from thy place); Matthew 22:13 (Rec.); John 2:16;John 11:39, 41; John 20:1.
b. to take off or away what is attached to anything:John 19:31, 38f; to tear away, Matthew 9:16; Mark 2:21; to rend away, cut off, John 15:2.
c. to remove: 1 Corinthians 5:2 (cast out from the church, where ἀρθῇ should be read for Rec. ἐξαρθῇ); tropically: faults, Ephesians 4:31; τήν ἁμαρτίαν, John 1:29 (36 Lachmann in brackets), to remove the guilt and punishment of sin by expiation, or to cause that sin be neither imputed nor punished (αἴρειν ἁμάρτημα, 1 Samuel 15:25;ἀνόμημα, 1 Samuel 25:28, i. e. to grant pardon for an offence); but in 1 John 3:5 τάς ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν αἴρεινis to cause our sins to cease, i. e., that we no longer sin, while we enter into fellowship with Christ, who is free from sin, and abide in that fellowship, cf. 1 John 3:6.
d. to carry off; carry away with one: Matthew 14:12, 20; Matthew 15:37; Matthew 20:14; Matthew 24:17; Mark 6:29, 43;Mark 8:8, 19; Mark 13:15; Luke 9:17; Luke 17:31; John 20:2, 13, 15; Acts 20:9.
e. to appropriate what is taken: Luke 19:21; Mark 15:24.
f. to take away from another what is his or what is committed to him, to take by force: Luke 6:30; Luke 11:52; τίἀπό with the genitive of person, Matthew 13:12; Matthew 21:43; Matthew 25:28; Luke 8:12, 18; Luke 19:24, 26; (Matthew 25:29); Mark 4 John 10:18; John 16:22;perhaps also with the mere genitive of the person from whom anything is taken, Luke 6:29; Luke 11:22; John 11:48, unless one prefer to regard these as possessive genitive,
g. to take and apply to any use: Acts 21:11; 1 Corinthians 6:15.
h. to take from among the living, either by a natural death, John 17:15 (ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου take away from contact with the world), or by violence, Matthew 24:39; Luke 23:18; John 19:15; Acts 21:36; with the addition of ἀπό τῆς γῆς, Acts 22:22; αἴρεται ἀπό τῆς γῆς ἡ ζῶν αὐτοῦ, of a bloody death inflicted upon one, Acts 8:33 (Isaiah 53:8).
i. of things; to take out of the way, destroy: χειρόγραφον, Colossians 2:14; cause to cease: τήνκρίσιν, Acts 8:33 (Isaiah 53:8). (Compare: ἀπαίρω,ἐξαίρω, ἐπαίρω, μεταίρω, συναίρω, ὑπεραίρω.)
From here Strong's Greek: 142. αἴρω (airó) -- to raise, take up, lift[/TD]
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Your Unbreakable Union with Christ
Some Christians understand their union with the Lord but only half way. “Sure, God is with us, but sometimes he isn’t. He comes and he goes.” It’s true that in the Old Testament the Holy Spirit came upon certain people at certain times, but that was then and this is now.
Jesus said the Holy Spirit abides with us and makes his home with us (John 14:16–17). By home he means home. You are not a motel room for the Lord. You are a walking, talking, living, breathing temple of the Holy Spirit. He is not going anywhere.
“Are you saying that the Holy Spirit is with me even when I sin?” Yes! Christ’s love for you and his union with you is stronger than any sin.
Under the old covenant, sinning was your fast track to disunion. If you sinned you risked being cut off from the people of God.
Jesus said if your hand or eye causes you to sin, get rid of it (Matthew 5:29–30). Why did Jesus preach self-amputation to those born under the law? Because under that covenant it made sense to talk about removing those parts of the body that might contaminate the whole. Thank the Lord the old covenant is gone! We are not under law but grace, and this is good news for the members of the body of Christ.
When we sin, Jesus does not cut us off; we remain members of his body. This totally changes the way we look at sin.
Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! (1 Corinthians 6:15b)
Under the old covenant we were restrained from sin through mortal terror but in the new we are restrained by love. Look again at Paul’s warning about prostitutes. Behind the warning—don’t do it—there is a surprising and reassuring affirmation of union. Paul is saying it is possible, though not advisable, to unite the members of Christ’s body with prostitutes.
Do you see it? Earthly marriages may break and fail, but your union with Christ is unbreakable. Sin cannot break it. Addiction cannot break it. The stupidest decisions you might ever make cannot break it.
