why do you connect those two, i gotta ask?
im just not finding that connection anywhere in Scripture, wadr
we are freed from the law of sin and death, and judged by our works, near as i can tell?
Perhaps the biggest reason people don’t fully comprehend Pauls’ writings is they are contrary to what they’ve always believed as church members. And mixing Pauls’ writings (grace) with the 4 Gospels and the epistles of James, Peter, John and Jude (law) for doctrine only causes confusion.
What is significant about Pauls’ writings is that he alone was called by the Lord to be the Apostle to the Gentiles. His writings are to Gentiles ONLY (except, obviously, Hebrews) and cannot be applied to those under the law. The disciples are the apostles to the Jews ONLY and were
commanded by Jesus to NOT go to the Gentiles or Samaritans…exactly as the Mosaic law dictates that Jews shall not mix with them under any circumstances.
Speaking to Ananias -
Act 9:15
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: (underlining mine)
Mat 10:5
These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: (KJV)
Even years after the Jerusalem council where Paul and Barnabas met with the disciples, and agreed that Paul and Barnabus would go to the Gentiles and they to the Jews (Acts 15, Galatians 2, especially vs 9), the disciples failed to fully comprehend salvation by grace through faith alone. Peter fully acknowledged Paul but also that his teaching was difficult to fully comprehend as recorded in 2 Peter 3:15-16
2Pe 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;
2Pe 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. (KJV)
Note also the last part of verse 16 regarding the unlearned being confused between what the disciples were teaching – Jesus is the risen Messiah to Jews only. Period. They knew nothing about Jesus dying for our sins, except as Paul told them in Jerusalem – vs Pauls’ preaching that the cross IS salvation by grace through faith plus nothing.
Jesus was born under the law, lived under the law, and it could be said he died under the law by teaching that He was the promised Messiah – Heresy in the eyes of Israels’ ruling class (Pharisees, mostly). But Jesus himself stated that works (keeping the law) can never ‘justify’ anyone to get into the kingdom of heaven as shown in Matthew 7:21-23
Mat 7:21
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (KJV)
Now look at what Paul wrote about Abraham in
Romans 4:2-3 -
Rom 4:2
For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
Rom 4:3
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. (KJV)
Works has NO PART in being justified, righteous, or saved in Gods' eyes. God will NEVER be put in a 'You owe me because...' situation. Look at
Hebrews 11...the FAITH chapter, finishing with
Hebrews 12:2
Heb 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (KJV)
It's all faith, faith, faith...no works. Pauls' letter to the Hebrews is redirecting the Jews away from the law and its works to faith alone in Jesus, their Messiah, aka the Christ. It's the same as the Gospel preached by Paul in
1 Corinthians 15:1-4...faith ALONE in what Jesus did for us at the cross. When He said 'it is finished', He is stating that He fulfilled ALL the prophecy written about him in His first coming.
Paul sums it up in
1 Corinthians 1:18 and 23 -
1Co 1:18
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
1Co 1:23
But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; (KJV)
Law and grace can not be mixed together or combined. Keeping them separate makes understanding Gods' Word far easier, but also shows how God is dealing with us Gentiles until we’re raptured out of here. Pauls' writings are our guidebook. Israel was temporarily 'set aside' in 70 AD and only came back together in 1948...the only nation to ever be split up and scattered to the winds and then re-created...exactly according to prophecy (Amos 9:11-15).
What Peter wrote roughly 1960 years ago in 2 Peter 3:16 is still true today…people and churches are STILL trying to mix law and grace and getting all twisted. They fail to 'rightly divide' Gods' Word as Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:15
2Ti 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (KJV)