Ever read something in the Bible that seemed to contradict something else in the Bible? I used to be confused about those apparent contradictions, but now I love them. I know that if I dig a little, I will likely uncover a gem. The entire Bible is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16). But we also need to “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). That well-worn phrase comes from the King James Version. Other translations say we need to accurately handle or rightly handle the word of truth. How do we do that? How do we rightly divide the word of truth? It all comes down to covenants. 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 cross? And (ii) who is the writer writing to or about? Let’s start with the cross, which is the dividing point between the old and new covenants (and the single most important event in human history). Before the cross the old law covenant reigned, but after the cross a new covenant made the old one obsolete (Heb. 8:13). Under the old covenant you were blessed if you were good, but under the new covenant we are blessed because God is good. Consider these contrasts: Before the cross we were blessed when we obeyed and cursed when we disobeyed (Deu. 11:26-28). But after the cross we are blessed because Jesus obeyed and we have been set free from the curse of the law (Eph. 1:3, Gal. 3:13). Before the cross we forgave in order to earn God’s forgiveness (Matt. 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 (Deu. 5:21). But after the cross we love and accept others because Christ loves and accepts us (1 John 4:19; Rom. 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 and he remembers our sins no more (Heb. 8:12, 10:22). Before the cross we said “We will” (Ex. 19:9). 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 (Deu. 6:25). But at the cross righteousness was freely given (Rom. 5:17). Before the cross Adam’s sin meant condemnation for all men (Rom. 5:18). But because of the cross there is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom. 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? That’s the first question. Here’s the second. Who’s the audience? It’s also important to ask who the words were written for, otherwise you might end up taking someone else’s medicine. Because there are two kinds of people - those who put their faith in Jesus and those who don’t - the Holy Spirit uses the scriptures to bring two convictions: The Holy Spirit seeks to convict the world of unbelief (John 16:9) If you are an unbeliever, the Holy Spirit (and a good preacher) will use the scriptures to convince you that God is good and trustworthy. Through the Son he will seek to reveal the unfailing love of the Father so that you may believe and have life in his name (John 20:31). The Holy Spirit convicts Christians of their righteousness (John 16:10) With so much guilt and condemnation in the world, we who are in Christ 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 our Father and nothing can separate us from his love (Rom. 8:38-39). The short version: Rightly dividing the word means reading the Bible to see Jesus. It is through a revelation of the Son that we come to understand who God is, how much he loves us, and all the good things he has planned for us. The entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, reveals Jesus. Read the Bible to see Jesus
Jennifer, there was a time when I was younger when I wanted to join the military. I tried to get in. Just wasn't met to be. Jesus had other plans I guess. I've joined the army of the Lord now days. I'm armed up, and ready for Armageddon. 😊 I'm coming on a horse with Jesus. Guns blazing baby... Yeeeeeeeehaaaaa. 🤠 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Do you guys know what a Karen is? Yea, I got one in my neighborhood. I think these kinda people are possessed. I know her behavior isnt Godly. She's been messing with me. I'm trying to be nice and trying not to escalate things in this neighborhood. God says to keep my mouth shut, and love your neighbor. Doesn't he? And he will deal with these people. I hope and pray this lady gets saved, or just leave me alone! I hate dealing with this.
You will also get all twisted up in your mind with the KJB too. But once you learn to read it properly. Meaning follow 2nd Timothy 2:15 says to rightly divide it. It's extremely important to learn how to rightly divide, know dispensations and don't take the true bible kjv out of context, and you'll be fine. It will all come together perfectly providing you follow God's instructions. And study it. Don't just read it. I promise. It will all make perfect sense. I just learned this myself a few years ago. And, I was apart of the pentecostal movement for probably most of my life. I'm so very thankful I got out of that cult!!!
Hi people. Just wanted to apologize to Jennifer and everyone else for my cuss words today. I'm just trying to make a point. I don't like cuss words either. it truly doesn't sound good. But, ya know what. I'm NOT going to repent to Jesus the way pentecostals think repent means. They don't know what repent means. I don't need to ask Jesus for forgiveness. My sins are covered under the Blood. Past. Present and Future. From what the true word of God says...kjv.....and no, I'm not going to hell for cussing. Jesus don't even recognize my sins, cause I'm saved. I've accepted. I know he's God. And I know and accepted what he did for me. .....all I know is I'm very thankful for Jesus and what he did. If he didnt die for my sins...and yes all my sins. I'd probably go to hell for my cuss words tonight. But thank God Jesus took care of that for me......praise JESUS!!!. .....if it wasn't for Jesus, we'd all be in hell... So, you all better be thankful too. Cause Jesus says your a sinner just like me and everyone else. Have a super awesome evening. God Bless and takecare!
