There is a troubling trend in Christianity today.
Many churches talk about Jesus.
Many preach the Bible.
Many encourage good works and moral living.
But how often do you hear the gospel that Christ specifically committed to the Apostle Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles?
Sadly, Paul’s gospel is often overlooked, minimized, or mixed with doctrines that belong to God’s prophetic program with Israel.
That is truly a sign of the times.
The Apostle Paul wrote:
“Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.”
— 1 Timothy 2:7 (KJV)
And again:
“For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:”
— Romans 11:13 (KJV)
Paul was not replacing Christ.
Paul was revealing the message that the risen, glorified Christ committed to him.
That message is called “the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24), centered on Christ’s finished work.
The gospel by which we are saved today is wonderfully simple:
“That Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (KJV)
This is not salvation by works.
Not by religious rituals.
Not by keeping the Law.
Not by enduring to the end.
It is salvation by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ.
When we fail to rightly divide the Scriptures, confusion follows.
👉 Israel’s prophetic kingdom program gets mixed with the Church, the Body of Christ.
👉 Law gets mixed with grace.
👉 Earthly promises get mixed with our heavenly calling.
👉 Commands given to Israel are applied directly to the Body of Christ.
But God tells us:
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God… rightly dividing the word of truth.”
— 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
Right division does not divide the Bible into truth and error.
It divides God’s different programs so that every passage is understood in its proper context.
Today we are living in the Dispensation of the Grace of God revealed through Paul.
The Church, the Body of Christ, is a heavenly people blessed with “all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).
Our identity is not found under Moses.
It is found in Christ.
Our standing is not based on our performance.
It is based on His finished work.
Our hope is not an earthly kingdom.
It is a heavenly calling in Christ.
This is why sound doctrine matters.
Not to win arguments.
But to establish believers in the grace of God, produce spiritual maturity, and give confidence in what Christ has accomplished.
Never be ashamed of the message Christ committed to Paul.
It is the message that magnifies God’s grace, exalts Christ’s finished work, and reveals the riches of the Mystery once kept secret but now made known.
Stand fast in grace.
Rejoice in your identity in Christ.
And continue to rightly divide the Word of Truth, so that God’s Word can be understood as He intended.
“Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,”
— Romans 16:25 (KJV)
Grace is not a side doctrine. It is God’s present message for the Church, the Body of Christ.
