February 8th - Believe Paul

"For at present, am I persuading men or God?  Or am I seeking to please men? If I still pleased men, I were not a slave of Christ." (Galatians 1:10)

What does Paul teach that so many Christians refuse to believe?  Here are some examples.

"...seeing that out of Him and through Him and for Him is all:  to Him be the glory for the eons!" (Romans 11:36)

They do not believe that "ALL things" are from God. They insist Paul meant all "good things".

"...our Savior, God, Who wills that all humanity be saved and come into a realization of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator of God and humanity, a Man, Christ Jesus, who is giving Himself as a correspondent ransom for all." (1 Timothy 2:3-6)

"Faithful is the saying and worthy of all welcome (for for this we are toiling and being reproached), that we rely of the living God, Who is the Savior of ALL humanity, especially of believers." (1 Timothy 4:10)

Most Christians  do not believe all humanity will be saved as the result of the ransom Christ Jesus paid for all. They insist Paul meant that God is "offering" to save all people, and will ransom only those who accept His offer.

"...reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the message of reconciliation..." (2 Corinthians 5:19)

They do not believe God is reconciling the world to himself. They insist Paul meant that only those in the world who choose Christ are reconciled to God.

So, do you believe God or someone else?

February 7th - Enemies and Friends of the Cross

"For many are walking, of whom I often told you, yet now am lamenting also as I tell it, who are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose consummation is destruction, whose god is their bowels, and whose glory is in their shame, who to the terrestrial are disposed." (Philippians 3:18-19)

So who are “enemies of the cross”?

The “enemies of the cross” are those who insist it takes the cross of Jesus PLUS something else to be saved. To me, it is this doctrine of limited salvation that will meet its "destruction" when the cross is shown to have “accomplished” the salvation of all humans.

"...for we ourselves have heard Him, and we are aware that this truly is the Savior of the world." (John 4:42)

"And I, if I should be lifted out of the earth, shall be drawing all to Myself." (John 12:32)

"Jesus is saying to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one is coming to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)

"Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus away. Carrying the cross by Himself, He went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). There they nailed Him to the cross...After this, Jesus, being aware that all is accomplished, that the scripture may be perfected, is saying...It is accomplished. And reclining His head, He gives up the spirit." (John 19:16-18, 28-30)

Humanity was saved by our Savior on that cross, that was the will of His Father, and all are destined to become friends of the cross when God's plan is consummated.

"For our realm is inherent in the heavens, out of which we are awaiting a Savior also, the Lord, Jesus Christ, Who will transfigure the body of our humiliation, to conform it to the body of His glory, in accord with the operation which enables Him even to subject all to Himself.” (Philippians 3:20-21)

Friends of the cross believe in the salvation of all.

February 6th - The Man Adam and and the Man Jesus are Prototypes

“Yet now Christ has been roused from among the dead, the Firstfruit of those who have fallen asleep (1 Corinthians 15:20-22)

The body of Adam was the prototype for humanity in its present mortal condition. 

“The LORD God formed the human out of soil from the ground, and He blew into his nostrils the breath of life; and the human became a living soul." (Genesis 2:7)

Adam's body was made “out of soil”. When the LORD God added the “breath of life” to that body, Adam became the first man who was a living soul of “flesh and blood”. 

However, this MORTAL prototype “is not able to enjoy an allotment in the Kingdom of God”.

"The first man was out of the earth, made of soil...Now this I am averring, brethren, that flesh and blood is not able to enjoy an allotment in the Kingdom of God." (1 Corinthians 15:47, 50)

All humans have bodies like Adam. It is mortal, eventually dies and returns to the soil of which it is made, and the soul sleeps. However, that sleeping soul has been promised a new body. That body will be a“spiritual” and immortal "new creation".  We will have been born again to enter the Kingdom of God!