This should not be taken as a challenge to see what you can get away with but as a stunning declaration of Christ’s absolute commitment to love you and stick with you no matter what. This is what changes us—not the weak influence of the rule, but the relentless and determined passion of his love.
The love of God is the greatest force in the universe. Sin wilts before it. When you encounter the undaunted and unending love of Christ, it changes you. You no longer want to sin. The passing pleasures of this world lose their appeal because you have found a love that is truer and better by far.
https://escapetoreality.org/2016/01/07/your-unbreakable-union-with-christ/
Some Christians understand their union with the Lord but only half way. “Sure, God is with us, but sometimes he isn’t. He comes and he goes.” It’s true that in the Old Testament the Holy Spirit came upon certain people at certain times, but that was then and this is now.
Jesus said the Holy Spirit abides with us and makes his home with us (John 14:16–17). By home he means home. You are not a motel room for the Lord. You are a walking, talking, living, breathing temple of the Holy Spirit. He is not going anywhere.
“Are you saying that the Holy Spirit is with me even when I sin?” Yes! Christ’s love for you and his union with you is stronger than any sin.
Under the old covenant, sinning was your fast track to disunion. If you sinned you risked being cut off from the people of God.
Jesus said if your hand or eye causes you to sin, get rid of it (Matthew 5:29–30). Why did Jesus preach self-amputation to those born under the law? Because under that covenant it made sense to talk about removing those parts of the body that might contaminate the whole. Thank the Lord the old covenant is gone! We are not under law but grace, and this is good news for the members of the body of Christ.
When we sin, Jesus does not cut us off; we remain members of his body. This totally changes the way we look at sin.
Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! (1 Corinthians 6:15b)
Under the old covenant we were restrained from sin through mortal terror but in the new we are restrained by love. Look again at Paul’s warning about prostitutes. Behind the warning—don’t do it—there is a surprising and reassuring affirmation of union. Paul is saying it is possible, though not advisable, to unite the members of Christ’s body with prostitutes.
Do you see it? Earthly marriages may break and fail, but your union with Christ is unbreakable. Sin cannot break it. Addiction cannot break it. The stupidest decisions you might ever make cannot break it.
This should not be taken as a challenge to see what you can get away with but as a stunning declaration of Christ’s absolute commitment to love you and stick with you no matter what. This is what changes us—not the weak influence of the rule, but the relentless and determined passion of his love.
The love of God is the greatest force in the universe. Sin wilts before it. When you encounter the undaunted and unending love of Christ, it changes you. You no longer want to sin. The passing pleasures of this world lose their appeal because you have found a love that is truer and better by far.
https://escapetoreality.org/2016/01/07/your-unbreakable-union-with-christ/
All that is doing is showing that James Strong ( which is based on the King James "version" ) put in the words where and how the translators used them in the KJV. Strong's just shows how it was used in the KJV which may or may not be correct.
This is meaningless with the usage of the word in the original Greek as it would have been used from the people of the day that know about vinedressers. ( for further understanding one can go the post about Abiding in the Vine. Post #335 )
This is meaningless with the usage of the word in the original Greek as it would have been used from the people of the day that know about vinedressers. ( for further understanding one can go the post about Abiding in the Vine. Post #335 )
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The idea that union with Christ cannot be broken is a Christian gnostic teaching. In the early days of the church they created new writings to support their views (e.g., Gospel of Thomas). Now they simply redefine numerous biblical words and concepts, twist scripture, and ignore some scripture to support their views. Co-op, deconstruct, redefine.
R
You run around these forums telling blood bought believers they can end up unsaved and go to hell again.
"Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." Rom 8:33-34
"Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." Rom 8:33-34
Well....according to some people.....it looks like Jesus is either a liar or is deceiving us as some in here want believers to believe. I personally believe neither but everyone is free to believe what they want.
John 8:35 (NASB)
[SUP]35 [/SUP] "The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. ( remain = same Greek word used in John 15 )
1 John 3:2 (KJV)
[SUP]2 [/SUP] Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
John 14:16-17 (NASB)
[SUP]16 [/SUP] "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; ( "with you" is the same Greek word as "abide" used in John 15 )
[SUP]17 [/SUP] that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. ( same word used in John 15 about "abiding in Christ" )
We could go on and on with tons of scripture like "No one can pluck us out of His hands nor the Father's Hands and no one includes everyone , even us, ( which we would never want to do anyways..)
