UNSTABLE MEN TWIST THE TEACHINGS OF PAUL

[Donna Kupp]

UNSTABLE MEN TWIST THE TEACHINGS OF PAUL

There has always been confusion sown into the church about Paul's
position on the Moral Law. Peter warned us that unlearned and
unstable men would twist the teachings of Paul. (2 Peter 3:15f) The
apostle Paul himself settled the matter for all time. He said:

"Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what
matters is
THE KEEPING OF THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD." 1 Corinthians 7:19 NAS

"Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the
contrary, WE UPHOLD THE LAW." Romans 3:31 RSV

Therefore, knowing that God's word cannot possibly contradict itself
we can be sure that when Paul said: "we are not under the law," he
did not mean that we are no longer required to keep God's
commandments.

IF YOU WOULD ENTER LIFE..."

I know that many of you who are reading this are still saying:
"legalism" or "Phariseeism" or perhaps, "No! Never! Salvation is all
by grace. I am not to do anything." Friends, to you I can only let
God's word speak:

"...he who DOES NOT OBEY the Son shall not see life, but THE WRATH OF
GOD RESTS UPON HIM." John 3:36 RSV

Surely all would agree that to obey the Son would require us to "do"
something. That "something" is the total surrender of our self-life
in obedience to God. Through that obedience we "work out our
salvation (from sin) with fear and trembling." When we repent of sin
and surrender our lives to Jesus Christ in faith, God puts His Holy
Spirit into us and by His strength and grace we are enabled to walk
the narrow way that leads to life.

As Jesus spoke to his disciples following the sermon on the Mount, he
warned them of the difficulties they would face along that "narrow
way." He said:

"Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way EASY that
leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are MANY.

For the gate is narrow and the way is HARD that leads to (eternal)
life, AND THOSE WHO FIND IT ARE FEW." Matthew 7:13 RSV

All of you who are seeking the way that leads to life; please listen
to the words of Jesus as he spoke to the "Rich Young Ruler." Try to
imagine yourself to be the young (and very religious) man who sought
out the Lord on the hot and dusty road to Jerusalem. You approach the
Master and ask him: "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Look into the eyes of the Son of God, as He says to you:

"IF YOU WOULD ENTER LIFE, KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS." Matthew 19:17 RSV

Our Lord Jesus is the same "yesterday, and today, and forever." He
did not have one plan of salvation for that young man and another for
you. Will you listen to The theologians of the world (who don't even
agree with each other) or will you let the simple clear words of Jesus
decide the issue?

If this message bothers you, and you go to your Pastor or counselor
for advice, I suggest you ask him this question: Do you keep the Ten
commandments? (including the Sabbath?) If he says "No," remember this
verse:

"The one who says, "I have come to Know Him," and does not keep His
commandments, is a liar, [false] and the truth is not in him." 1 John
2:4 NAS

Let God's word alone guide your way. Do not trust someone because of
their position, or good deeds, or pleasing personality. Instead test
them by the pure and simple teachings of the Bible. The truth will set
you free, but a lie will kill you!

The Bible teaches that God's message to Man is very simple. It has
never changed. It is this:

"FEAR GOD AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS: FOR THIS IS THE WHOLE DUTY OF
MAN." Ecclesiastes 12:14 KJV

dk