Take a look a what Peter said about Paul:
2 Peter 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
2 Peter 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Many people believe that Paul preached lawlessness; they think he said it was okay to break God's commandments. That isn't true but just like Peter forewarned, the unstable and unlearned twist Paul's writings out context. The sad thing is, this will lead unto the destruction of many people. The people who justify their sins while citing Paul words that we "are not under the law, but under grace" (Romans 6:14) are in grave danger. Paul wasn't saying you can keep sinning with impunity; rather he was saying when we repent (turn away) from our sins, though we fall short sometimes, we can claim the cleansing grace of Christ's blood to redeem us; therefore we are not under the penalty for breaking God's law but instead covered by the grace of Jesus. The very next verse, Romans 6:15, tells us we cannot keep willfully sinning just because we are under His grace. And Hebrews 10:26 says "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins."
There are many topics I want to cover in this blog over the course of time, and helping people understand some of Paul's misunderstood writings is something I want to do. And let me acknowledge right now that I still get confused by some of his writings myself.
For now I want to point out a couple of things straight from the bible which should reassure you Paul's epistle do not preach lawlessness or disobedience to the LORD.
So remember, if you are ever confused by Paul's writings... if he seems to be preaching something that doesn't seem Christ-like... keep studying his words carefully because you might be misunderstanding him.
And if a pastor or a friend has convinced you that you are not obligated to obey God's commandments - and they use Paul's writing's to do so - then keep in mind Peter's warning that many people will twist Paul teachings and "also the other scriptures [the rest of the bible],unto their own destruction." But since Paul's epistle's were specifically mentioned, be extra cautious about what they claim he said.
Amen.
2 Peter 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
2 Peter 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Many people believe that Paul preached lawlessness; they think he said it was okay to break God's commandments. That isn't true but just like Peter forewarned, the unstable and unlearned twist Paul's writings out context. The sad thing is, this will lead unto the destruction of many people. The people who justify their sins while citing Paul words that we "are not under the law, but under grace" (Romans 6:14) are in grave danger. Paul wasn't saying you can keep sinning with impunity; rather he was saying when we repent (turn away) from our sins, though we fall short sometimes, we can claim the cleansing grace of Christ's blood to redeem us; therefore we are not under the penalty for breaking God's law but instead covered by the grace of Jesus. The very next verse, Romans 6:15, tells us we cannot keep willfully sinning just because we are under His grace. And Hebrews 10:26 says "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins."
There are many topics I want to cover in this blog over the course of time, and helping people understand some of Paul's misunderstood writings is something I want to do. And let me acknowledge right now that I still get confused by some of his writings myself.
For now I want to point out a couple of things straight from the bible which should reassure you Paul's epistle do not preach lawlessness or disobedience to the LORD.
- In verse 15 at the top of this post Peter called Paul "our beloved brother." I think we can safely presume the bible would never call someone who preached disobedience to God our beloved brother. I hope you would agree.
- In Acts 9:15 Jesus said "for he [Saul aka Paul] is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel." Jesus knows the end from the beginning and I think it is 100% certain Jesus would not have chosen Paul to bear His name before the world if he was going to teach people to disobey Him, His Father and the Holy Spirit.
So remember, if you are ever confused by Paul's writings... if he seems to be preaching something that doesn't seem Christ-like... keep studying his words carefully because you might be misunderstanding him.
And if a pastor or a friend has convinced you that you are not obligated to obey God's commandments - and they use Paul's writing's to do so - then keep in mind Peter's warning that many people will twist Paul teachings and "also the other scriptures [the rest of the bible],unto their own destruction." But since Paul's epistle's were specifically mentioned, be extra cautious about what they claim he said.
Amen.
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