Compare and Contrast (part 2)

As we continue to compare and contrast verses spoken to different audiences, I will be the first to admit the material was not installed into my inner man by a Holy Ghost unction or anointing, but rather through the process of study. In the next two verse comparisons, the contrast is stark. There is absolutely no way Jose that you can read the verses below and conclude they are saying the same thing. Let's take a look.

• Deuteronomy 6:25 And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.

COMPARE TO:

• Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

This one is obvious is it not? Deut.6:25; Righteousness by DOING something, keeping the commandments. Romans 10:4; Christ is the END of the law for righteousness!

The Apostle Paul speaks to the fact that righteousness WAS by commandment keeping and validates Deut.6:25 in Romans 10:5 saying......For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

One of my favorite verses in the entire Bible is Galatians 2:20 , I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. The next verse is often ignored, verse 21 should be a cross reference for Romans 10:4 if it is not already.

• Galatians 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Today, as we operate under the doctrines associated with the dispensation of the grace of God, things have changed. We are not under the performance requirements under the law for our source of righteousness as seen in verses such as....

• John 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
• Acts 10:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
• Matthew 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
• Matthew 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

That is just a sampling of verses demonstrating the command to DO STUFF in order to be acceptable and counted as righteous. Our Apostle Paul ,for this present dispensation of the grace of God given to him for usward has an entirely different message, as we see in the following verses.

• Titus 3:5 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;
• Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
• Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
• Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
• 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Righteousness is not earned by doing stuff. Righteousness cannot be by keeping the commandments. Righteousness cannot be obtained by selling your stuff and giving to the poor and following Jesus footsteps any longer. There is a new message, new doctrines, new marching orders and new commandments given for us operating today in this dispensing of God's grace. Righteousness is imputed to our account when we trust the finished work of Jesus Christ in that He died for your sins, was buried, and rose the third according to the scriptures. It is a trade off, Christ took your sins on the cross, you trust in Him and He imputes His righteousness to your account. Paul speaks concerning Abraham in Romans 4 dealing with this imputation of righteousness.

• Romans 4:24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
• Romans 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Clearly, the Bible does not say the same thing to everyone at all times. Moses was given the information by Jehovah God for the nation Israel the same as Paul was given the information by the risen Lord Jesus Christ for the church, the body of Christ for this present dispensation of the grace of God. Things that are different are different and need not be wrested to fit your theology. If something does not fit into your belief system, your belief system needs adjusted, not the inerrant infallible word of God in the authorized King James Bible. Do not make the mistake so many folks fall into thinking you can go anywhere in the scriptures for your doctrine. Paul was clear in 2ND Timothy 2:15 saying the correct understanding of God's words are only improvable by implementing right division. It's so easy, what's Israel's is Israel's, what is for the body of Christ is for the body of Christ. They are different and demand to be "rightly divided.

• Ephesians 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.