Where is sunshine at. I was hoping to pray this morning, for protection from this demonic world we live in. 🙏
Ever read something in the Bible that seemed to contradict something else in the Bible? I used to be confused about those apparent contradictions, but now I love them. I know that if I dig a little, I will likely uncover a gem.
The entire Bible is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16). But we also need to “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). That well-worn phrase comes from the King James Version. Other translations say we need to accurately handle or rightly handle the word of truth.
How do we do that?
How do we rightly divide the word of truth?
It all comes down to covenants.
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 cross? And (ii) who is the writer writing to or about?
Let’s start with the cross, which is the dividing point between the old and new covenants (and the single most important event in human history).
Before the cross the old law covenant reigned, but after the cross a new covenant made the old one obsolete (Heb. 8:13).
Under the old covenant you were blessed if you were good, but under the new covenant we are blessed because God is good.
Consider these contrasts:
Before the cross we were blessed when we obeyed and cursed when we disobeyed (Deu. 11:26-28). But after the cross we are blessed because Jesus obeyed and we have been set free from the curse of the law (Eph. 1:3, Gal. 3:13).
Before the cross we forgave in order to earn God’s forgiveness (Matt. 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 (Deu. 5:21). But after the cross we love and accept others because Christ loves and accepts us (1 John 4:19; Rom. 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 and he remembers our sins no more (Heb. 8:12, 10:22).
Before the cross we said “We will” (Ex. 19:9). 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 (Deu. 6:25). But at the cross righteousness was freely given (Rom. 5:17).
Before the cross Adam’s sin meant condemnation for all men (Rom. 5:18). But because of the cross there is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom. 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? That’s the first question. Here’s the second.
Who’s the audience?
It’s also important to ask who the words were written for, otherwise you might end up taking someone else’s medicine. Because there are two kinds of people - those who put their faith in Jesus and those who don’t - the Holy Spirit uses the scriptures to bring two convictions:
The Holy Spirit seeks to convict the world of unbelief (John 16:9)
If you are an unbeliever, the Holy Spirit (and a good preacher) will use the scriptures to convince you that God is good and trustworthy. Through the Son he will seek to reveal the unfailing love of the Father so that you may believe and have life in his name (John 20:31).
The Holy Spirit convicts Christians of their righteousness (John 16:10)
With so much guilt and condemnation in the world, we who are in Christ 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 our Father and nothing can separate us from his love (Rom. 8:38-39).
The short version: Rightly dividing the word means reading the Bible to see Jesus. It is through a revelation of the Son that we come to understand who God is, how much he loves us, and all the good things he has planned for us.
The entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, reveals Jesus. Read the Bible to see Jesus
Jennifer, there was a time when I was younger when I wanted to join the military. I tried to get in. Just wasn't met to be. Jesus had other plans I guess.
I've joined the army of the Lord now days. I'm armed up, and ready for Armageddon. 😊
I'm coming on a horse with Jesus.
Guns blazing baby...
Yeeeeeeeehaaaaa. 🤠
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Do you guys know what a Karen is?
Yea, I got one in my neighborhood. I think these kinda people are possessed. I know her behavior isnt Godly. She's been messing with me. I'm trying to be nice and trying not to escalate things in this neighborhood.
God says to keep my mouth shut, and love your neighbor. Doesn't he? And he will deal with these people.
I hope and pray this lady gets saved, or just leave me alone!
I hate dealing with this.
You will also get all twisted up in your mind with the KJB too.
But once you learn to read it properly. Meaning follow 2nd Timothy 2:15 says to rightly divide it.
It's extremely important to learn how to rightly divide, know dispensations and don't take the true bible kjv out of context, and you'll be fine. It will all come together perfectly providing you follow God's instructions.
And study it. Don't just read it.
I promise. It will all make perfect sense. I just learned this myself a few years ago.
And, I was apart of the pentecostal movement for probably most of my life. I'm so very thankful I got out of that cult!!!
Hi people. Just wanted to apologize to Jennifer and everyone else for my cuss words today.
I'm just trying to make a point.
I don't like cuss words either. it truly doesn't sound good.
But, ya know what. I'm NOT going to repent to Jesus the way pentecostals think repent means. They don't know what repent means.
I don't need to ask Jesus for forgiveness.
My sins are covered under the Blood. Past. Present and Future. From what the true word of God says...kjv.....and no, I'm not going to hell for cussing.
Jesus don't even recognize my sins, cause I'm saved.
I've accepted. I know he's God. And I know and accepted what he did for me. .....all I know is I'm very thankful for Jesus and what he did. If he didnt die for my sins...and yes all my sins.
I'd probably go to hell for my cuss words tonight.
But thank God Jesus took care of that for me......praise JESUS!!!. .....if it wasn't for Jesus, we'd all be in hell...
So, you all better be thankful too. Cause Jesus says your a sinner just like me and everyone else.
Have a super awesome evening.
God Bless and takecare!