"Jesus answered, "Verily, verily, I am saying to you, If anyone should not be begotten of water and of spirit, he cannot be entering into the kingdom of God. That which is begotten by the flesh is flesh, and that which is begotten by the spirit is spirit." (John 3:5-6)

"Thus also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is roused in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor; it is roused in glory. It is sown in infirmity; it is roused in power; It is sown a soulish body, it is roused a spiritual body.  If there is a soulish body, there is a spiritual also.  Thus it is written also, the first man, Adam, became a living soul; the last Adam a vivifying Spirit. But not first the spiritual, but the soulish, thereupon the spiritual. The first man was out of the earth, soilish; the second Man is the Lord out of heaven...And according as we wear the image of the soils, we shall be wearing the image of the Heavenly.” (1 Corinthians 15:42-49)

"For our realm is inherent in the heavens, out of which we are awaiting a Savior also, the Lord, Jesus Christ, Who will transfigure the body of our humiliation, to conform it to the body of His glory." (Philippians 3:20-21)

"For if we have become planted together in the likeness of His death, nevertheless we shall be of the resurrection also." (Romans 6:4)

“So that, if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: the primitive passed by. Lo! there has come new!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)

This born again spiritual, immortal, and sinless living soul will “enjoy an allotment in the Kingdom of God”.

Again, the mortal human cannot “perceive” or be “entering” the Kingdom of God. The mortal will be born again - as an immortal. When our mother's water broke, we were born the first time of "water" as we came into this world in humiliation. At our resurrection from death, we will be born again "of spirit".

"Now this I am averring, brethren, that flesh and blood is not able to enjoy an allotment in the Kingdom of God...Lo! I secret to you am I telling!...we all shall be changed, in an instant, in the twinkle of an eye, at the last trump...  For this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal put on immortality." (1 Corinthians 15: 50-53)

We now have a mortal body like the prototypes Adam and the man Jesus. After God is through with us we will have an immortal body like the risen prototype Christ Jesus. Humanity will not only be living souls, but life giving spirits!

February 5th - The Gospel - We're all in!

Here is the gospel according to Paul in a nutshell...

“Now I am making known to you, brethren, the gospel which I bring to you, which also you accepted, in which also you stand, through which also you are saved, if you are retaining what I said in bringing the gospel to you, unless you did not actually believe. For I give over to you among the first what also I accepted, that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that He was entombed, and that He was resurrected on the third day according to the scriptures.”      (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

The fact that Christ died for my sins, was entombed, and then resurrected on the third day is what saves me. That salvation is by the GRACE of God, through faith, My faith and salvation is a "gift" from God . 

"For in grace, through faith, are you saved, and this not out of you; it is God's gift, not of works, lest anyone should be boasting." (Ephesians 2:8-10)

God's MERCY and LOVE, and the "transcendent riches of His grace"  for all humanity, will be shown throughout the ages to come.

"God, being rich in mercy, because of His vast love with which He loves us (we also being dead to the offenses and the lusts), vivifies us together in Christ (in grace are you saved!) and resurrects us together and seats us together among the Celestials, in Christ Jesus, that, in the oncoming ages, He should be displaying the transcendent riches of His grace in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:4-7)

"...through Him to reconcile all to Him, whether those on the earth or those in the heavens."  (Colossians 1:20)

Humanity is destined to have a seat "among the Celestials" where they will display "the transcendent riches of His grace in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus".

So, the result of the gospel of grace in a nutshell - we're all in!

"...we have hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all humanity, especially of believers. These things be charging and teaching." (1Timothy 4:10)

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone." (Titus 2:9)

February 4th - Agreement with the Devil

The Corinthian believers were called "saints" by Paul and he referred to them as "the body of Christ".

"...to the ecclesia of God which is in Corinth, hallowed in Christ Jesus, CALLED SAINTS...Grace to you and peace from God..." (1 Corinthians 1:1-3)

"Now you are the body of Christ..." (1 Corinthians 12:27)

Saints are not perfect people, and the Corinthians were a good example. Paul reminds them of who they were and lays out the sins they were still doing even after God had declared them "saints" and placed them in the "body of Christ".

"...you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters." (1 Corinthians 6:8)

Paul tells these saints they have been "washed" by the blood of Jesus, "sanctified" by Jesus, and "justifed" in the name of Jesus and the Spirit of God.

"But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God...

These saints told Paul...

