MZTV 1799: Two Perfect Examples of How Not to Believe Paul

There has been a bit of a sect forming, the members of which deny that believers at the dais of Christ will receive wages (1 Corinthians 3:8-15). It is thought to be "unfair" that God would reward anyone "saved by grace." The sectarians fail to understand that wages aren't for salvation, but for service. But as soon as a teacher articulates the Pauline truth of "wages for service," the sectarians assume that the teacher must be teaching human free will.

The basic principle that God judges people He makes hard and rewards people through whom He does the work, is not understood. The basic principle of the relative vs. the absolute viewpoint, is not understood. Instead, it is assumed by the sectarians that any service rendered by a member of the body of Christ, if it is rewarded by God, MUST have been a product of human free will. This is a failure to understand the basic principle that God both rewards and de-rewards (or judges) vessels HE is ultimately responsible for.

It hearkens back to the protester of Romans 9:19, "Why is He still blaming, for who has withstood His intention?" The corollary misunderstanding would be, "Why is He still rewarding, for who has done anything that HE hasn't done through them?"

The ultimate answer, of course, is Paul's answer (paraphrased) to the protester: "Who the hell are you, o human, to question God?"

And yet question they do! What we are seeing is the protester of Romans 9:19 infecting the modern-day body of Christ. These protesters simply don't like the way God operates. If they were God, you see, they would operate things differently. And so I graciously let these folks tell us, via the comment section of this channel, how displeased they are with God's methods, and what THEY would do if THEY were God. Others are graciously allowed by your's truly to explain what Paul MEANT to say in various passages. I'm not into deleting comments, but let me tell you—I've been tempted!

A slightly different misunderstanding (though it is certainly related) exists concerning those body of Christ members (I don't know of any) who, being engaged in various works of the flesh, "will not be enjoying the allotment of the kingdom" (Galatians 5:19-21). THIS truth, as we shall see in today's edition of MZTV, is categorically denied by some. Again, a missing out on reward seems to the objectors to be a denial of the grace of God, and a denial that body of Christ members are justified. Once again, the underlying problem is the objectors' failure to appreciate the difference between salvation and service—or non-service in the form of works of the flesh.

No one is perishing due to works of the flesh. No one is losing salvation due to works of the flesh. But clearly (that is, if one is able to read the Galatians passage for what it says–ah, THAT'S the challenge), works of the flesh keep justified believers from "enjoying the allotment of the kingdom," which is a place of ruling and reigning in Christ.

Oh, how they love to shoot the messenger.

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