I've been thinking about this since it came up in conversation yesterday. Could Paul's account of the Gospel throughout the New Testament be different than the one preached by Jesus? Paul's Gospel could be summed up something like this: Jesus died to forgive our sins, once for all, and he is our only hope for righteousness before God. I don't think this is contrary to Jesus, but it seems while Paul's gospel is all about grace, Jesus was often preaching about how hard it is to live rightly. Take for example the parable of the unmerciful servant. Look it up: Mat. 18:21-35. Basically, Jesus is saying that unless we are forgiving, God will not forgive us. Would Paul agree? Or would he say God loves us in spite of our shortcomings of non-forgiveness? What would most Christians say today? I think we often lean on Pauline grace instead of living in light of the Gospel. The Gospel isn't a rule to follow (forgive those who sin against you) but a lifestyle change (you have been forgiven, so forgive).
I look forward to hearing more from the source of the discussion, and I'll post a follow up later this week. If you are reading this and you have thoughts, let's hear 'em!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Ok ... I'm going to make a few assumptions. First of all, you are using, say Matthew 6:12, 14 for your words from Jesus. And, let's say ... Romans 8:38, 39 (nothing separates us from the love of God) for the Pauline text.
There are actually a couple of different topics. Paul speaks of grace freely given. (Romans 3:23) When we ask, we receive (hmmm, sounds like Jesus too!)
The difference is applied not at the moment of 'conversion' but living out a fellowship with God. Right?
So, if we're at that point ... what else does Paul say?
Well, I'm just going to toss out a few passages that don't seem to contradict Jesus at all. And, to be a mother and a teacher about this - this is what happens when we read 'about' a situation from others.
Hebrews 12:15 "See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."
Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Galatians 6:7-8 "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature[a]will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."
There is just a beginning! But, Paul never allows a person to continue in their sin ... his 'grace' does not ever change what Christ says.
On the other hand, Paul experienced grace in an amazing way! Jesus Christ came to teach us that He was the way to that grace. Paul was not teaching the lesson that he, Paul, was the way to grace - but that Jesus was. A completely different aspect of the journey.
wow...you were up early.
Post a Comment