'I have the right to do anything,' you say—but not everything is beneficial. 'you have the right to do anything'—but you should not be mastered by anything..." (1 Corinthians 6:11-12)

Paul acknowledged that they were free to do as they please, most likely having told them the same thing he told the Romans...

"Yet where sin increases, grace superexceeds..." (Romans 5:20)

But Paul insists that continuing to live like that does not "honor" God, reminding them that their bodies were now temples of the Holy Spirit...

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Saints have freedom because the Lord, Christ Jesus, dwells in us...

"Now the Lord is the spirit; yet where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." (2 Corinthians 3:17)

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1)

Going to church does not make anyone a saint, and some church denominations have enslaved their members to their church doctrine. Such is the power of deception.

"For Satan himself is being transfigured into a messenger of light. It is no great thing, then, if his servants also are being transfigured as dispensers of righteousness - whose consummation shall be according to their acts." (2 Corinthians 11:14-15)

Saints have freedom to join religious organizations, however, they should pay attention to what it teaches or they may find themselves unintentionally becoming a servant of Satan. I know, it happened to me.

February 3rd - Christians Will Give Account to God

"Paul, a called apostle of Christ Jesus, through the will of God, and Sosthenes, a brother, to the ecclesia of God which is in Corinth, hallowed in Christ Jesus, CALLED SAINTS, together with all in every place who are invoking the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, both theirs and ours: Grace to you, and peace from God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 1:1-3)

There is no doubt to whom this letter is written - the "ecclesia" in Corinth, and everyone in "every place" who are "invoking the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ."

So, let's take a look at what these "saints" were doing. Were they a bunch of perfect people gathering together to sing "Kum ba yah"? - heck no, not this bunch. Here is the background of some members of this church - fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate, thieves, coveteous, drunkards, revilers, and extortioners.

"And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Corinthians 6:11)

"Now you are the body of Christ..." (1 Corinthians 12:27)

These sinners were "saints" and members of "the body of Christ" because, in the grace of God, they had been justified "in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God", not by their own righteousness. Being a "saint" does not mean you are doing more godly works than others. The word "saint" means "holy" - set apart by God. Not set apart because of what we do, but set apart because of "Jesus Christ's faith".

"Yet now, apart from law, a righteousness of God is manifest (being attested by the law and the prophets), yet a righteousness of God through JESUS CHRIST'S FAITH, for all, and on all who are believing, for there is no distinction, for all sinned and are wanting of the glory of God. Being justified gratuitously in His grace, through the deliverance which is in Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:21-24)

It is the faith and blood of Christ Jesus that "justifies" sinners (makes them righteous).

"...having perceived that a man is not being justified by works of law, except alone through the faith of Christ Jesus, we also believe in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by the faith of Christ." (Galatians 2:16-17)

Again, human beings become "saints" and members of the "body of Christ" by the grace of God.  When human beings hear about and accept the following good news about Jesus they become members of the body of Christ - aware of the good news (evangel) of teir justification, salvation, and reconciliation to God.

"Now I am making known to you, brethren, the evangel which I bring to you, which also you accepted, in which also you stand, through which also you are saved....what also I accepted, that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that He was entombed, and that He has been roused the third day according to the scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:1-5)

Every "saint" will still give an account for the things done in the body, whether good or bad. The Lord will be examining all of us, including the Pope and the Apostle Paul.

"Now He Who is examining me is the Lord. So be not judging anything before the season, till the Lord should be coming, Who will illuminate the hidden things of darkness and manifest the counsels of the hearts. And then applause will be coming to each one from God." (1 Corinthians 4:5-6)

Paul tells these carnal Corinthian "saints" that they should shape up, correct their bad behavior and do what is right so they won't be ashamed when Jesus returns to examine them. John told Jewish believers the same thing.

"And now, little children, remain in Him, that, if He should be manifested, we should be having boldness and not be put to shame by Him at His presence." (1 John 2:28-29)

God will illuminate everyone's "hidden things of darkness and manifest the counsels of the hearts". The result - "shame" or "applause". Yet after that account to God, the judgment (decision) of God is to transformed all of us into the image of Christ Jesus, the first begotten Son of God.