John 8:35 (NASB)
[SUP]35 [/SUP] "The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. ( remain = same Greek word used in John 15 )
1 John 3:2 (KJV)
[SUP]2 [/SUP] Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
John 14:16-17 (NASB)
[SUP]16 [/SUP] "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; ( "with you" is the same Greek word as "abide" used in John 15 )
[SUP]17 [/SUP] that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. ( same word used in John 15 about "abiding in Christ" )
We could go on and on with tons of scripture like "No one can pluck us out of His hands nor the Father's Hands and no one includes everyone , even us, ( which we would never want to do anyways..)
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You yourself posted the bare bones of it in post #360
You just highlighted the first part alone because that is your choice line, whereas I highlighted the entire thing, including which verses the defintion brings under itself for those references.
It just brings John 15:2 under part 3b whereas you highlight part 1 whereas John 15:2 isnt referred to in that part
Yes, sons remain forever, but sons are those who follow the holy spirit.
So those who don't follow the spirit of GOD are not sons of GOD.
For if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all those who are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:13-14
So those who don't follow the spirit of GOD are not sons of GOD.
Here is how we "obey His voice"...but to some Jesus is again lying to us. I personally am a believer in Jesus. and in His commands to believe in Him.
John 3:16 (NASB)
[SUP]16 [/SUP] "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
We keep His commandments.
1 John 3:23-24 (NASB)
[SUP]23 [/SUP] This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ,and love one another, just as He commanded us.
[SUP]24 [/SUP] The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. ( here we are "abiding" in Him again because we believe in Him and because we believe we love because He first loved us )
The gospel of the grace of Christ is glorious and we shouldn't let anyone try to take this truth from us.
John 3:16 (NASB)
[SUP]16 [/SUP] "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
We keep His commandments.
1 John 3:23-24 (NASB)
[SUP]23 [/SUP] This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ,and love one another, just as He commanded us.
[SUP]24 [/SUP] The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. ( here we are "abiding" in Him again because we believe in Him and because we believe we love because He first loved us )
The gospel of the grace of Christ is glorious and we shouldn't let anyone try to take this truth from us.
We are now sons of God....we don't become "un-sons"...lol....the Spirit of God always leads us and if we listen to Him, He will stop a lot of destruction that is wanting to come against us in this life.....especially from those that are against the grace of God for us to lead us to rely on the flesh and not on the Spirit of grace. They want to rely on "their" own works for salvation.
1 John 3:2 (KJV)
[SUP]2 [/SUP] Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1 John 3:2 (KJV)
[SUP]2 [/SUP] Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
R
"Christian gnostics....blah blah blah......"
The fact you say a blood bought saint can be condemned by God one day and go to hell shows me how much you regard the blood of the Lamb. Why don't you discuss the blood of Jesus in your arguments? The blood is central to the topic of salvation! You say that works of righteousness saves us. That is the most clearest admission of salvation by works I have ever seen!
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" Titus 3:5
The fact you say a blood bought saint can be condemned by God one day and go to hell shows me how much you regard the blood of the Lamb. Why don't you discuss the blood of Jesus in your arguments? The blood is central to the topic of salvation! You say that works of righteousness saves us. That is the most clearest admission of salvation by works I have ever seen!
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" Titus 3:5
Everything Jesus spoke is for us to obey.
That includes praying for forgiveness of sins:
And why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I tell [you]? Luke 6:46
That includes praying for forgiveness of sins:
And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation.” Luke 11:4
It also includes being "perfect" as the Father is perfect. How are we doing with that one outside of Christ?
Matthew 5:48 (KJV)
[SUP]48 [/SUP] Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
It also includes cutting off your hand and plucking out your eyes if you have ever lusted after some one or thing.
It also includes "Going to Jerusalem then to Judea and Samaria and then to the outermost pasts of the world. If you have not followed that sequence then you are not doing what Jesus said. " Why do you call me Lord, Lord?...and not do all that He commanded".
We need to rightly divide the scripture. We need to read all scripture through the "lens" of the finished work of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 5:48 (KJV)
[SUP]48 [/SUP] Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
It also includes cutting off your hand and plucking out your eyes if you have ever lusted after some one or thing.
It also includes "Going to Jerusalem then to Judea and Samaria and then to the outermost pasts of the world. If you have not followed that sequence then you are not doing what Jesus said. " Why do you call me Lord, Lord?...and not do all that He commanded".
We need to rightly divide the scripture. We need to read all scripture through the "lens" of the finished work of Jesus Christ.
This short article may help those wondering about how to read scripture. We can get scripture to say anything we want if we don't take all the other scripture in context. I use this website as he has tackled a lot of the obscure scriptures as well as refutes the false accusations of those that are against the grace of Christ as Paul preached it.
