On This Side of the Cross

In this book I hope to contrast the difference between the way things were before the cross and the way they are now in Christ. I want to show the difference between the way it was with Jews and Gentiles and the way it is now for all who are members of the body of Christ. I believe that many believers today live by a mixture of Old Testament law and New Testament grace. Jesus once told His disciples, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees " At the time they had not been born again, so apparently it was difficult for them to comprehend what He was saying. The Bible says that they said it was because they had forgotten to take bread. So Jesus told them plainly, "Beware of the doctrine of the Pharisees." (Matt. 16:5-12)So in the way Jesus thought, He saw the teachings of the Pharisees as leaven that contaminates bread dough. The Apostle Paul mentioned in his teaching that a little leaven leavens the whole lump. (Galatians 5:9) So our thinking, our doctrinal beliefs and our faith can be contaminated and corrupted by wrong teaching and concepts that are not based in pure, unadulterated truth. I like to consider the truth that is found in redemption when judging the winds of doctrine that blow through the body of Christ. In Ephesians, Chapter four, the Apostle Paul wrote that there are those who propagate winds of doctrine that are deceptive. I can say Amen to that 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. (Eph. 4:11-15)It seems that preachers are always looking for that "silver bullet" that they think will be the key to having God move in their services or cause miracles to happen. However, there are no silver bullets. In the process of trying to find that silver bullet, they will follow all kinds of different doctrines, and when they find one that seems tantalizing, they will teach it to the people. I have seen this happen more times than I care to mention over the years, and the people are the ones who pay the price for their foolishness.Nothing will take the place of basic, solid teaching of the Word of God. If we want to see results and changes take place in our lives and in the lives of others, we need to understand what Jesus accomplished at the cross and by His resurrection from the dead and teach it to the people. The Holy Spirit will do the rest.