"For our realm is inherent in the heavens, out of which we are awaiting a Savior also, the Lord, Jesus Christ, Who will transfigure the body of our humilation, to conform it to the body of His glory, in accord with the operation which enables Him even to subject all to Himself." (Philippians 3:20-

"...whom He foreknew, He designates beforehand, also, to be conformed to the image of His Son, for Him to be Firstborn among many brethren." (Romans 8:28-29)

February 2nd - The Bibles of Men

"No man ever believes that the Bible means what it says: He is always convinced that it says what he means." - George Bernard Shaw

"I am marveling that thus, swiftly, you are transferred from that which calls you in the GRACE of Christ, to a different evangel...but if ever we also, or a messenger out of heaven, should be bringing an evangel to you beside that which we bring to you, let him be anathema!" (Galatians 1:4-8)

I think George Bernhard Shaw was correct. But I would put it this way...

"No religious institution of man believes what the Bible says, instead, they are convinced the Bible says what their Theologians tell them it says."

The Bible has been translated into hundreds of different versions. As the result, the Bible we possess has become an abstract of the various opinions of Theologians. I think the original Scripture was infallible, but the versions created by men are not. They are filled with the biases of the translators. 

The first English version of Scripture came around 1380 A.D. by John Wycliffe, more than a thousand years after the Scriptures were canonized.  His and all others are biased toward the traditions of the Theologians of Catholicism. We should remind ourselves what Jesus pointed out to the Theologians of His day...

"Then, coming to Jesus from Jerusalem are Pharisees and scribes, saying, "Wherefore are your disciples transgressing the tradition of the elders? For they are not washing their hands whenever they may be eating bread. Now He, answering, said to them, "Wherefore are you also transgressing the precept of God because of your tradition?" (Matthew 15:1-3)

To elevate a tradition to the inspired and inerrant word of God is not good according to Jesus...

"You invalidate the word of God because of your tradition. Hypocrites! Ideally Isaiah prophesies concerning you, saying, "This people with their lips is honoring Me, Yet their heart is away a distance from Me. Yet in vain are they revering Me, teaching for teachings the directions of men.” (Matthew 15:6-9)

It is hard work to determine which of the many versions of the Bible come closest to the actual words of God because there are no original manuscripts in existence. The Concordant Version of the New Testament has become my go to version because the way it was translated removes most of the personal bias of the translator.  

The good news ("evangel") came to the Apostle Paul "by direct revelation of Jesus Christ".

"For I am making known to you, brethren, as to the evangel which is being brought by me, that it is not in accord with man. For neither did I accept it from a man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ."(Galatians 1:11-13)

Did you notice Paul did not consult Peter, James, and John to get the good news  that he taught. He received it directly from the risen Christ Jesus!

Below is the good news for humanity revealed to the Apostle Paul by Jesus.

1. GOD LOVES SINNERS AND CHRIST DIED FOR US...

“God is commending this love of His to us, seeing that while we are still sinners, Christ died for our sakes.” (Romans 5:8)

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” (1 Timothy 1:15)

“Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and He was entombed, and He has been roused the third day according to the scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-5)

2. GOD WILLS THAT ALL HUMANITY BE SAVED AND SAVES THEM...

“...our Savior, God, who wills that all humanity be saved and come into a realization of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4)

“...we rely on the living God, Who is the Savior of ALL humanity, especially of believers.” (1 Timothy 4:10)

3. EVERYONE WILL BE RECONCILED TO GOD...

“...while we were enemies we were reconciliated to God through the death of His Son.” (Romans 5:10)

“...God was in Christ, reconciliating the world to Himself, not reckoning their offenses to them...” (2 Corinthians 5:19)

“...through Him to reconcile ALL to Him (making peace through the blood of His cross), through Him, whether those on the earth or those in the heavens.” (Colossians 1:20)

4. LIFE AFTER DEATH IS A free GIFT FROM GOD TO ALL HUMANITY...

“For even as, in Adam, all are dying, thus also, in Christ, shall ALL be vivified.” (1 Corinthians 15:22)

“...the gratuitous gift of God is life eonian, in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

So, what should we do with these good news originally given to Paul?

"These things be charging and teaching." (1 Timothy 4:11)

“In everything be giving thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)