Rightly Dividing the Word: How to Read Your Bible Without Getting Confused
Have you ever been confused by a Bible teaching that seemed contrary to something else in the Bible? Have you ever read a scripture that seemed to contradict another scripture?
Paul said that the entire Bible is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16). But he also said that we need to “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15). We divide the word whenever we emphasize one scripture over another. So how do we divide the word rightly?
In essence there are two questions we should ask when reading any scripture in the Bible:
(i) What does this passage mean in light of the finished work of the cross?
And (ii) who is the writer writing to or about?
The filter of the cross
To hear some people preach today you might conclude that the cross was of no significance. In truth, Jesus’ death on the cross is the single most important event in human history.
Before the cross the old law covenant reigned. But after the cross a new covenant based on grace made the old covenant obsolete (Heb 8:13). Under the old covenant you were blessed if you were good, but under the new covenant we are blessed because He is good. Consider these contrasts from scripture:
Before the cross we were blessed when we obeyed and cursed when we disobeyed (Deut 11:26-28). But after the cross we are blessed because we are forgiven (Rms 4:8) and we are redeemed from the curse of the law (Gal 3:13).
Before the cross we forgave in order to earn God’s forgiveness (Mt 6:14). But at the cross we were unconditionally forgiven and we now forgive because Christ has forgiven us (Eph 4:32; Col 3:13).
Before the cross loving your neighbor meant not coveting his wife or property (Deut 5:21). But after the cross we love and accept others because Christ loves and accepts us (1 Jn 4:19; Rms 15:7).
Before the cross God was distant and unapproachable (Ex 19:12). But because of the cross we have been brought near to God to receive mercy and find grace (Eph 2:13; Heb 4:16).
Before the cross God held us responsible for our sins and not even sacrifices could clear a guilty conscience (Lev 5:17; Heb 9:9). But because of the cross Jesus’ blood cleanses us from a guilty conscience (Heb 10:22) and He remembers our sins no more (Heb 8:12).
Before the cross God said “Thou shalt not” (Ex 20). But after the cross God says “I will” (Heb 8:8-12). Before the cross it’s “do, do, do”. After the cross it’s “done, done done”.
Before the cross righteousness was demanded of sinful man (Deut 6:25). But at the cross righteousness was freely given (Rms 5:17).
Before the cross Adam’s sin meant condemnation for all men (Rms 5:18). But there is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Rms 8:1).
When we read the Bible we should ask, is this scripture describing the old
law covenant which condemns sinners or the new grace covenant which makes sinners righteous?
If you are a Christian, you need not fear the condemnation of the law. Instead, rejoice that you are the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor 5:21).
Consider the audience
When reading the Bible it’s also important to note who the words were written for, otherwise you might end up taking someone else’s medicine. There are only two kinds of people – those who put their faith in Jesus and those who don’t. Consequently the Holy Spirit brings two different convictions (Jn 16:8-10):
(i) Jesus said the Holy Spirit would convict the world of guilt for the sin of unbelief (Jn 16:9). Many things in the New Testament are written for unbelievers. Paul, Peter, John, Jude and James all had things to say to those who did not see their need for a Savior (e.g., 1 Jn 1:5-10). The apostles also wrote to warn the church about sinners masquerading as prophets and preachers (e.g., 2 Pet 2). Strong words of judgment and condemnation given to sinners do not apply to those whom Christ has qualified.
(ii) Jesus also said the Holy Spirit would convict Christians of righteousness (Jn 16:10). We do not need to be reminded of our shortcomings, but we often need to be reminded of our right standing before God (2 Cor 5:21).
Much of the New Testament was written to assure Christians that we belong to God and that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (Rms 8:38-39). Not even our sin can separate us because God’s grace is greater than our sin (Rms 5:15).
When we fail the Holy Spirit does not condemn us – there is no condemnation to those in Christ. Rather He reminds us that we are righteous, that we are kept by Jesus (Ju 24), that we are the Father’s sons (Gal 4:6), and that our hope is firm and secure (Heb 6:19). When we make mistakes Jesus doesn’t condemn us, He defends us (1 Jn 2:1) and then He teaches us how to say no to ungodliness (Tit 2:12).
Rightly dividing the word means reading the Bible in the context of the finished work of the cross. It means we interpret scripture in light of what Jesus has done. The entire Bible reveals Jesus (Lk 24:27). Read the Bible to find Jesus.
https://escapetoreality.org/2010/03...-to-read-your-bible-without-getting-confused/
Rightly Dividing the Word: How to Read Your Bible Without Getting Confused
Have you ever been confused by a Bible teaching that seemed contrary to something else in the Bible? Have you ever read a scripture that seemed to contradict another scripture?
