Part 1 - A Co-Mingled Gospel

This Article is part of a multi-part Study Series called Forgiveness Under Law vs Grace.

A co-mingled gospel is one that is a mixture of Law & Grace, which is unworkable. I recently had the opportunity to hear a so-called fundamentalist preacher teach a Bible study in which I heard him again and again repeat many things that he said believers must “do”… after salvation in order to continue in God’s loving grace and care, in order for any new sins to be forgiven and to be blessed by God’s favor, and so on.

In order to present this conditional relationship with God he almost exclusively cited Old Testament “Law” Scripture references and also “the Law” references drawn from the synoptic Gospels wherein “the Law” was still in force (cf. Matt 5:18). Notably, his message was totally devoid of references to the grace (free gift) of God and therefore virtually devoid of any Pauline Scriptures by which the Bible students come to know of God’s pure grace as their predominant theme for believers to enjoy during this age of God’s grace.

The other attendees and hearers of this man’s diatribe no doubt came away with their “to do” list of things that they will try “to do” to earn God’s favor, not realizing that in themselves they are not equipped to do them. We had heard a litany of things one needs ‘to do’ in order to be considered a good Christian in ‘good standing, never acknowledging that we as believers are “in Christ” and thus already standing ‘holy and blameless before God the Father in His love. (Eph 1:3-4)

This fundamentalist preacher neglected this Pauline verse “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses (sins); (Col 2:13). “All” here means all our past, present, and future sins. When Christ died for our sins and the sins of the world all our sins were yet future. Paul says be continue in the very same way of grace by which we began and were saved.  As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him” (Col 2:6).

The Pauline “Gospel of the Grace of God”:

Thankfully, the truth for today is seen here in Paul’s epistles of “the body of Christ.”

Ephes. 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath (already) blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places (since we are) in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame (still in Christ) before him in love:,

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Titus 3:5a Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us,

Paul was called saved and used of the resurrected and ascended Lord to deliver His grace message to the Gentiles today… just as Moses was God’s man to deliver “the Law” with its works requirements for blessing and cursing upon Israel.

Paul wrote of Christ: “In whom we (as believers already) have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his Grace;” (Ephesians 1:7 (KJV), totally apart from our record or performance under “the Law.”

In accordance with the Apostle Paul’s instruction to “rightly divide” the Scripture (2Tim 2:15), we should note while all Scripture contains objective information written for all to know and from which they can learn the character of God, there are certain Scriptures that apply to or concerning only Israel alone. Then there are specific epistles (from Romans to Philemon) that describe the terms of the relationship the members of the Gentile “body of Christ” enjoys by grace through faith in Christ alone.

We need to recognize these facts.

  • About 75% of Scripture is written specifically to and concerning the Jews, such as the several promises and covenants, as well as “the laws” of  ‘blessing and cursing’ that are based upon national and individual performance standards under “the Law.”

Deuteronomy 28:1-2 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: 2  And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.

Deuteronomy 28:15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:

  • Other Scripture written specifically concerning unconverted Gentiles in general.
  • Then also there are other Scriptures written specifically to and concerning the born-again children of God, the members of the Church, which is His body.” (Eph 1:22b-23a). Paul says the “body of Christ” consist of neither Jew nor Gentile in particular since “all one in Christ.” (Gal 3:28).

We need to note how damaging and confusing it is when we miss-assign Scripture concerning Israel alone, and apply it to the grace-saved members of “the body of Christ.” We all realize it would be wrong and even possibly harmful for us to apply the content of the mail or a letter addressed to another person… and take it as if it applies to us. By example; in such a case we might show up for a dentist appointment and medical procedure or IRS appointment that is not our appointment; or we might pay a property tax bill not belonging for us.

Yet, this is what most Christians do in misreading their Bibles – they attempt to claim the Scriptural Old Testament Covenants and Laws that belong to Israel, claiming them as if they apply today to the church, “the body of Christ.” They try to blend or mingle contradictory Law Scripture with Paul’s grace gospel Scripture and then wonder why their prayer promises aren’t fulfilled as they supposed they would.

Paul’s Epistles are to and for the Gentile “body of Christ” since he is “THE (one) Apostle to the Gentiles” (Rom 11:13). Even worse, to lay Israel’s “law” upon Christians today makes ‘grace no longer grace’ because grace MUST BE 100% grace or cannot be considered real ‘grace’ (a free gift) at all.

“And if By Grace, Then It Is No Longer By Works; if it were (with works), grace would no longer be grace. (Romans 11:6;

“… for ye are NOT under the law, but under grace.” (Romans 6:14b)

 “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” (Romans 4:5)

Considering these differences contained in the Bible depends upon our recognizing exactly to whom the books and epistles are directed - this is the key to correctly interpreting the written word by rightly dividing the word of truth” (2Tim 2:15).

Here is a clear example where we must take note of ‘the address on the letter’:

James is the Greek name for ‘Jacob’ in Hebrew. Recall that James and the other disciples were sent only to the house of Israel (Matt 10:5-6). James addressed Israel writing, faith without works is dead (James 2:26).” James here is saying faith in Christ alone is not sufficient not save a Jew - works are also required; and this is true of Israel’s relationship with God while under “the Law” and until the eternal kingdom on the New Earth.

Paul, who was a Pharisee and schooled Jew himself, wrote this of Israel.For as many as are of the ‘works of the law’ are ‘under the curse’: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in ALL things which are written in the book of the law to do them.” (Gal 3:10)

James’ opening verse below indicates exactly to whom James is addressing his letter.

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes (of Israel) which are scattered abroad, greeting. (James 1:1). Jesus of Nazareth told Israel the Law will continue to the end of the Jewish age (Matt 5:18) and that only “… he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” (Matt. 10:22).

James’ instructions to the twelve tribes (of Israel)” are of course is in stark contrast with Paul’s words of the gift of grace and forgiveness for “the body of Christ.” Paul wrote this of all men who saved by grace in this Gentile age of grace.