796. Paul: Jesus Broke Down the Wall of Separation (The Law of Commandments)

This week we’re in the second chapter of Ephesians. Paul keeps pounding away for each group of churches he is writing to regarding the good news message of salvation coming by grace through faith, and not of works. There is nothing left for any of us to boast in what we do.

In this passage, he reveals how the barrier or dividing wall which had kept Israel in bondage and Gentiles without a covenant — that wall was broken down by Jesus so these two groups of people could become one in Christ.

What was that wall of separation? It was the law of commandments contained in ordinances … and Jesus brought down this enmity in order to reconcile the world to God.

   
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795. Paul: One Gospel, One Covenant - There Is No Longer Jew and Gentile

Continuing to review nuggets of grace from the Apostle Paul, we’re in the book of Galatians and the first part of Ephesians. Paul emphasizes grace over works as he refers to an (unearned) inheritance received in Christ, where believers are no longer viewed as Jews and Gentile, slave or free, male or female. We are all one in Christ, where there is one gospel message of grace for all. The previous covenant from Mt. Sinai brought spiritual bondage but we’ve all been brought into a new and different covenant, where we’ve been sealed with the Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance—resulting in freedom in Christ.

   
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794. Paul: One Gospel for All - Don’t Set Aside Grace in Exchange for Works

When Paul came to the knowledge of Christ’s saving grace, he spent several years being taught the gospel message by God through revelation, and declared how he had not received this from men. He spent much of his time proclaiming this good news of grace to both Jews and Gentiles. Paul came down hard on those who were preaching “another gospel” and even went so far as to say that anyone who was teaching something different than the gospel of grace … let them be accursed. And what was that different gospel? Paul reveals to the Galatian churches it involved mixing law with grace.

Things haven’t changed much in the past 2,000 years. Although the rules and regulations are tweaked based upon religious brands and cultural changes, the Christian religious system often weakens the message by emphasizing a works-based message while putting grace on the shelf. Grace may be used as a selling point, but watch out for the fine print.

   
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793. Paul’s Proclamation: Justified by Believing (16th Anniversary Program)

We reminisce just a little bit as we look back on 16 years of doing the Growing in Grace podcast … And then we jump back into Paul’s declarations about the gospel of grace through faith. We’re in Romans 10 this week, where Paul continues his consistent flow of the message in his letter, pointing out how Christ became the end of the law (works) for all who believe. He compares how Moses wrote about righteousness through a law that required people to actually do it (but all fell short).

That is contrasted with righteousness which is based upon faith, not works—confessing a word of faith by mouthing Jesus as Lord and believing with the heart God raised Him from the dead, resulting in righteousness (or justification) and salvation. And over and over again, Paul reveals it works the same for both Jew and Greek: Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. Be aware of a works-based message being thrown into the mix with requirements which are made to put the responsibility upon you regarding salvation or God’s acceptance.

   
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