Why Right Division Matters
You can’t obey the whole Bible. All of it is profitable for you to learn from, but not all of it was written directly to you (2Ti 3:16-17). As hard as you may try, there are contradictory instructions throughout the word of God that are dependent on who is speaking, to whom, and when the words were spoken/written. Contradictions aren’t mistakes, but they must be understood in their proper context to avoid doctrinal confusion. Context matters!
There’s a reason you shouldn’t sacrifice animals to pay for your sins today or continually ask for forgiveness to “get right with God,” even though you can find passages in the Bible to support those stances. Christ’s blood was the final sacrifice that forgave you of all your sins past, present, and future the moment you trusted in his payment for your sins (Eph 4:32, Col 1:14, Col 2:13-14).
How do we find the correct instructions for us today? Contrary to many religious leaders who use out-of-context verses and handle the word of God deceitfully to fit their agendas, there is a proper way to understand the Bible and it hinges on the concept of right division.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:15
Finding the right instructions for you today in the Body of Christ is paramount to being an approved workman. Everybody divides (chooses instructions to follow) and many will pick whatever instructions from God they like better at the moment. By dividing (rightly) the Bible into its proper contexts (dispensations) in accordance with God’s progressively revealed will for mankind, we can get the most out of Bible study and not be confused when we come across contradictions in the Bible.
While some might say this concept doesn’t matter or is “too academic,” what happens when the contradiction we face in scripture concerns our soul’s salvation? Consider the following passages:
“[4] Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. [5] But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” – Romans 4:4-5
“[1] Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”- Romans 5:1
“[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9
Now compare the free justification by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ that the Apostle Paul communicates to what James says:
“[14] What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?” – James 2:14
“[24] Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” – James 2:24
While some theologians will try to make these passages say the same thing, the fact of the matter is that they do not. They say the completely opposite thing and that’s okay. The Bible doesn’t need fixing, our understanding does. As Bible believers, we don’t change the words to make them fit our worldview, but rather, we try to better understand the Bible in order for our minds to conform to God’s.
Justification, us being recognized as righteous upon God’s judgment, differs depending on where you are in the scriptures. Paul was speaking to the Body of Christ in Rome whereas James was speaking “to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad,” the remnant of the nation of Israel (Acts 8:1, Jas 1:1). In the Body of Christ, we are justified by faith alone in the blood sacrifice of Christ to pay for our sins. Israel, which is different than the Body of Christ in the scriptures, was justified by faith and works under a covenantal system.
After Jesus Christ’s resurrection, He visited the Apostle Paul on the road to Damascus in Acts 9 and dispensed His free grace (Eph 3:1-10). He gave him the gospel of grace that saves today and a new revelation about His purpose for the Body of Christ (Act 20:24). The Body of Christ began with Paul and he is our pattern to follow Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery and not after a covenant to Israel.
“Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me [Paul] first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” – 1 Timothy 1:16
“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 11:1
“[25] 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, [26] But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:” – Romans 16:25-26
Right division is a tool that allows us to understand the context of passages and without recognizing that in Paul’s epistles alone we find the doctrinal instructions for the church today, you will be inadvertently putting yourself under the bondage of a works-based, law-abiding religious system that Israel was under in both their Old and New Covenants. Walking by the law is weak and beggarly (Gal 4:9); free yourself from the shackles of religion and walk by faith alone in Christ!
