Compare and Contrast (part 6)

This will be the last post comparing and contrasting verses to demonstrate the different message given to Israel according to their covenant, commandment keeping, performance oriented doctrines with that of the grace doctrines given to the church, the body of Christ through the Apostle Paul for this present dispensation of the grace of God. The next two verses were two that got me to realize the importance of 2ND Timothy 2:15 which says:

• 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

These next two verses for comparison deal with the forgiveness of trespasses. One is conditional, the other is unconditional. Can you determine which is which?

• Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

COMPARE TO:

• Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

I know, that was too easy. Mathew 6:14 is so clearly conditional on your performance it jumps off the page. The next verse makes it even clearer in:

• Matthew 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Forgiveness of trespasses based upon your own forgiveness of others. That is so plainly a covenant position and could not be twisted to say otherwise. The key word in any covenant is "IF". If you do something, then God will do something. We can look at a vast number of verses demonstrating the covenant doctrines given to Israel but one that everybody should be familiar with is a bumper sticker verse from 2ND Chronicles saying:

• 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Notice the very first word, "If "followed by the response to the correct action, "then". If and then constitute a covenant relationship. We today have no leverage over God by following the doctrines associated with Israel's covenant. We have a more excellent way. We place our faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ, His death, burial and resurrection for the total payment for ALL of our trespasses and sins. That is why Colossians 2:13 states He has forgiven us ALL our trespasses. Our trespasses had not even occurred when this passage was written, yet they were already forgiven. When you make that statement to your church friends, they look at you like you have two heads or have gone off the deep end with no water in the pool. The answer is easily found in 2ND Corinthians 5 stating:

• 2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

It has been nearly 2000 years since the dispensation of the grace of God was instituted and yet, your church going friends go to churches where they will pray the Mathew 6 disciples prayer saying "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive others their trespasses against us". How sad that is when the truth is God hasn't imputed trespasses unto men for nearly 2000 years. Talk about a steep learning curve, mercy. The truth is, this is a vital understanding of the revelation of the mystery given to the Apostle Paul for us ward. If a person dies and goes to Hell during this present dispensation of the grace of God, it isn't because of their sins, it would be because they have failed to put their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, His death, His burial, His resurrection.....alone. God placed our sins upon Christ on Calvary's cross, imputation. When we trust in what He did, God places His righteousness to our account, imputation.

• 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.

These types of comparison and contrasting could continue for quite a while. Instead, start making a list of your own. Do the study and be the unashamed workman approved unto God, rightly dividing the word of truth. It gets easier and easier once you see the clear separation of law and grace, prophecy and mystery, Israel and the church the body of Christ. Oh, I forgot one. James 2:24 compared to Romans 5:1. I have an idea....you do the comparison and contrast the verses. It is enjoyable and more importantly, it is edifying. Grace and Peace!