Paul said that the entire Bible is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16). But he also said that we need to “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15). We divide the word whenever we emphasize one scripture over another. So how do we divide the word rightly?
In essence there are two questions we should ask when reading any scripture in the Bible:
(i) What does this passage mean in light of the finished work of the cross?
And (ii) who is the writer writing to or about?
The filter of the cross
To hear some people preach today you might conclude that the cross was of no significance. In truth, Jesus’ death on the cross is the single most important event in human history.
Before the cross the old law covenant reigned. But after the cross a new covenant based on grace made the old covenant obsolete (Heb 8:13). Under the old covenant you were blessed if you were good, but under the new covenant we are blessed because He is good. Consider these contrasts from scripture:
Before the cross we were blessed when we obeyed and cursed when we disobeyed (Deut 11:26-28). But after the cross we are blessed because we are forgiven (Rms 4:8) and we are redeemed from the curse of the law (Gal 3:13).
Before the cross we forgave in order to earn God’s forgiveness (Mt 6:14). But at the cross we were unconditionally forgiven and we now forgive because Christ has forgiven us (Eph 4:32; Col 3:13).
Before the cross loving your neighbor meant not coveting his wife or property (Deut 5:21). But after the cross we love and accept others because Christ loves and accepts us (1 Jn 4:19; Rms 15:7).
Before the cross God was distant and unapproachable (Ex 19:12). But because of the cross we have been brought near to God to receive mercy and find grace (Eph 2:13; Heb 4:16).
Before the cross God held us responsible for our sins and not even sacrifices could clear a guilty conscience (Lev 5:17; Heb 9:9). But because of the cross Jesus’ blood cleanses us from a guilty conscience (Heb 10:22) and He remembers our sins no more (Heb 8:12).
Before the cross God said “Thou shalt not” (Ex 20). But after the cross God says “I will” (Heb 8:8-12). Before the cross it’s “do, do, do”. After the cross it’s “done, done done”.
Before the cross righteousness was demanded of sinful man (Deut 6:25). But at the cross righteousness was freely given (Rms 5:17).
Before the cross Adam’s sin meant condemnation for all men (Rms 5:18). But there is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Rms 8:1).
When we read the Bible we should ask, is this scripture describing the old
law covenant which condemns sinners or the new grace covenant which makes sinners righteous?
If you are a Christian, you need not fear the condemnation of the law. Instead, rejoice that you are the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor 5:21).
Consider the audience
When reading the Bible it’s also important to note who the words were written for, otherwise you might end up taking someone else’s medicine. There are only two kinds of people – those who put their faith in Jesus and those who don’t. Consequently the Holy Spirit brings two different convictions (Jn 16:8-10):
(i) Jesus said the Holy Spirit would convict the world of guilt for the sin of unbelief (Jn 16:9). Many things in the New Testament are written for unbelievers. Paul, Peter, John, Jude and James all had things to say to those who did not see their need for a Savior (e.g., 1 Jn 1:5-10). The apostles also wrote to warn the church about sinners masquerading as prophets and preachers (e.g., 2 Pet 2). Strong words of judgment and condemnation given to sinners do not apply to those whom Christ has qualified.
(ii) Jesus also said the Holy Spirit would convict Christians of righteousness (Jn 16:10). We do not need to be reminded of our shortcomings, but we often need to be reminded of our right standing before God (2 Cor 5:21).
Much of the New Testament was written to assure Christians that we belong to God and that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (Rms 8:38-39). Not even our sin can separate us because God’s grace is greater than our sin (Rms 5:15).
When we fail the Holy Spirit does not condemn us – there is no condemnation to those in Christ. Rather He reminds us that we are righteous, that we are kept by Jesus (Ju 24), that we are the Father’s sons (Gal 4:6), and that our hope is firm and secure (Heb 6:19). When we make mistakes Jesus doesn’t condemn us, He defends us (1 Jn 2:1) and then He teaches us how to say no to ungodliness (Tit 2:12).
Rightly dividing the word means reading the Bible in the context of the finished work of the cross. It means we interpret scripture in light of what Jesus has done. The entire Bible reveals Jesus (Lk 24:27). Read the Bible to find Jesus.
https://escapetoreality.org/2010/03...-to-read-your-bible-without-getting-confused/