Galatians 5:7-9
You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough!
The people who teach doctrine are usually good people teaching what they were taught and believe. As we grow in knowledge of the Bible our beliefs change. I have often wondered how Christians believe so many different doctrine’s, but as Paul says in the above scripture it certainly isn’t God causing the confusion. An interesting thing Paul said above was the truth calls us to freedom. So if you are looking for the correct doctrine to believe, check to see if there is any bondage in the doctrine. If you currently have beliefs that you find hard to live by, then you may be into something that isn’t from God. At one time I was in a doctrine that was not from God. It caused much bondage in my life and I finally figured out that it didn’t call me into freedom. Jesus said: “Place my yoke on you and learn from me…because my yoke is pleasant, and my burden is light.”
Because of various beliefs and doctrines the two main points to freedom are Grace and Salvation beliefs which are qualified either by Legalism or by Mercy.
Grace Doctrine
It is taught in some doctrine that grace gets you saved, then you make right decisions or you go to hell. This legalistic viewpoint claims your righteous actions are strengthened by leaning on the Holy Spirit to help you keep the laws of Moses, which were never for Gentiles. This doctrine makes self-righteousness the focal point and not the free gift of righteousness that God gives us when accepting Jesus as savior.
TRUTH = Jesus died for all sins; past, present and future because of His Grace (unmerited Favor). Then He gave us His righteousness as a gift since mankind always failed in the past with his own righteousness. We take Jesus’ righteousness and He takes our sins. It is the great exchange. The free gift of righteousness empowers us to live our lives pleasing to God where sin shall not have dominion over us and our mistakes are not counted against us (Romans 6:14-23).
Salvation Doctrine
It is taught in some doctrine that salvation is forever and can never be lost while opposing doctrine teaches the opposite; saying your name can be blotted out of the Lambs Book of life and salvation can be lost. Most confusion comes from not applying all scripture in agreement with other scriptures.
TRUTH = Salvation is not given because of works of man, it is a gift based on the works of Jesus. It no longer is hinged on the failing righteousness of mankind as under the Law of Moses. As long as Jesus didn’t fail, our salvation can’t ever fail no matter what wrongs we commit. With salvation not based on our performance, there is no works required to keep salvation. In fact there never was any works required for Gentiles but only Jews. The requirements of the Law were given for the Jews under the Law of Moses. Trying to keep that law for salvation makes faith void according to Romans 4:14 and is pointless.
To try to make the scripture say a Christian can have their name blotted out of the book of life misses the meaning in Revelation 3:5 that say it can never be blotted out. It also does not agree with all that is described above. If you were only righteous until your next sin then righteousness wasn’t a gift to begin with! The person who accepts Jesus as their savior will overcome death with eternal life and is the over-comer spoken of in Revelation 3:5. “He who overcomes” does not mean a sinless person; it refers to a saved person. Their names will never be blotted out of the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Doctrine Balance
The two points above is where every doctrine taught hinge one way or the other. If a person follows the Legal way they are responsible for their own choices and actions making faith void (Galatians 5:2-3). If a person follows grace way it activates by faith according to Ephesians 2:8-9 and brings salvation through the righteous merits of Jesus. If we go the legal way then everything is all about us and our performance. If we go the grace way then everything is all about Jesus and his performance. Beloved, always trust in Jesus for salvation which encompasses every need in life. Learn to hear His voice to find out which side of the boat your net breaking catch of fish is waiting to bless you. Keep the faith and be sure and strong in the doctrine of Jesus based on grace and freedom from bondage.
