Many Christians say, ‘I follow the whole Bible’!  Really?

It should become immediately apparent to any real student of Scripture that it’s impossible to follow, live by, and keep the instructions found in the entire Bible. This is because it is impossible to keep two different and conflicting sets of instructions.

Consider that in our Bibles we find instructions clearly defined as one dispensational relationship that was enjoyed at one time by one party of people (i.e. Israel) … versus that of another dispensational relationship, which is enjoyed at another time, by another party of people (i.e. the “church which is His body”)

By this I mean, one cannot live under both "the works of the Law" as was given to Israel in Exodus, and required, for Israel only, and at the same time live under the terms of "the dispensation of the grace of God" (Eph 3:2) for "the body of Christ" today.

Consider the following truths.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him (God)…

Galatians 3:12 (NIV) The law is NOT based on faith…

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is NOT justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Paul to the members of “body of Christ”:

Romans 6:14 … ye are not under the law, but under grace.

The pure grace that is for today excludes "the works of the law" as a basis for salvation and acceptance by God – they are opposites.

Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

Let's now examine further how it could be that we might be Biblical and still miss the mark of God for us today.

Below is a Biblical example to demonstrate why it’s impossible to keep ALL God's instructions found within the Bible.

We will here consider the apparently simple matter of what foods God's people are permitted to eat, according to the Bible.

1)      In Genesis 1:29, under the terms of ‘the dispensation of innocence,’ God gave Adam only the herbs of the earth and the fruit of the trees to eat as his food. They were to be vegetarian at that time.

2)      Then later, in Genesis 9:1-4 under the dispensation of ‘human government,’ God told Noah the people could add the meat of the animals, fish, and fowl to eat as food. The new terms under ‘the dispensation of Human Government,’ if you can catch it you are allowed to eat it.

3)      Then God's gave dietary instructions to Moses for Israel under ‘the dispensation of The Law,’ that is to eat only certain meats, fishes, and fowls as food, as the "kosher" or "clean" food (see Lev. 11), and not to eat certain meats, fishes, and fowls, being "unclean" foods.

4)      Finally, the Lord gave Paul His dietary instructions for this day of “the dispensation of the grace of God." Today we may eat any kind of food so long as it is received with ‘thanksgiving’ (cf. 1 Tim 4:3-5). Every food is created for our nourishment and nothing was to be forbidden or refused.

Knowing the foregoing Biblical history, let's now imagine that there were (4) four preachers, each preaching today according to their beliefs and Biblical interpretations of the foregoing Bible facts.

1)      One preached that we could only eat fruits and vegetables. He preached from the Gen. 1:29 instructions God gave to Adam and Eve in the garden, under the dispensation of "innocence." His followers would start the ‘Vegetarian denomination,’ and this would be Biblical.

2)      The second preacher was preaching according the instruction God gave to Noah in Genesis 9:1-4. Under this, men could eat any meats, fish and fowl that they could catch, in addition to any vegetables and fruits. His followers could start the ‘Meat & Potatoes denomination,’ and this would be Biblical.

3)      The third preacher preached that we could eat only what we might call "kosher foods." He preached from Leviticus 9. His followers could start the ‘Kosher denomination,’ and this would be Biblical.

4)      The fourth preacher said “We can eat any kind of food as long as we gave thanks for it.” He was Pauline, reading and preaching truth for today drawn from the Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul and his letter to Timothy. His followers would be "followers of Paul" and this would be not only "Biblical," but also "dispensational."

Following the teaching of all these four preachers would be ‘Biblical.’ They each will have Bible verses for their practice. All four would be Biblical or Scriptural, yet, they are not all being ‘dispensational’ in their approach to the Bible. Three failed to "rightly divide the word of truth" (2Tim 2:15) according to discern the dispensation in which the instruction was given. Three would offend the truth applicable to the "dispensation of the grace of God," which is in effect and under which “the body of Christ” is to live today.

This is an example of the contradictions and confusion that can result from not ‘rightly dividing’ the Scripture to discern the expectations of God for people during differing times, ages or "dispensations."

The test of following the Biblical instructions applicable to our dispensation, under which we live today, should always be noted as we read the Bible and followed in all our doings and practices.

Let’s now apply this test of properly appropriating the word of God and applying it to the party to whom it applies.

Consider the commonly believed, but erroneous, interpretation of Scripture that concerns Israel at a particular time in their Old Testament history. It’s often taught by Christian leaders as being applicable to the church today in the U.S.A. This error is an example of religious leaders playing fast and loose with Scriptures, misleading their flocks, while it makes a mockery of God and His promises.

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

Yes, God does in fact keep His promises, but ONLY for the people to whom He speaks them.

Before we yield to the popular notion that 2Chronicles 7:14 is somehow a conditional formula for America's survival in these dire times, we should notice that the intervention offered by God was for a specific nation, “Israel”; at a specific time, under the dispensation of “the Law.”

This instruction to Israel was to bless them for their obedience or punish them for disobedience. (See Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 to see the terms of the covenant between Israel and Jehovah, where it clearly defines the terms of blessing and cursing for Israel.)

Thankfully today, the believing members of “the body of Christ” enjoy God’s grace, the unconditional gift of His love and care for us, for our eternal good.

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.